Yale presentations at ACTFL 2016

The time has come for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) 2016 Annual Convention and World Languages Expo, and Yale’s language teaching and research community is well represented. Below are relevant titles and abstracts copied from the online convention program. If you’re not traveling to Boston for the conference this year, you can follow tweets using the #ACTFL16 hashtag; check back on our blog for links and updates.

Heritage Meets Heritage: Empowering and Supporting HL Learners
Sybil Alexandrov; Maria Kaliambou, Angela Lee-Smith, and Julia Titus, Yale University

This roundtable presents a collaborative project in which college-level Greek, Korean, Russian and Spanish heritage learners discuss with each other issues of heritage language learner identity and the benefits and challenges of studying their heritage language in an academic environment. Friday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ACTFL Confer-sation Corner, Exhibit Halls A&B1–BCEC 070 ACTFL Roundtable Presentations I)

Multiculturalism in Germany: Teaching Cultural Diversity
Kyung Lee Gagum, University of Arizona; Joshua Brown, University of WisconsinEau Claire; Kristin Lange, University of Arizona; Theresa Schenker, Yale University 

Despite Chancellor Angela Merkel’s infamous declaration in 2010 that multiculturalism had failed in Germany, German society has grown increasingly diverse in the last five years. The presentations in this session explore ways in which instructors can bring more cultural diversity to the German classroom. Friday, 1:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m., Room 157A–BCEC 112.

The Human Connection: Telecollaboration in the 21st-Century Classroom
Candace Skorupa, Yale University

Highlighting the unique potential for human connection while using new classroom technologies, this paper will focus on the pedagogical methods and outcomes from four semesters of cross-cultural telecollaborations between an intermediate French-language classroom at Yale University and an English-language classroom at a Parisian grande école. Friday 1:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m., Room 158–BCEC 115

Pedagogical Issues in Teaching Chinese Heritage Language Learners
Zhiqiang Li; Licheng Gu, Northwestern University; Xia Liang, Washington University; Yu-lin Wang, Yale University

This session aims to discuss the key issues in Chinese heritage language teaching, such as profiles of heritage learners, attitudes and motivations, placement/ assessment and materials development, and to explore instructional goals and models of instructions. A historical account of teaching Chinese as a heritage language will also be provided. Friday 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m., Room 152–BCEC 168

Introducing Seniors and Youth (SAY): Language Learning with Communities 
Joowon Suh and Yongmin Cho, Princeton University; Angela Lee-Smith, Yale University

This session introduces a community-based language learning project called Senior and Youth (SAY), which enables learners of Korean to practice conversational Korean with Korean seniors through weekly one-on-one Skype calls. Presenters will discuss its development, pedagogical implications, and possible applications to other foreign languages. Friday 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m., Hancock–Westin 218

Creating Impact with iPads 
Theresa Schenker, Yale University; Angelika Kraemer, Michigan State University

This session shares best practices on using iPads to impact students’ confidence and competence in the target language. Free and paid iPad apps are presented that can be used for all languages at all levels both inside and outside of class. The session also outlines technological and pedagogical strengths and challenges of using iPads for learning. Friday 3:45 p.m.–4:45 p.m., Room 258A–BCEC 267

Designing a Successful Inter-Institutional Distance Learning Collaboration 
Chris Kaiser, Columbia University; David Malinowski, Yale University

To address the challenges of sustaining LCTL programs, many institutions are exploring possible models for course sharing. This presentation will explore some administrative, pedagogical, and technological aspects of a course sharing initiative between Columbia, Cornell, and Yale, and identify some best practices for similar consortia to consider. Saturday 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. ACTFL Confer-sation Corner, Exhibit Halls A&B1–BCEC 413 ACTFL Roundtable Presentations IV

Greater Learner Autonomy in Teaching Advanced Chinese Courses
William Zhou, Yale University

The presenter of this paper will present a case study to show how unconventional approaches are used in teaching an Advanced modern Chinese course at Yale University and discuss their implications in teaching and learning. These unconventional approaches allow much greater learner autonomy in teaching and learning. Saturday 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Room 151A–BCEC

Teaching the Syrian Refugee Crisis in the DACHL Curriculum (I)
Scott Denham, Davidson College; Marion Gehlker, Yale University; Wendy Westphal, Marian University

Thousands of Syrian refugees are making the perilous journey across the Balkan to Germany. While other European Union countries have closed their doors to these refugees, Germany has welcomed these migrants. The panel invites presentations that explore the media coverage of the refugee crisis in the DACHL countries. Saturday 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Room 157B–BCEC 622

Fostering Intercultural Competence Through Language Partner and Community
Yan Liu and Kun-shan Lee, Duke University; Fan Liu, Yale University

The session will present three studies investigating how language partner in a study-abroad program and community-based activities on a U.S. campus foster intercultural competence among learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL). Implications for future study-abroad program design and CFL curriculum development will be discussed as well. Saturday, 5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m. Room 151B–BCEC 668

Linguistic Landscape in Chinese Heritage Classes
Hsiu-Hsien Chan, Yale University

Linguistic Landscape is essential in learning language and culture. Heritage language (HL) learners have to identify, interpret and make it meaningful to their life experiences. Through organized activities, teachers can facilitate HL students to explore Linguistic Landscape in their language learning. Sunday, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Room 151B–BCEC

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