Meeting 06 • 21 January 2010

Version:
1/25/10

Today • my deadline page

numbers in ( ) = minutes planned for activity/ topic
√ = topic / activity that was adequately dealt with during the class
+ = topic needs more attention & will be resumed at next / subsequent meeting(s)
- = a topic / activity that was proposed but not carried out (but will be taken up later)
Struckthrough text like this = a topic / activity that was proposed but not included / is not going to be taken up after all
Italic text like this = comments after the meeting

Main topic(s): Introduction to Assessment; the FL and AL Cultures

(5) (possibly a regular feature:) assessment in the news! PPS trying to improve high school programs, including languages forgot to bring clipping; Erin Watters regaled us with anecdotes about the conference in Hawaii

√ & +

(45) The OPI (media clips) - structure, examiner stance, question types; OPI familiarization workshop manual (1994, 0036); find out what happened at last meeting after I left: (g_bill_timW_30, maybe just first half, or else - somewhat better sound quality - g_pete_bambi_19) - Evaluate the sample and write 1/2 page to support your rating; 1/4 page comments about interviewers tactics and techniques; how to write the rating: 1) state the rating; 2) describe (10 words) the text type; 3) summarize the functions and contexts/contents encountered; 4) (and only now) offer evidence about accuracy.

(15) Assignments - checking in and up: 1) reading, see the "schedule & assignments" page (under modification); 2) Assignment 2: Rate your own proficiency - discuss today, along with Assignment 1 (reflection about assessment experience and news article); 3) Assignment 3: do a pseudo-OPI - are we ready to activate it?

(5) Demographic survey: participants' previous coursework and work experience; language inventory

+

(40) The (withdrawn) ACTFL language-specific guidelines for German (0033a & 0033b, with culture guidelines and grammar grids!) - but NOT before we (a) recall a need for respecting (not just questioning) authority and (b) try mapping some grammatical features (pronouns? past tenses? acc-dat prepositions? past perfect? Konjunktiv [I? II?] onto the proficiency levels)


Upcoming class meetings

21 January: Assignment 2 (evaluate your own speaking proficiency) is DUE TODAY

(10) Demographic "survey": backgrounds and professional interests of instructor; is happening by bits and pieces

26 & 28 January: expanding ACTFL standards into testing other modalities

Upcoming assignment(s)

This section offers a PREVIEW, not activated assignments. Assignments are made, with announcement of their deadlines, both in class and on the "schedule" page. The next topic (week 4, 26 & 28 January): rubrics; testing (& teaching) writing

Announcements

The change of the course to German-only participation requires some more rethinking of the syllabus. So I'm dropping any specific ESL aspects, at least temporarily, and we'll resume the discussion in a week or so.

Misc.

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