3 • Parts of the Grant Project & Their Rationale

last modified:
11/19/14

PART A: Background materials

• about STE(A)M - especially for language teachers

1) Why STEM as the focus of a new attempt to support German?

2) Lessen language teacher anxieties about engaging with STEM subjects, and provide basic introduction to the pedagogy of STEM

3) Difference between today's STEM and the various movements of the past ("New Math", etc.)

• about language learning - especially for teachers of other subjects(and administrators, parents, other stakeholders)

1) Language teaching is often "ghettoized" away from the other subject areas, though it has much to ofter them.

2) Often our allies in other subject areas, though they may be fond of us, have a quite erroneous notion of what is involved in teaching and learning languages.

3) The Proficiency "Movement" as a revolution in pedagogy, though only partly accomplished: the importance of communicative competence

4) Language standards and curriculum: how long to reach which level?

5) Assessment tools, especially the OPI

6) Related standards at national, state and local levels

7) Why the above is good news for integrating language learning with STEM subjects, especially if the STEM teaching is oriented to critical thinking, team-/project-based learning, and communication

• about CBI (Content-Based Instruction) for Languages

1) definition and description

2) examples, including STEM-related examples

3) some caveats

• about standards

1) STEM

2) specific subject areas

3) Common Core

4) 21st Century

• about assessment (still in rough draft)

• STEM + second languages: making the match

Caveats: avoid regressive pedagogy; don't try to "translate" an L1 STEM course (conceptually or linguistically);

Principle: never overestimate the L2 proficiency of the learners

Principle: determine the target linguistic level first and let it drive construction of the L2 STEM learning

Principle: select STEM activities that require communication

PART B: STEM+German learning resources / sources of resources

• sources of existing STEM lesson plans

NAME OF SOURCE: eGFI Engineering Go For It: Lesson Plans, Class Activities, Outreach Programs, Web resources

URL: http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/

NOTES: Categories of learner level are K-5, 6-8, 9-12. Instructional materials are appealing, but maybe too complex or not supported enough for use in L2 classes. LPs include susmmary, grade level info, number & time of lessons, materials list, procedure, learning objectives & outcomes, map onto science standards (NSES & International Technology Education Association), extensions (enrichments). Web resources include websites, webcasts, curriculum fellowships and grants, latest research. "Special Features" are about "path-breaking engineers and educators who are making a difference." (WBF, 09/2013)

EXAMPLE(S): "Can-Do Canoe"

• samples of existing STEM lesson plans

see above: "Can-Do Canoe"; note how the vocabulary covers everyday things and actions (often missing at the IM/IH and higher levels)

• STEM vocabulary builder for language learners

[not yet begun; principle: an IL learner supported by specialized STEM vocabulary can communicate usefully in the specialized area of STEM]

• generic STEM activities for language learners: laptop • lab • science museum • problem-solving math

Example: Basic Laptop/Mobile Use: How (and How Not) to Use an On-line Language Translator

• learning modules created by this project

Das Leben eines Killifisches (Sarah Schoettler)

• generic scoring guide for STEM+language activities [not yet ready]

will combine STEM- and language-oriented elements; notion: If the STEM activity is constructed properly, it will anyway include scoring of the communicative activity it requires

• career path familiarization for STEM+languages

List of STEM study/career resources; list of German-related study/career resources

• STEM as cultural enrichment for learners of German

Bibliography of German-related readings (in English) in the history of science.

AATG RFP emphasized the IH level. But strong German learners tend to be outstanding in other subject areas, including science and history.

• the "Humboldt Project" (link is to its website)

1) For cultural enrichment (see above)

2) As a particular focus of STEM+German learning

• attracting new learners of languages [not yet begun]

1) Background information about disadvantaged/ minority students and language / STEM learning

2) German-related resources (AATG, Goethe-Institut, etc.)

• outreach to other teachers and stakeholders

language learning & cognitive developmnet; languages and international business; language-related scholarships, travel grants, and prizes; study abroad programs

PART C: Supplements

• STEM readings (English and German) for language teachers [not yet begun]

• bibliography of language pedagogy

• bibliography of STEM pedagogy [see STEM bibliography for this presentation, by Sarah Schoettler]

• bibliography of CBI pedagogy [see CBI bibliography for this presentation]

• English-German / German-English glossary of pedagogical terminology

• other resources (apps, etc.)

• links to relevant organizations