Presentations, Workshops, and Special Events

CARLA sponsors a series of lunchtime presentations and workshops during the academic year and also offers a number of other special events, such as the CARLA Open House each fall. These presentations are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Locations can be found on the University map website at: http://www.onestop.umn.edu/Maps/

CARLA at the ACTFL Annual Convention in San Diego

Several faculty and staff members within the CARLA network will be participating at the following sessions at ACTFL this year. We invite you to attend these sessions!

Communicating Grammatically: Evaluating a Learner Strategies Website for Spanish Grammar
Fri, Nov 20 - 5:00pm - 6:00pm
San Diego Convention Center / Room 21
Presenters: Andrew Cohen and Angela Pinilla-Herrera (University of Minnesota)

This presentation reports on the evaluation of a website providing strategies for learning problematic grammatical structures. While focused on Spanish grammar, the website uses English to convey grammar strategy information, and is intended to serve as a template for the construction of a similar website for learners of any language.

Promoting and Supporting Hmong Students’ Heritage Language: Credit by Assessment
Sat, Nov 21 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm
San Diego Convention Center / Room 27A
Presenters: Gaelle Berg (Minneapolis Public Schools) and Ursula Lentz (CARLA)

Heritage languages of English language learners are a valuable resource for the students and their communities. Credit by examination is evidence of value placed on students’ heritage languages. This session presents development of a Hmong proficiency assessment for students to earn credit and earn the Minnesota world language proficiency certificate.

Oral Proficiency Development of K-8 Spanish Immersion Students
Sat, Nov 21 - 5:30pm - 6:30pm
San Diego Convention Center / Room 3
Presenters: Tara Fortune (CARLA) and Diane J. Tedick (University of Minnesota)

This presentation describes a multi-year assessment project, which culminated in a research study of K-8 students’ oral proficiency development involving four Spanish immersion programs. Researchers will present the study design and discuss findings. Session participants will be invited to discuss and problem-solve issues related to immersion language assessment.

Feedback to Improve Proficiency: What to Say?
Sun, Nov 22 - 10:00am - 11:00am
San Diego Convention Center / Room 2
Presenters: Ursula Lentz (CARLA) and Dan Reed (CLEAR)

Timely, high-quality feedback is essential for improving students’ speaking levels. This session presents video clips of performances at various ACTFL levels with samples of feedback to students. Participants will learn principles of effective feedback based on SLA research and apply them to speaking samples we will rate in this session.

Create Simple Web Activities for Language Teaching and Learning

Saturday, November 21
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
30 Jones Hall, East Bank campus
Cost: $35 (includes lunch and all materials), $20 for U of MN-TC Instructors

Learn how to use computer tools for creating language-learning activities that can be delivered via the Internet. The tools are intended for teachers who have little time and limited technical skills, and they can be used on both Macintosh and Windows computers.

Learn how to:

find authentic multimedia materials online
create lessons that utilize authentic websites
use free web tools to create your own webpages and activities (TrackStar, Web Poster Wizard)
make rubrics easily with an online application (RubiStar)
provide student listening practice through audio and video you create yourself (CLEAR tools)
create student production activities with audio and video (CLEAR tools)

Registration form (PDF) is available online - please mail to the CARLA Office.
Registration is limited to the first 24 registrants.

Instructors:
Marlene Johnshoy, CARLA
Pablo Viedma, CLA Language Center
Zhen Zou, CLA Language Center

Co-sponsored by CARLA and the CLA Language Center

CARLA Lunchtime Presentation Coming Up

Exploring Learner Language

Wednesday, December 2
12:20-1:10 p.m.
Jones 35

Learner language is a constant source of intriguing puzzles and problems for language teachers as learners use their new language in unexpected or creative ways. When teachers encounter these puzzles in their classrooms, they need to have the knowledge and analytical skills to determine what the learner does and doesn't know, and the understanding of how and when to adjust their teaching to best help the learner. In short, teachers need to do small-scale, practical research to explore what works best in their classrooms. In this presentation, participants will view videos of language learners from a new book (Exploring Learner Language, OUP) and sample activities that provide a better understanding of the language used by these learners.

Presenters: Elaine Tarone is the director of CARLA and professor of Second Language Studies. Bonnie Swierzbin teaches in the TESOL-accredited ESL Licensure program and supervises Master's students' research at Hamline University.

Co-sponsored by the ESL Forum