Minnesota New Visions: Languages for Life 
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Minnesota New Visions: Languages for Life |
Resources and Background Information for Promoting Language Learning
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his section of the New Visions website includes links and information about a variety of resources including:Knowing Other Languages Brings Opportunities
This brochure published by the Modern Language Association can be viewed online or downloaded for printing in PDF format. Educators, advisers, and parents may obtain individual copies or packets of twenty of this brochure at no charge by emailing the Office of Foreign Language Programs at the MLA at flbrochure@mla.org.
Why, how, and when should my child learn a second language?
by Kathleen Marcos
This brochure pulls information about the benefits of world language learning for young children, including the impact it has on later SAT test scores. It adds more information about different types of early language programs and suggestions for getting one started. The brochure has many additional links and a long bibliography.
Foreign languages: Doors to opportunity
This video is designed in two parts of approximately twelve minutes each. The first part is intended for use with middle and high school students of foreign language. The second part is designed for K-12 educators, including teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and parents. A Discussion Guide accompanies the video and contains preview and postview activities to help educators in facilitating discussion of both parts of the video.
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Promoting a language proficient society: What you can do
by Kathleen M. Marcos and Joy Kreeft Peyton
This ERIC digest is a "how to" manual full of the mechanics for promoting world languages. This article has very detailed lists for what various stakeholders can do to promote world languages. It also features a number of useful links.
Making a case for foreign language study
by Kathy Checkley
This article lists the advantages of learning a world language in the elementary school as improvement in future employment opportunities, learning to value other cultures and to enhance mental capacity.
Learning a second language
by Lynne S. Dumas
This article asserts that process of learning a world language aids in the development of a childÍs brain capacity, their vocabulary, and self-esteem. It also lists various children's programs for world language learning.
Fertile minds
by J.Madeleine Nash
This article about the development of a child's brain featured in Time magazine is frequently quoted in support of early language learning. This needs to be carefully read through before using to decide which part is the most useful. You would have to develop the link from it to what you are advocating.
Brain research: Implications for second language learning
By Fred Genesee
This digest of information is targeted at the connection between brain development and language learning. It includes many links and references.
Foreign language teaching: What we can learn from other countries
Ingrid U. Pufahl, Nancy C. Rhodes, Donna Christian
This report compares world language learning among 20 countries and does an excellent job of illustrating the importance of world languages in schools outside the U.S. It describes what needs to be done for our schools to have strong language programs and offer a "world class" education.
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Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
ERIC is a US Department of Education agency that features many resources for educators and is often the best place to get information on a wide variety of topics. Some ERIC sites that are particularly valuable to language teachers include:
ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics: gives information on all the resources available through the clearinghouse.
ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics Digests: Digests are short reports that highlight topics of current interest in foreign language education, ESL, bilingual education, and linguistics. Digests synthesize current research, review the literature, describe teaching methods and program models, and offer practical ideas for teachers and others.
ERIC Database: The ERIC database is the world's largest source of education information. The database contains more than one million abstracts of education-related documents and journal articles. ERIC updates the database monthly ensuring that the information you receive is timely and accurate.
Directory of Resources for Foreign Language Programs
This site provides a searchable database of national associations, professional organizations, state foreign language offices, funders, publishers of language learning materials, centers, clearinghouses, instructional materials, websites, online publications, databases, regional conferences, and listservs. Each entry provides a description of the resource and information about the target audience, the level (preK-16)
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)Online Library
Access hundreds of articles and publications on educating linguistically and culturally diverse students.
Language Resource Centers
The United States Department of Education has awarded grants to a small number of institutions for the purpose of establishing, strengthening, and operating national foreign language resource and training centers to improve the teaching and learning of foreign languages. Presently there are fourteen Title VI Language Resource Centers nationwide.
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Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS)
This national member organization promotes the idea that all Americans must have the opportunity to learn and use English and at least one other language. The JNCL-NCLIS website features information about pending legislation related to language learning and international studies, press releases on what is happening on Capitol Hill, funding opportunities and more. The site also includes information on mounting a letter writing and advocacy campaign for foreign languages under the menu item, Advocacy 101.
National Network for Early Language Learning (NELL) Advocacy Packet
This is an excellent resource for background information and studies on language learning. To order a copy contact the NNELL National Advocacy Chair Kay Hewitt at kbhewitt@aol.com.
Tips for Advocating for World Languages
This website features tips and resources are intended for both teachers and parents to prepare for and deliver presentations in support of world languages.
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OTHER RESOURCES FOR WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHERS This website hosted by CARLA offers a wide variety of resources for teachers of all languages. The site includes information about classroom resources (native speaker resources, textbooks, software, etc.), professional resources (books, journals, professional organizations, etc.) and Resources for Study/Travel Abroad (embassies, exchanges for teachers, programs for students, etc.). The website includes general information, specific resources for teachers of French, German, and Spanish and Minnesota teachers. http://carla.acad.umn.edu/resources.html
Note: Minnesota New Visions welcomes your ideas. For more information, please contact Anita Ratwik at Anita.Ratwik-1@tc.umn.edu.