1. Language learning in the USA

2. Now that you know a bit about education in the US, what do you think language learning looks like in the United States? How do you think it is different of similar to here?

3. Basic Facts about Foreign Language Instruction in Schools
Foreign language in elementary schools
31%
54% private and 24% public
Only 78% and 51% respectably in these schools actually received instruction
Foreign language in secondary schools
86%
Most kids including myself begin language in middle school
Language survey
Choose a language in 8th grade

4. Foreign Language Specifics
Foreign language in elementary school is usually taught by a seperate teacher who enters into the classroom a few hours a week
33% of foreign language speakers are native speakers
Foreign language is only used for about 22% of the time
How does this compare to your experience in Spain?

5. What languages do students in the US study?

7. Bilingual Education
Bilingual education is typically for ELL not focused on creating bilingual speakers generally
Bilingual education controversy and history
Bilingual education models:
Two-way bilingual programs
One-way early exit
One-way late exit

8. Recent history of Foreign Language Instruction
Foreign language instruction lost all importance in the 1960’s and 1970’s because of budget cuts
Then, the the 1980’s foreign language became more of an interest as more immigrants came to the US
Today, foreign language education depends a lot on the state you live in
Arizona vs. Texas

9. History of L2 learning methods in the US
Grammar Translation Method
Translation and memorization
Direct Method
Teaching concepts and vocabulary through pantomiming and real life objects
More focus on spoken language
Audiolingual method
Behaviorist-positive and negative feedback
Instruct without using the native language
Drill students on grammar and don’t focus on vocabulary

10. “Recent” Developments in methods and their affects on US education
Noam Chomsky (Innatism)
Children are born ready to learn languages (Language Acquisition Device)
Students generate meaningful creative sentences to learn or acquire grammar
Universal grammar is assumed meaning that we can create sentences we have never heard before

11. Methods that stem from Chomsky and later interactionists that are important in the US education system
Language immersion
(5:15)
Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling
Total Physical Response

12. 5 Cs of Language Learning
Communication
Cultures
Connections
Comparisons
Communities

13. What methods are most common in Spain
What methods are most common in Spain? Are there any methods you don’t agree with or that you would like to try?

14. Foreign Language support today in the USA!!
Today there are both national and regional organizations that support Foreign Language education
ACTFL
TESOL
Regional conferences for Language teaching
Councils for Language teaching in each state
These organizations provide standards and conferences as well as studies to keep improving

15. Results of Foreign Language Education
Results of language learning are unforunately not great
The majority of students who graduate with a degree in a second langauge do not meet minimal proficiency (Question about Spanish teachers)
Candidates for PhD degrees are considered to have achieved a reading knowledge with only the knowledge of a second-year language students
That being said, we have been fairly successful with ESL and ELL programs
Historically, I believe that ESL and ELL is seen as being more important

16. Ally’s Observations
This is just ONE perspective that I have drawn from a very small amount of experience!
In the United States, textbooks are utilized less and the focus is more on communication whether it is correct or not
Early on, I was encouraged to give speeches, write theater, create presentations and participate in activities to learn the language through usage
This also means I am not as confident in my grammar
In my HS here, it appears that there is more emphasis on textbooks and grammar memorization. Students do much better with those aspects than American students. However, they are also more worried about using the language and making mistakes in communication.

17. My thoughts on results
I think that there is a higher success rate with fluency here in Spain. Students and teachers have consistently higher levels of speaking than teachers and students thatI know in the US. Students are also more highly motivated.
But, in my opinion, listening and creative usage of the language may be a bit lower than their American counterparts.
This means, that if we can combine the strengths of Spanish language learning with strengths of American language learning we will have
more success in teaching our students
well rounded knowledge of both Spanish
and English!!!

18. Questions or comments?