I got this from Norm Veilleux in Canada:
Ben,
Just came across this:
http://www.everydaylanguagelearner.com/2011/10/31/ideas-for-reinventing-americas-language-education-system/
Some pretty radical input-friendly stuff. I’m very much headed in this direction and have already implemented some of these ideas, as have many of us in the TPRS community. My newest project is using a Moodle site as the base for my grade 12’s. The course is very independent and students have to take responsibility for choosing materials and activities. It’s scary for me and them, but those who are motivated are flying because of the freedom and/or because they need marks for university next year. My role is very different. I am much more a coach and cheerleader helping them reflect, find resources, shooting the shit about our lives, story asking and telling in small groups, all in French. They are in the middle of presenting portfolios and trying to make a case for the levels they are trying to achieve.
A big focus of the course is how languages are acquired and what works for them. They will have to write a letter to next year’s incoming students explaining what they should do to be successful language learners based on their experiences over the years and especially this year.
We are in a computer lab that has a seating area for non-computer related activities. As the article mentions, there is so much good stuff on the web that is interesting and motivating and comprehensible because of the different software available that helps comprehension.
Here is the login page for my Moodle site if you are interested in seeing how the course is structured at this point.
http://abelmoodle.abel.yorku.ca/moodle/course/view.php?id=121
I think you have to create an account to view it.
Modifications to come for sure, but I think I’m on to something. We’ll see by the end of the year and evaluate then.
Norm
The Problem with CI
Jeffrey Sachs was asked what the difference between people in Norway and in the U.S. was. He responded that people in Norway are happy and