News: TBL 2012 Conference in Japan

http://tblsig.org/conference

LTT 1000 Posts!

We've reached our 1000th post! Thanks to all of our readers for your interest in the site and our writers for contributing great content!

News: 2nd FLTAL Conference, 2012

http://fltal.ibu.edu.ba/

News: I Encuentro ProfELE Conference Göttingen 2012

http://www.edinumen.es/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=4&Itemid=104&lang=es

German Video: Hape Kerkeling videos (comedy)

Chris here again with a few more funny videos I found featuring German comedian Hape Kerkeling. These are more geared towards advanced learners. Enjoy!

News: Dual-Language learning on the rise

Dual language programs in elementary schools are increasing throughout the country, especially in California. While most of the programs teach Spanish, Mandarin is on the rise as well. While these programs have many advocates, the debate among experts whether they are the best way to help English language learners is ongoing. You can read more via the article linked below:

Dual-Language learning on the rise

Useful Websites: CAPL

Chris here again with a useful site for fellow language teachers, especially fellow German teachers! CAPL features many high quality pictures for use in your classrooms. Photos are free to use! Hopefully you find this resource useful for your lessons!

http://capl.washjeff.edu/browse.php

News: High school German club fights to resurrect program

In 2009 Tigard High School in Oregon started phasing out German language classe because of declining interest and budget pressures. However, the program could see a reversal of fortunes as group of students in Tigard's German club is now appealing to the school board to revive the program. In general, German language study in America has decreased, despite Germany's growing importance in the world economy. You can read more about the student group's efforts in the article linked below:

High school German club fights to resurrect program

News: Money saving merger in Cali. sparks concern

The Encinitas Union School District is looking at combining onto one campus its Dual Language Immersion classes, currently taught at two separate schools, as part of an overall effort to cope a $5.4 million shortfall in state funding this year. The potential move has however sparked concern among some parents whose children would be affected by the change. These parents have objected to the proposal because some students would be forced to change schools. For more information, please view the article linked below:

Money saving merger in Cali. sparks concern

Jobs: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy adjunct position

There will be an opening for an adjunct position at IMSA next year. The
notice is 
posted on the IMSA website. Here is the link:
 
https://www3.imsa.edu/working/vacancies/FAC-ADJG-WS 
 
It involves teaching of an advanced German IV/V section. This section is 
tentatively scheduled in the mornings for next year.
 
For more information please contact Agnieszka Michalak at amichal@imsa.edu
or at 630 907 5881.

Jobs: German Saturday School Boston, MA

The German Saturday School Boston, one of the oldest language schools in the
country, is looking to fill several teaching positions for the 2012/13
school year. Applicants should have the following background:
 
- native fluency in German
- a teaching degree along with teaching experience
- a flexible and enthusiastic personality
 
Classes will take place on approx. 30 Saturdays September through May from
9.30AM to 12.30PM at the Diamond Middle School in Lexington, MA. Some
afternoon attendance for faculty meetings is required. To learn more about
our school, the curriculum, the open position, or to submit an application,
please contact Claudia Bonmassar
at principal@germansaturdayschoolboston.org.  

Jobs: Twin Cities German Immersion School

Twin Cities German Immersion School
 
Location:          St. Paul, MN
Positions: 
       Kindergarten Classroom Teacher (1.0 or .6 FTE)
       5th Grade Classroom Teacher (1.0 FTE)
       Media Technology Specialist/ Science Specialist (1.0 FTE)
       Spanish (.4 FTE)
 
Salary:  Dependent on experience and qualifications; current range $28,000 -
$42,000/yr
Benefits:  Medical, Dental, TRA
Posting Date: March 29, 2012
Timeline:  Applications accepted until hire completed. 
 
Position Description:
The Twin Cities German Immersion School is accepting applications for
licensed teachers at the elementary level.  Class size averages
22.  Additional information about the school can be found at
www.germanschool-mn.org
 
We’re looking for passionate, dedicated and resourceful candidates who are
supportive of the charter school concept; knowledgeable of full immersion
instructional techniques; committed to delivering high quality curriculum
using best practices; and able to connect and build positive relationships
with students and parents.  Our school is committed to principles of
Responsive Classroom for the integration of the social and academic
curriculum.
 
Qualifications:
•         Bachelor’s Degree;
•         Valid Minnesota elementary or middle level teaching license or
eligibility to possess a MN license or teaching certification from a
German-speaking country. 
•          Fluency in German is required (except for Spanish position).
 
To apply submit a letter of introduction, resume, and two letters of
reference to afjelstad@germanschool-mn.org  

News: MATSOL 40th Anniversary Conference

A conference for ELL/ESOL educators

in K-12 and adult, workplace and higher education programs.

http://www.matsol.org/2012-conference

          

News: German job market stays buoyant

Despite a struggling economy, the outlook for German jobs remains positive, as new statistics revealed. February saw the number of Germans working increase once again. This is also positive news for those wanting to learn or who are currently learning German, as Germany will continue to be a global economic force. You can read more about the jobs report via the article below:

http://www.thelocal.de/money/20120329-41635.html

Jobs: Preschool Education Director needed - Pusteblume Preschool, New York, NY‏

Preschool Education Director

Pusteblume Preschool (www.pusteblumenyc.org), a new German immersion
non-profit preschool in New York City is currently seeking an education
director.  The ideal candidate will have several years of classroom and
childcare experience with children 2.5 to 6 years of age, and be excited to
join a preschool in its start-up phase and help it grow.  We are looking for
a motivated, entrepreneurial person with exceptional leadership qualities,
oral and written communication skills, and a commitment to excellence in
early childhood education.   

 Required:
• Master Degree in Early Childhood Education 
• Current valid certification issued by the NYS Education Department
• Prior classroom and childcare experience (at least 2 years) for children
under six years of age
• Expertise in development of lesson plans, and general curriculum
• Leadership, interpersonal, problem-solving, and time management skills
Preferred:
• Familiarity with the International Baccalaureate program
 
Annual salary plus bonus potential and benefits. All interested applicants
please send a resume and cover letter to
lauren.oberbannscheidt@pusteblumenyc.org 

Jobs: German speaking pre-school teacher needed (Brooklyn, NY‏)

We are an established and growing German Language Immersion School in
Brooklyn, with a strong and growing internationally recognized reputation
for high teaching standards.  We have families who have first approached us
from 10 different countries and currently attend from 14 NYC neighborhoods.
  

We are seeking a German native speaking PreSchool teacher for children ages
2-5 years old.   Individual would need to have a teaching related degree or
certificate and experience teaching young children.   

Position begins in September 2012 or earlier.  Individual would be
responsible for executing the curriculum for children in this age group,
which incorporates both German countries traditions and materials and
would have significant autonomy to run the class, which has a very high
teacher/child ratio.  

Classrooms are renovated and light filled spaces and
new staff would receive significant support from a warm and close community
of current teachers.  Salary plus bonus potential.  

Please respond with a cv. and contact details to Simona D'Souza by email
to brooklynkinderhaus@gmail.com.

Jobs: Half-time high school position in Minnesota

White Bear Lake Schools, Minnesota is seeking a 1/2 time German teacher, .4 in the high school and .1 in the middle school.  We have a strong German program in a diverse and mutually supportive department consisting of German, Spanish, French, ASL and as of next year, Chinese. We are a GAPP school, expecting a visit from Leipzig next year, with intent to travel in the summer of 2013. Interested parties should inquire/apply online:
http://www.applitrack.com/whitebear/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?category=High+School+Teaching

I am happy to answer any questions any of you might have; it’s been my home for the last ten years.  Hoping for some rock-star candidates!  --Ted in White Bear Lake, MN; email:Ted.anderson03@gmail.com

Jobs: Youth For Understanding's summer position available

Youth For Understanding's (YFU) Summer Orientation Team Leader Position 

This position will assist with the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange
Orientation for American students preparing for a one-year exchange in
Germany and/or a complementary orientation for German students preparing to
re-enter Germany after a one-year exchange in the US. YFU is the primary
administrator for both programs whose three-day orientations will be held in
venues around Washington D.C. 

Successful applicants will be paid a stipend and reimbursement for the cost
of transportation to and from the orientation from locations within the
U.S.A. 

To apply to the position; click on the links provided. The web link for two
job postings are attached. 

If you have further questions, please feel free to Robin Khan at
rkhan@yfu.org.


CB PDO Team Leader Position Description:
http://my.yfu.org/dept/eandt/Orientations/CBYX/GermanTeamLeaderPre-Departure%202012.pdf 

CB Re-Entry Team Leader Position Description:
http://my.yfu.org/dept/eandt/Orientations/CBYX/GermanTeamLeaderRe-Entry2012.pdf 

News: 11 harmful myths about how we learn

Chris here again. Today we have a wonderful article to share via OnlineUniversities.com. The article discusses 11 harmful myths about how we learn. There is some useful information for both teachers and students regardless of discipline. Check it out and let us know what you think!

http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2012/03/11-harmful-myths-about-how-we-learn/

News: Does foreign langauge learning promote child development?

A recent Babble.com article probes the question 'Does foreign language learning promote child development?'. The answer, according to the article is a definite yes! You can view the article via the link below:

http://www.babble.com/toddler/behavior-and-learning/raising-bilingual-children/

News: German needs a place in the classroom!

Chris here again with your language learning news. I came across this excellent article advocating German language learning and its benefits for today's world of globalization. Enjoy!


http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2012/03/german_web.html

What other arguments can we make for German language learning?

Technology News: Translation revolution via open source technology

Technological advancements have enabled rapid increases in both speed and accuracy of computer translation. Specifically, open source systems have allowed users to fine tune and make improvements to translation technology reaching levels of incredible accuracy. Some of the biggest technology companies have made great strides. Microsoft has released a voice interpreter, while Google Translate can decipher pages of text in another language. According to Sam Dean of GigaOm, the next step is to create a program that translates multilingual websites in real time. You can read more about these developments via the article linked below:

Translation revolution via open source technology

News: Community school teaches in multiple langauges

The Hampden Park Public School in the Sydney suburb of Lakemba, Australia, has a student body almost entirely comprised of children from non-English speaking backgrounds. The school offers a wide variety of language programs in Arabic, Urdu, and Bengali, so children can learn their native languages as well as English. According to teacher Maysoon Alashhab, "some of the students say they will be smarter when they learn two languages." You can read more about this interesting school via the article linked below:

Community school teaches in multiple languages

German: Deutsche auf Urlaub videos

Chris here again. We are currently covering a unit on 'Deutsche im Ausland' and here are a couple of videos I am using to supplement initial discussionsl. Enjoy!

News: Budget cuts threaten foreign language curriculum

A recent teacher survey provides some insight into just how many schools and districts are coping with the budget cuts to their language programs. Budget cuts have affected not just language and course availability but also personnel as many teachers in affected programs have been let go. There also appears to be a concomitant decline in teacher morale as reported in the article below. Has your program been affected by budget cuts? Please let us know what and how budget cuts are affecting your programs.


http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2012/03/a_new_teacher_survey_offers.html

Follow the Language Teacher's Toolbox

Enjoying the content on The Language Teacher's Toolbox? Show your support for us by becoming a follower! We appreciate it!

German: Deutsche Welle - Pulse

Deutsche Welle's Pulse program is a thirty minute show geared towards youth culture and features German and European news, analysis, opinion and breaking news from Germany's international broadcaster. Definitely worth exploring for use in your classroom and for your students to watch on their own! Let us know about your experience with Deutsche Welle!

http://www.dw.de/dw/0,,3047,00.html

German: Adjective endings handout

Chris here with another useful handout for fellow German teacher to share with their students. This PDF contains all of the adjective endings in German as well as some information on comparative forms. Enjoy!

German Adjective Endings

News: 42 Moving Pinterest pins for language learners

Chris here again. Today we would like to share an article brought to us from BestCollegesOnline. Their article has gathered together an extensive list of interesting Pinterest Pins for language learners. You can check out their article here:

42 Moving Pinterest Pins for Language Learners

News: 10 Most common teachers complaints against iBooks

Chris here again. Today we have an article brought to us via OnlineUniversity.com's Kaitlyn Cole. The article features a list of common teachers complaints against iBooks. The increasing popularity of tablet devices is already changing the way many schools use textbooks and other course materials. However, as the article details, not everything with iBooks and perhaps eBooks in general is perfect at this time. You can view the article here:

10 Most Common Teacher Complaints against iBooks

French Video: Ce que disent les Parisiens au bureau

Johanne here again with another video to share with fellow French teachers. This video is about Parisians at
the office. Enjoy!

French Video: Ce que disent les Parisiens

Johanne here again with another video for fellow French teachers to use in their classrooms. Enjoy!

French Video: Culture Box Videos Continued

Bonjour, Johanne ici. Today I have another video to share with fellow French teachers. This is another video from CultureBox. The video is about Afro-visuels au Rocher de Palmer a Cenon. Enjoy!

French Video: Culture Box Video (Gainsbourg)

Johanne here again with another video for fellow French teachers. This video is entitled Gainsbourg et co dans l'objectif de Pierre Terrasson. Enjoy!

News: Practice your German listening skills with Deutsche Welle

Practice your German listening skills with slowly spoken news from Deutsche Welle. This is a great resource for German teachers and students alike. There are many possibilities for activities here. Enjoy!

Deutsche Welle - slowly spoken news

News: The benefits of bilingualism

Chris here again with your language learning news. A recent NY Times article discusses the benefits of bilingualism. The article explores the practical benefits as well as other good reasons for learning a second language. Enjoy!


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of-bilingualism.html?_r=2

Technology News: Microsoft software makes audio translation sound just like you

Microsoft researcher Frank Soong has developed software that could have major implications on language learning and convenience for international travelers. In comparison to other software which solely translates speech, this program can take a person's voice and translate it into another language, while still making it sound like his or her own voice. You can read more about this exciting development in the article linked below:

Audio translation that sound just like you

What potential impact will such software have on traditional language learning?

German Video: Kein Badisch

Chris here again. Today I have another funny German video to share. This video, Kein Badisch, is similar to the Kein Ostdeutsch and other videos. You can let your students hear a bit of the Badisch  dialect. Enjoy!

 

News: Relation between language and identity

Language is linked to self and community according to professor Valerian Rodrigues of the Center for Political Studies, JNU, New Delhi. Issues such as marginalization can have serious negative consequences according to Rodrigues. You can read more about Professor Rodrigues' research in this area via the article link below:

Loss of language can be unnerving

News: Qatar TESOL Conference 2012

Qatar TESOL’s Eighth International Conference 2012
Learner Motivation, Involvement, and Autonomy

April 13th and 14th, 2012, College of the North Atlantic, Doha, Qatar

In this year's conference, our presenters will be addressing the role of motivation and autonomy for today's language learners.  Qatar TESOL is an organization which focuses on teachers who teach non-native speakers of English through the English language.  In Qatar, this includes English teachers (from all levels), math teachers and science teachers.

http://qatartesol.org/je/index.php/conf-news/conference-2012-news

News: International Language Conference 2012

 


“Un-Babel-ing Language: Engendering Global Understandings”
           International Language Conference 2012

Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Mandeville, Jamaica, W.I. ************************************************************************************* 
International Language Conference April 3-4, 2012 ************************************************************************************* 
Theme: “Un-Babel-ing Language: Engendering Global Understandings” ************************************************************************************
The main objectives of this Second International Language Conference are to: 
• Bring together language teachers interested in the exchange of views on a wide range of issues affecting research and practice in the teaching of languages. 
• Enable participants to gain better insights into the best language teaching practices, as well as the challenges and rewards of the profession. 
• Provide a forum for debate and discussion of ideas surrounding the teaching of reading, writing, composition and literature. 
• Create opportunities for collaborative efforts among colleagues for research and publication with a view to international development. 
************************************************************************************* 

Meeting Location: Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Jamaica

Contact Information: Camille Lindsay camille.lindsay@ncu.edu.jm

Meeting Dates: The International Language Conference 2012 will be held from 03-Apr-2012 to 04-Apr-2012. http://linguistlist.org/confcustom/customhome.cfm?emeetingid=1302J84658569A5A408040441

News: 25 Twitter Chats for Valuable Career Advice

Chris here again. Today we have some great information brought to us via Helene Schmidt at OnlineCollege.org regarding jobs. Take a look at their recent article on 25 Twitter Chats for Valuable Career Advice. This is a really great collection of relevant Twitter chats. Enjoy!

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2012/03/14/25-twitter-chats-for-valuable-career-advice/

News: How higher education helps the economy

Chris here again. Today we have an infographic to share brought to us by OnlineUniversities.com entitled How Higher Education Helps the Economy! You can check out their infographic below:



Via: Online Universities Resource

News: Learn Chinese with Toy Story 3 app

Mobile application developers taken a popular Disney Pixar title to create "Learn Chinese: Toy Story 3." This app allows children to learn Mandarin from some of their favorite Toy Story characters. The lessons begin in English and gradually progress to more Mandarin as the student becomes more advanced. The app is available for $4.99. You can read more about this exciting app in the article linked below:

Learn Chinese Toy Story App

German: Switzerland videos

Chris here with some more videos for fellow German teachers. Today I have some videos to share that I found for Switzerland. Enjoy!

News: Pros and cons of Confucius Institutes on college campuses

The Chinese government has sponsored hundreds of Confucius Institutes at universities, giving students on college campuses around the world the opportunity to learn about Chinese language and culture. Accepting an institute generally helps a college's bottom line. However, critics of this arrangement worry that the restriction the Chinese put on schools taking their funding force universities to avoid topics disliked by the Chinese, such as the Dalai Lama or Taiwan. Critics also worry that these centers can serve as means to disseminate propaganda.You can read more about Confucius Institutes and criticisms of it via the NY Times article linked below:

Pros and cons of Confucius Institutes

Does your college or university have a Confucius Institute? How has it been received on your campus?

News: Telenovelas are going bilingual

Telenovelas are going bilingual. The Spanish TV serials will be offered with English subtitles through Univision Communications. Network officials believe that the shows' popularity will appeal to English-speaking viewers. You can read more about this development via the link below:

Telenovelas going bilingual

Have you used telenovelas in your classroom? Are there similar programs available to teachers of other languages than Spanish? Let us know!

News: MindSnacks App

A mobile application developer created the program MindSnacks to help make learning a new language fun and stimulating. The app features six games offered in 13 languages. Each game features 50 levels and emphasizes different skills, such as reading or writing. MindSnacks is available only on Apple devices and to purchase all 50 levels costs $5. This is definitely worth checking out and could possibly be integrated into lessons if enough Apple devices were available. Let us know what your think of MindSnacks!

News: Will Ferrell tackles Spanish for "Casa de Mi Padre"

Will Ferrell tackles Spanish for his new movie "Casa de Mi Padre," which comes out March 16th. Interestingly, Ferrell has tried to learn Spanish for years now but has not had much luck. This might seem surprising as Ferrell is adept at imitation and different voices for his comedic roles. You can read more about Ferrell's efforts at learning Spanish in the article linked below:

Will Ferrell tackles Spanish for new movie

German: Austrian Cuisine - Vienna

Chris here again. Today I would like to share some videos I found on Austrian cuisine. The videos feature several well-known Austrian restaurants. You can use these to supplement lessons on Austria and/or Austrian food. Enjoy! If you have any videos or photos of Austrian cuisine that you would like to share, please feel free to leave us a comment below!