Spanish: El fútbol americano explicado con mandarinas y limones

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Spanish: Reflexive Style

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Spanish: Eye of the Preterite Style

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Spanish: Sexy Back Irregular Preterite

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German: Tonbandgerät – Irgendwie anders (song)

Here is Christina with another great German song!
This time "Irgendwie anders" ("Somehow Different") by the upcoming Hamburg band Tonbandgerät (Tape Recorder).

Irgendwie anders Ich sing dem Morgen meine Lieder. Es ist alles noch still. Die Touristen kommen wieder und am Strand liegt unser Müll. Und die Wellen sind stark und meine Füße sind nass, Und mein Kopf ist schwer und die Gedanken leer. Aus der Ferne kommt Musik. Ich glaub, das Radio spielt: „When you say nothing at all“. Ich spul alles zurück, spul alles auf Anfang. Es ist alles wieder da, nur irgendwie anders. Irgendwie anders. Willkommen auf den Beinen. Ja, es ist ganz nett hier, doch ich kann hier nicht bleiben. Ich spul alles zurück, spul alles auf Anfang. Es ist alles wieder da, nur irgendwie anders, Irgendwie anders. Willkommen auf den Beinen. Ja, es ist ganz nett hier, doch ich kann hier nicht bleiben. Wir lachen auf den Fotos, um uns zu erinnern. Wir waren damals endlos, wir waren Gewinner. Wirf alles aus der Bahn u nd lauf hinterher, Und lauf mit ihr mit, du willst es doch so sehr. Nur ein einziges Mal wissen, wohin es geht, Bevor sowieso alles diesen Weg einschlägt. Ich spul alles zurück, spul alles auf Anfang. Es ist alles wieder da, nur irgendwie anders. Irgendwie anders. Willkommen auf den Beinen Ja, es ist ganz nett hier, doch ich kann hier nicht bleiben Ich spul alles zurück, spul alles auf Anfang Es ist alles wieder da, nur irgendwie anders, Irgendwie anders. Willkommen auf den Beinen. Ja, es ist ganz nett hier, doch ich kann hier nicht bleiben. Es ist alles wieder da, so wie an dem Tag, So wie an dem Tag, und ich weiß wieder, wie es war. Aus der Ferne kommt Musik. Ich glaub, das Radio spielt. Doch es klingt  irgendwie anders, irgendwie anders. Es ist alles wieder da, nur irgendwie anders. Irgendwie anders. Willkommen auf den Beinen. Ja, es ist ganz nett hier, doch ich kann hier nicht bleiben. Ich spul alles zurück, spul alles auf Anfang. Es ist alles wieder da, nur irgendwie anders, Irgendwie anders. Willkommen auf den Beinen. Ja, es ist ganz nett hier, doch ich kann hier nicht bleiben.

Somehow Different I sing the morning my songs. It is all still quiet. The tourists come again and our trash is on the beach. And the waves are strong and my feet are wet And my head is heavy and my thoughts empty From the distance music comes. I believe the radio is playing: „When you say nothing at all.“ I rewind everything back, to the beginning. It is all there again, only somehow different. Somehow different. Welcome on your feet. Yes, it is pretty nice here, but I cannot stay here. I rewind everything back, to the beginning. It is all there again, only somehow different, Somehow different. Welcome on your feet. Yes, it is pretty nice here, but I cannot stay here. We smile in the photos in order to remember. We were infinite then, we were winners. Throw everything from the train and run behind it, Run alongside it, you really want to. Just one time to know where it is going Before everything takes this direction anyway. I rewind everything back, to the beginning. It is all there again, only somehow different. Somehow different. Welcome on your feet. Yes, it is pretty nice here, but I cannot stay here. I rewind everything back, to the beginning. It is all there again, only somehow different, Somehow different. Welcome on your feet. Yes, it is pretty nice here, but I cannot stay here. Everything is back to how it was on that day, Just like on that day and I know again how it was From the distance music comes. I believe the radio is playing. But it sounds  somehow different, somehow different. It is all there again, only somehow different, Somehow different. Welcome on your feet. Yes, it is pretty nice here, but I cannot stay here. I rewind everything back, to the beginning. It is all there again, only somehow different. Somehow different. Welcome on your feet. Yes, it is pretty nice here, but I cannot stay here.

If you like this song, you should go to the official website of Tonbandgerät where you can find many more:
http://www.musikvomband.de/

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News: Some Michigan schools report challenges with online exams

From SmartBrief:

As schools in Michigan prepare to administer online exams in 2015, many educators who are early adopters of the online exams are reporting glitches, computer crashes and other problems attributed to insufficient bandwidth and aging infrastructure. About 86% of districts report having minimum technology requirements in place for online tests -- 20 kilobits per second per student -- along with adequate numbers of devices, according to the Michigan Department of Education, and fewer meet bandwidth specifications.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140128/SCHOOLS/301280025/1026/Some-Michigan-schools-districts-not-ready-shift-online-tests

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News: Will the U.K adopt MOOCs?

From SmartBrief:

Britain's education secretary, Michael Gove, said massive open online courses soon could be integrated into classroom lessons. However, Gove said schools should not expect a directive, but rather will be able to make their own decisions about MOOCs. One MOOC already available is dedicated to the computing curriculum.

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-01/22/gove-moocs

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News: West Virginia school replaces snow days with online learning days

If you are in the Midwest then you have certainly experienced the polar vortex and the ongoing nasty weather we have been having this winter. When these extreme weather conditions strike we are often granted a snow day. As nice as those are, they can bring their own problems as that time must be made up somehow. Rather than trying to condense and pack the remaining days or leaving anything out, why not turn to online alternatives to continue your lessons?

Take a look at how one West Virginia school replaces snow days with online learning days:

(From SmartBrief)
Facing a large number of school cancellations this year due to severe winter weather and other causes, a school in West Virginia held its first Cyber Day on Monday in which teachers were able to continue instruction online. The online learning initiative was a natural fit for the school, which already operates a one-to-one iPad program and gives students access to digital textbooks.

W. Va. School replaces snow days with online learning days


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News: Ind. district signs agreement to enroll Chinese students

From SmartBrief:

The Valparaiso School Board in Indiana has decided to moved ahead with a plan to enroll 30 Chinese students. The district will work in partnership with Lumenus USA, which will provide additional training and support. The students will pay tuition to attend the school.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valpo-high-school-to-welcome-chinese-students/article_20802f0d-d4a1-53b8-9d64-8dbc1398c1f0.html

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News: Should computer programming count as a foreign language?

From SmartBrief:

Kentucky lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow students to use computer programming courses to fulfill foreign language requirements. Supporters of the measure say it will help support students' efforts to learn valuable job skills. "We've got to make room in the curriculum and in the electives to try and drive computer programming closer to the start of that student's high school studies," Sen. David Givens said.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20140123/NEWS0101/301230033/Computer-programming-would-satisfy-foreign-language-requirement-under-Kentucky-bill?nclick_check=1

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News: Reading, language skills improve math proficiency among ELL students

From SmartBrief:

English language learners who received additional math instruction using word problems with tiered levels of language difficulty showed improved math skills after five weeks of participating in the program, according to a recent study. "If they don't get the language and reading when they are young, by the time they get to middle school they are going to be lost in math class," said Michael Orosco, an assistant professor at the University of California, Riverside who led the study.

http://phys.org/news/2014-01-language-key-math.html

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News: Older siblings can improve young children's language development

From SmartBrief:

Among children who came from large families, those with older siblings who were sensitive to their abilities scored higher in the vocabulary test than peers whose older siblings had lower cognitive sensitivity, a Canadian study showed. The findings, based on 385 children with a brother or sister who was at least four years older, were published in the journal Pediatrics.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/27/us-sibling-relationships-vocabulary-idUSBREA0Q06W20140127


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News: Ind. school's Spanish immersion program connects with families

From SmartBrief:

An Indiana elementary school's Spanish immersion magnet program, which launched 20 years ago, teaches core classes, including math and social studies, in Spanish and in English for art and music courses. As the Hispanic population in the district has grown, officials say the language immersion program has helped families become more involved in the community while helping students become bilingual. 

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/marion-county/2014/01/25/in-20-years-lawrence-magnet-program-bridges-language/4853043/

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News: Iowa district focuses on early language learning

From SmartBrief:

Young students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District in Iowa are getting an early introduction to Spanish through the district's Foreign Language in Elementary School program. "Their language receptors are open to the learning of language," teacher Alissa Stanton said. "It's much more difficult when they're adults." The program was developed, in part, as a response to the growing Hispanic population in the community.

http://www.cbs2iowa.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/starting-spanish-education-early-24635.shtml#.UuEwH4geKUg.twitter

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Ed-Tech: Adaptive technology is personalizing lessons

From SmartBrief:

A growing number of school districts are using technology to personalize instruction -- a trend that is paying off with improved student achievement. In some cases, schools are using adaptive technology, in which students use game-like programs that monitor students' progress and change to accommodate their progress and needs. The programs have been so successful that experts predict that, within 15 years, adaptive learning programs will be nearly universal in U.S. schools. 

http://www.districtadministration.com/article/personalized-progress-how-tech-model-driving-achievement

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Jobs: Language Program Officer, Goethe-Institut New York‏

The Goethe-Institut New York seeks a Language Program Officer (German language) starting 03/01/2014. The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. The Language Department of the Goethe Institut New York focuses on continuing education for teachers of German, activities for students in German programs, promotion of the German language, as well as language policy activities in close cooperation with American partner institutions. The Goethe Institut New York offers German language examinations and is developing German language courses for students of all ages and levels.

 Responsibilities:

•                 Participation in projects in Educational Services for German as a Foreign Language, with a focus on teacher training, promotional and advertising programs, language conferences and exhibitions (planning, execution, and evaluation)

•                 Maintenance of teacher databases

•                 Liaison for language course programs at Goethe-Institut locations locally and in Germany

•                 Content supervision and maintenance of relevant pages on the website

•                 Departmental administrative duties (statistics, data, and internal and external contacts)

•                 Providing assistance to Director of Language Programs

 Requirements:

•                 Excellent office management skills

•                 Native or near-native English and German language proficiency

•                 Experience with content management systems (CMS)

•                 Excellent organizational skills

•                 Ability to work independently and in teams

•                 Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel

•                 existing U.S. work permit (no application through the Institute possible)

Offered:

•                 Employment: part-time (20 hours/week), with potential of increase to full-time in September 2014

•                 Duration: Initial contract from 01 March 2014 to 31 December 2014 with potential for extension.

 Applications will be accepted until February 10, 2014. Please submit your application (cover letter, resume and the names and contact information of two references) by e-mail to:trainer@newyork.goethe.org. No phone calls please! Only strong candidates will be notified. Interviews with selected candidates will be conducted in the third week of February.

 Dr. Christoph Veldhues

Head of Language Department

Goethe-Institut New York

72 Spring Street, 11th Floor

New York, NY 10012

 www.goethe.de/newyork

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German: Mensch Ärgere Dich Nicht

Chris here with a funny video for fellow German teachers and learners. This video features the classic board game Mensch Ärgere Dich Nicht with Gerhard Polt trying to explain the seriousness of the game in this comedy sketch.


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Flickr: French collection finished

Hello all, Chris here again. We have finished uploaded all of the France pictures for the time being. There are tons of pics from Paris, Versailles, and various museums for you to look at! Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/languageteacherstoolbox/

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Conferences: 2014 AILA Congress

2014 AILA Congress

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Conferences: ACLL 2014

acll 2014

"Individual, Community, Society: Connecting, Learning and Growing"

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Conferences: ACTC 2014

actc 2014

"Individual, Community, Society: Connecting, Learning and Growing"

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Schreiben: Morgenroutine

Chris here again with another German activity to share. Today we will take a look at a fun writing activity which can be expanded to include communication with fellow classmates.

This activity requires students to have knowledge of reflexive verbs and pronouns. The thematic topic is daily routines and hygiene.

You will need to create a chart for the days of the week and times of the day by the hour. It's a good idea to start at 7 or 8 am and end at a reasonable time in the evening. Provide students with a list of common daily hygiene activities such as sich anziehen (to get dressed), sich duschen (to shower), sich rasieren (to shave), and more. Have students fill in the chart for every day of the week and list when they do which activity for their hygiene and also count how often per week they do it e.g. einmal am Tag, alle zwei/drei Tage, einmal die Woche, nie, etc.

Next, have students write a brief description of their typical routine including as many of the reflexive phrases as possible.

Collect the students' writing and for the next class period create a list or bingo sheet of the most interesting responses from the students' writing. This will be an interview style bingo where students must ask their fellow classmates and practice the third person reflexive when they must find the student who best matches up with the various sentences on the bingo sheet.

Together, these activities should provide quite a bit of reflexive practice across different skills.

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