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Monday, January 22, 2018

Inclusive Teaching in Canvas Series

In this series, language instructors will learn practical strategies for inclusive teaching within the context of Canvas. You'll get a mix of tools and techniques, informed by best practices from the the fields of universal design, accessibility and web usability.

Registration is required since space is limited. Participants can register to one or all of the sessions. You may submit questions in advance you would like addressed at the sessions.

Session 1: Building engaging content and delivery options
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
12:20 - 1:10 p.m.
Nolte 140
Register Online

Session 2: Individual and group assessments and feedback options
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
12:20 - 1:10 p.m.
Nolte 140
Register Online

Session 3: Collaboration options, group work, and managing communications
Friday, March 23, 2018 (Please note new date)
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Folwell 8 (room change)
Register Online

Session 4: Co-teaching, sharing resources, and creating blueprint courses
Friday, April 6, 2018
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Folwell 8 (room change)
Register Online

Session 1-4 Facilitators:
Ann Fandrey, LATIS, Educational Technologist Consultant
Shanna Crosson, LATIS, Educational Technologist Consultant
Adolfo Carrillo Cabello, CLA Language Center, Professional Development Specialist

This series is cosponsored by the PACE Project, the Language Center and LATIS.

The PACE Project is funded by a grant from The Language Flagship.

TandemPlus Spring 2018 Registration and Orientation

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 (Please note new date)
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Nicholson 35

TandemPlus registration is open for Spring 2018. The free, voluntary TandemPlus Program provides language learners the opportunity to improve second language skills while gaining cultural insight by engaging in conversation exchange with native speakers of the language they are learning. Any and all language and culture learners are encouraged to sign up or re-register. Registration at tandem.umn.edu takes no more than five minutes.

Don’t forget! The TandemPlus Student Association will continue to host monthly events this semester, beginning with the Spring Kick-off and Orientation event. More information on this event, and a complete list of spring activities for TandemPlus participants will be available soon.

For more information about TandemPlus, visit the Language Center’s Website, or send us an email at tandem@umn.edu.

Update on printing in the Language Center Classrooms

Instructors, please be advised that we’ve updated the Language Center printers over the break. Printing done in the four Jones classrooms will go to the printer in Jones 5, our Classroom Support office. Instructors should come to Jones 5 to pick up student printouts.

University of Minnesota Language Programs: Other Awards, Honors and Kudos

  • Tripp Strawbridge, graduate instructor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, has been certified as an ACTFL OPI Tester. Tripp attended the PACE ACTFL OPI Tester Training Workshop in May 2017 and completed the other steps independently.
  • Renana Schneller, Hebrew coordinator for the department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies has been selected to join the Michigan State University Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) Partnership team for the third year of the grant. She will work with other Hebrew language professionals to create hybrid and online modules targeting advanced-level Hebrew students.

CLA Outstanding Service Awards: Language Department Honorees

February 8, 2018
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. (program begins at 3:00 p.m.)
Memorial Hall, McNamara Alumni Center
RSVP online by Thursday, February 1, 2018

The following language department instructors and staff are being honored at the CLA Outstanding Service Awards:
  • Brittany Anderson, American Indian Studies & Chicano and Latino Studies
  • Helena Ruf, German, Scandinavian and Dutch
  • Stephanie Anderson, Elizabeth Lake, Margaret Anderson, Ellie Sjordal, The Voc/zes Group, Department of Spanish & Portuguese Studies,

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

TandemPlus Spring 2018 Registration and Orientation

Welcome back to a wintery campus! Classes are underway away, and that means TandemPlus registration is open for Spring 2018. The free, voluntary TandemPlus Program provides language learners the opportunity to improve second language skills while gaining cultural insight by engaging in conversation exchange with native speakers of the language they are learning. Any and all language and culture learners are encouraged to sign up or re-register. Registration at tandem.umn.edu takes no more than five minutes.

Don’t forget! The TandemPlus Student Association will continue to host monthly events this semester, beginning with the Spring Kick-off and Orientation event on January 30, 2018 from 6:40 to 8:30 p.m. in Bruininks Hall, 412. More information on this event, and a complete list of spring activities for TandemPlus participants will be available soon.

For more information about TandemPlus, visit the Language Center’s Website, or send us an email at tandem@umn.edu.

Monday, January 8, 2018

PACE Workshop: Vocabulary learning and language proficiency

Friday, January 19, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
Tate B85
Registration required

Why is teaching vocabulary important? How do we understand and learn the meaning of new vocabulary? How do you select vocabulary for teaching when using authentic texts? How do you embed activities for vocabulary learning in thematic units? How do you work with new vocabulary in each mode of communication?

Join us as we work collaboratively on three selected modules from the series Building Vocabulary: The key to building proficiency, presented by Laura Terrill and developed by ACTFL. In this workshop, we will watch selected content from three modules, complete worksheets, and will develop level-specific activities for vocabulary learning, and will explore strategies for making vocabulary learning an intentional part of instruction. Participants are encouraged to bring a sample authentic text (e.g., text, imagery) to practice integrating ideas presented. Each module will take roughly one hour, and participants are welcome to attend part or all of the workshop. However, everyone planning to attend must register. Refreshments will be provided.



Facilitators:
Cecily Brown, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Hossam Elsherbiny, Department of Asian Languages and Literatures
Dan Soneson, CLA Language Center
Adolfo Carrillo Cabello, CLA Language Center

The PACE Project is funded by a grant from The Language Flagship.