CARLA Presentation: Tech Tools for Teaching Language - What Really Works?

Wednesday, January 25, 2017
1:25 - 2:15 p.m.
Nolte 140

This CARLA presentation will highlight the results of a literature review of research into effectiveness of online tools for Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Though the measures used by researchers to determine “effectiveness” varied, there was some consensus about which tools were most helpful based on the research evidence. The presenter will share her synthesis of which tools work best for language acquisition, and will provide an overview of the effective, centrally-supported tools available to UMN language learners and instructors.

Presenter: Catherine Clements teaches English as a Second Language in the Minnesota English Language Program at the University of Minnesota and Computer Assisted Language Learning at Hamline University.
Cosponsored by the Minnesota English Language Program.

PACE Project Featured in CLA Article

Student journalist Tiffany Trawick has provided an overview of the PACE Project in the CLA News and Events article Keeping PACE currently on CLA main page.

TandemPlus Spring 2017 Registration and Orientation

The first week of the semester has come and gone. TandemPlus Spring 2017 Registration is open and off to a great start, with 70 newly registered participants and counting. 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 February 9, 2017 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. in Bruininks 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.

Record Number of Courseshare Options Spring 2017

There are more opportunities than ever for University of Minnesota students to explore new languages and culture, thanks to a record number of LANG Courseshare offerings Spring 2017. Courseshare uses technology to send and receive less commonly taught language and culture courses with partner institutions in the Big Ten.

The classes we are receiving from other institutions this semester are:

• LANG 3502 Introduction to Korean History (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• LANG 4171 Beginning Aramaic I Grad Research (Penn State University)
• LANG 2012 Accelerated Catalan II (University of Chicago)
• LANG 3011 Catalan Culture and Society: Art, Music, and Cinema (University of Chicago)
• LANG 2022 Intermediate Czech II (Indiana University)
• LANG 1182 Beginning Filipino II (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• LANG 1162 Beginning Hungarian II (Indiana University)
• LANG 1062 Beginning Persian II (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• LANG 1072 Beginning Polish II (Ohio State University)
• LANG 5112 Advanced Turkish and Azeri IV (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• LANG 1122 Beginning Vietnamese II (Michigan State University)

Although some classes have up to four UMN students enrolled, many were initiated by a single student who requested the course to achieve his or her academic or professional goals.

In addition to receiving courses, we are sending the following courses to other institutions:

• ALL 3586 Cold War Cultures in Korea (University of Maryland)
• CNES 5713 Intro: Ugaritic (Penn State University)

It’s not too early to start planning for Fall 2017. If you have an idea of a course to receive or send, please contact Pablo Viedma, the Language Center Courseshare Specialist, at viedma@umn.edu or email elsie@umn.edu.

Funded Workshop Opportunity for Graduate Students and Junior Faculty

Carnegie Mellon University is offering several A.W. Mellon Fellowships in Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL). Ph.D. students in the Humanities will receive preference, but junior faculty in the Humanities (within 5 years of receiving their Ph.D.), and Masters-level students are also encouraged to apply.

Fellows will receive free tuition and up to $1,000 to cover travel and lodging expenses for a unique summer workshop. Participants can expect to learn about cutting edge learning technologies, how they are changing humanities education, and how they can use these technologies to achieve better learning outcomes.

You can apply online and applications must be received by February 24, 2017 to receive full consideration. Applicants will be notified by March 24. Inquiries can be directed to anorman@cmu.edu.