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This webinar explores the purposes and uses for performance assessment in world language classrooms. Many language instructors and learners want to know the extent to which an assessment can capture how well a student will be able to complete real-life tasks when using the target language (Bachman & Palmer, 1996; Stoynoff & Chapelle, 2005). The webinar will begin with a description of performance assessment, how it aligns with learning and teaching purposes, and its uses for the classroom. Next, we will explore how to integrate performance assessment into language classrooms, including developing tasks and rubrics that will support such activities (Norris et al, 2008). During this part, we will examine one or more typical performance assessment tasks, and we will discuss how to adapt them to your needs. Finally, we will discuss the logistics of performance assessment and brainstorm ways to integrate meaningful performance assessment within the constraints of available resources

Today's Front Pages is a dynamic feature of the Newseum website, providing pdf versions and links to prominent newspapers around the US and around the world. To access today's news in another country and in another language, view the collection via the "Map"view which allows you to choose the region of the world you want to explore. As an activity for world language students, have them research a current event that appears on the front pages of several international papers, in English and in the target language. Use this activity to not only learn about current news and culture, but to explore how a singular event is reported differently by different newspapers.

The Defense Language Institute has many language learning products available for world language teachers to use.

students work together to accomplish a task - and this is done in the target language.  Students can also change the language of the game they are playing, and log onto a server in a target-language country.  They then learn how to communicate with them.  You can ask students to write about their experiences and perhaps give a narrative about the quest they went on (in the TL, of course)

This is an excellent resource for finding target language newspapers from around the world.  I would give my students a country and a topic and have them research that topic (ie, the environment).  Or, we could focus on a global topic and compare/contrast how it is being presented in different target-language speaking countries (ie.  North Korea crisis)

Students are encouraged to write their own lyrics to songs of their choice, translate them into the target language, record them (audio or video), and share with the world.  This is an excellent way of incorporating 21st century skills, ISTEs, ACTFL standards, and more.  This could require collabortion, too.    This project is 'owned' by the students - teachers just guide the process.  Many examples and support available.

A tool that students can use to maeasure language proficiency.

An interesting article from the Language Educator magazine from Oct 2012. Talks about how to use 90% or more of the target language in the classroom.

Do you know why the link says "Access Denied"? Is it a subscription only site?

You're right, Larissa. I must have copied the link wrong. The article can be accessed here: http://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/TLE_pdf/TLE_Oct12_Article.pdf

This site provdies activites for a pletohora of languages for beginning languages learners.

This site is an excellent resource for lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, class activities for communication in the target language. Teachers share several artifacts which can be used in the classroom to enhance student engagement both inside and outside the classroom. There is also a Forum where world language teachers blog about useful tips and issues in the world language classroom. Lots of current topics discussed such as using technology in the classroom.

Culturally Authentic Pictorial Lexicon: This site is a searchable site of images by language and some countries.

Culturally Authentic Pictorial Lexicon

Lingro is an online dictionary tool that allows users to link any URL address or uploaded document and have all words be linked to the available dictionaries in 11 languages. Once the URL address or document is linked to the Lingro dictionaries every word becomes "clickable" and linked to the program's dictionary to view either a definition in English or a translation in the other languages. This site can be used by World Language teachers and students in a variety of ways to encourage reading comprehension in L2. For teachers use, Lingro can be used for created guided practice activities with L2 readings, such as in an online newspaper or uploaded document. The teacher guides students through the target vocabulary to be learned and promote the discussion of its context use and correct translation. For student use, vocabulary lists can be created with the click of a button which can later be reviewed as flashcards or word lists with examples of use in contextual sentences. This tool aids learners with a quick reference for the meaning of words without having to interrupt a lesson or reading exercise for lengthy amounts of time.

This website contains ideas and resources not only for mind-mapping but also creating classroom activities and games.

This site has many great pictures and information about sites all over the world.  The Education tab gives you lesson plans as well for some of the sites.  Click on 'find a location', and you are brought to several possible areas around the world.  Additional information is available by clicking on the arrows along side the pictures.  

An online Web 2.0 tool for creating and sharing student and teacher created books. Great for the world languages classroom.

Ursula - I had Storybird as one of the choices my students could use for creating a children's story. They loved it.

A document from an Iowa World Language Conference Presentation. Details several helpful ideas on possible and effective formative assessments.

Interesting article. Some good ideas about creating assessments.

euronews is a world news site that supports 13 languages.  It provides a different view of news as compared to US news coverage.  

Create online WebQuests which can be accessed from computers or smart phones, iphones, etc. Free Web 2.0 tool  which you can share with other educators or keep private. Easy way to incorporate technology in the world language classroom.

I included this web-page because it mentions a Twitter group I like to check out called #langchat.  It also archives chat sessions.  Lots of practical-in-the-classroom idea sharing, especially regarding assessments.