Still Time to Support YOL-2005
Year of Languages 2005 Activities – Everyone Wins for Languages!
All TFLA teachers will want to make participation in YOL 2005 one of their priorities. YOL 2005 is an opportunity to expand the public’s understanding of the role played by languages in all aspects of people’s lives, in society, and in the future of human and international relations. Information and form for submitting activities are available on the TFLA website at www.tfla.info
Deadline to submit activity forms: September 15, 2005 for recognition at fall conference; December 15, 2005 for recognition at spring conference.
Address questions to Phyllis Thompson by email or at 281 649 3000 X2277.
Form also available on the TFLA website. It may be submitted electronically to pthompson@hbu.edu or mailed to Phyllis Thompson, Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren, Houston TX 77074.
Teachers are encouraged to include YOL 2005 activities in their programs and to share these activities with TFLA. Everyone participating will receive a certificate of recognition suitable for the professional portfolio, and all the names, schools, districts, and names of activities will be published in the TFLA Newsletter. In addition, those selected by the TFLA YOL 2005 Committee as the Top Twenty will be featured in the Newsletter and the teachers will be recognized in person at the fall or spring conferences, 2005-2006. Activities should be submitted in the format below by September, 2005. Multiple entries will be accepted. Activities will be judged on how well they incorporated the themes of YOL 2005 and involved students and/or the wider community in participating in the power of language learning!
The American Council on the Teaching of Languages (ACTFL) offers information including a participant kit on YOL 2005 on its website at www.yearoflanguagges.org
. Teachers can give annual activities a YOL theme and create more activities that clearly celebrate, educate, and communicate about languages.
A monthly focus for YOL 2005 targets a different language-related theme each month. Teachers may want to plan activities centered on one or more of the themes The full calendar is available at www.yearoflanguages.org.
August 2005 Focus: Parents
The important role that parents play in providing language opportunities for their children will be highlighted. Information on the brain research and other important benefits for students will be emphasized as well as the important role that parents play in supporting language programs.
ACTFL event: Co-sponsor a forum with parent and teacher groups to provide parents with cogent benefits and rationales for beginning to learn languages at an early age. K-12 programs that highlight language learning will be featured.
September 2005 Focus: Heritage Languages
Emphasis will be on promoting the learning and maintenance of heritage languages including Native American as well as endangered languages and American Sign Language.
ACTFL event: A nationwide teleconference will feature heritage languages found across the country and efforts being made to preserve those languages.
October 2005 Focus: Early Language Learning
The benefits of early language learning will be emphasized as well as various program models that can be used at the elementary level. Participating organizations will be encouraged to make presentations at PTA meetings and to School Boards highlighting the rationale for beginning language programs in elementary schools.
ACTFL event: A Saturday festival featuring elementary students who are studying languages will be organized with presentations of songs, skits, and artwork.
November 2005 Focus: Celebrating Accomplishments & Looking Ahead
Culmination of 2005 Year of Languages at the ACTFL Annual Convention in Baltimore. The first National Language Teacher of the Year winner will be announced.
December 2005 Focus: Culture
Participating organizations are encouraged to highlight the learning of culture during this month.
ACTFL event: Culminating cultural program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. sponsored by ACTFL and various embassies.
Suggestions for YOL activities as compiled by the Delegate Assembly of JNCL-NCLIS in May 2004.
Student Activities
Establish e-pal connections
Design/distribute T-shirts
Give concerts in different languages
Have students teach languages to adults
Conduct poster contests and create notecards from winners
Ask stores to allow window decoration competitions
Enlist local libraries to promote a “ReadFest”
Create a YOL float for local parade
FL cheers at athletic events
Have students make announcements in FLs for school
Organize a FL camp or a FL day
Have a FL family class
Pair students with English learners in the community
Have a crossword puzzle contest with commonly used foreign words
Take students to local school boards to showcase their work
Have middle and high school students teach a class in the elementary school
Have students do bilingual storytelling at school and public libraries
Make a video showcasing FLS in class and in the community
Identify foreign companies doing business in your community
Sell or give away YOL buttons
Ask alums to give testimonials on the importance of FLS in their careers
Feel free to develop other activities.
School Activities
Have multicultural festivals with music and theater performances
Publish a literary magazine in different languages
Do cafeteria menus in FLs
Announce YOL at sporting events
Highlight exchange students
Celebrate one language each month
Promote a FL student of the Week
Highlight students and adults with multicultural stories
Give awards to supportive individuals and businesses
Invite guests to school
Enlist help of other organizations like Rotary and PTA
Enlist collaboration of teachers in other disciplines
Educate all teachers and school counselors about importance of languages
Feel free to develop other activities.
