2024-2025 Events for Utah DLI German Teachers

February 21, 2025: Utah Foreign Language Association (UFLA) Conference @ Utah Tech University in St. George

April 17, 2025: BYU German Fair

July 28 - August 1, 2025: AUDII

July 30-August 1, 2025: Summer Bridge Institute

November 21-23, 2025: ACTFL Convention in New Orleans

Utah Winter DLI Professional Development

On January 22 and 23, 2025, we had the pleasure of learning from and with DLI Consultant Marie Bouteillon. The elementary DLI teachers learned about using model and mentor texts and worked on project-based learning writing units.  The secondary DLI teachers learned about scaffolding, grammar in context, and Charlas, an interpersonal strategy to encourage students to converse in the target language.  Thanks to each of you for your attendance and participation! We also wish to thank to our school administrators for supporting teacher attendance at our bi-annual Utah DLI German professional development sessions.

AATG Webinars on Dyslexia

Were you able to watch the webinars by Sara Lee, ACTFL 2024 Teacher of the Year Finalist, on dyslexia? Dr. Lee is a German professor at Arizona State University. Up to 20% of people in the US have dyslexia, which means that about 4-6 students in every classroom struggle with reading and writing, spelling, and executive functions. How does this manifest in second language acquisition? This webinar gives an overview of how dyslexia presents in second-language learning of German and then show a variety of classroom strategies and teaching methods that support the dyslexic learner.

• Part 1 - Sept. 16, 2024: Neurodivergence in the German Language Classroom: Dyslexia Session 1

• Part 2 - Sept. 23, 2024: Neurodivergence in the German Language Classroom: Dyslexia Session 2

Utah DLI Core Instructional Strategies

Do you remember the six core instructional strategies from your AUDII training? Can you name them from the top of your head? We will highlight one core strategy each month until the end of this school year to refresh our memory. This month, we are moving to the fourth core strategy: Language Supports!

Core Strategy # 4: Language Supports

Long-term accessible visual supports are key for all language learners.  Instructional walls change and evolve, reflecting the content and the skills being covered in class.  Charts are written in big letters that students can read from anywhere in the classroom. At the beginning of the school year, instructional walls might only include routine charts and seating charts. All charts usually include a picture/visual and simple wording.  Content charts introduce new concepts, e.g. place value in Math or the lifecycle of a butterfly.  They cover the what = knowledge of your content. Skills charts teach students how to use the knowledge of your content, e.g. Math dialogue charts that explain each step of a problem-solving strategy that you want students to use. Math dialogue charts are great because they do not only provide the steps in sequence but also equip students with the language they need to verbalize the steps and ultimately the equation. After you have introduced several strategies in Math, you can summarize all the strategies in a Strategy Chart and give students choice how to solve problems. Have your English partner teacher use the English version of the same Strategy Chart to reinforce the strategies on the English side. 

Useful Tips for Creating Charts:

• Create charts ahead of time (they help you plan your lesson and teach intentionally)

• Color code each step for skill charts

• Provide a visual for each step

• Introduce the chart using the modeling cycle: read it aloud first, then apply the steps while the teacher models before including  students in your practice (gradual release)

• Teach into the chart, i.e. refer to the chart often and hold students accountable to the steps

• Retire charts when you move on to different content or when students do not it need anymore

• You can take a picture of the chart and print it for students to add to their notebooks

• Celebrate taking charts down! It is a sign that students have mastered the concept!

Do you want to read more?

Marie Bouteillon's Just Good Teaching Blog, Instructional Walls Part 1

Marie Bouteillon's Just Good Teaching Blog, Instructional Walls Part 2

Articles Worth Reading

Scaffolding writing projects for our youngest learners can be challenging. Here is a great model that could be adapted to our DLI settings. Read the article and find support materials here.

Celebrate International Mother Language Day on February 21! Here are ideas how to do that and cherish your students' home languages.

Sharpen those critical thinking skills of your students with a strategy called "Flash Philosophy". Read the article and watch the video here.

What levels of proficiency do students reach in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary settings? Here is the latest research  as published on the ACTFL website.

Lernmaterialien

Lernmaterialien vom PASCH-Netzwerk

Alle PASCH Materialien im Überblick gibt es hier. Man kann es nach Themenbereich oder Sprachniveau filtern. Eine wunderbare Ressource, wenn man auf der Jagd nach authentischem Material ist.

Was macht uns glücklich? Here is a cute A2 text for our students on what makes us happy. We can all use a little happiness in our lives! :)

Here is an A2/B1 text about Glücksbringer weltweit. Do you know the traditions of "das blaue Auge" or "Korallenwurzeln"? 

Here is a B2 text to media literacy: Leben in der Filterblase. The article includes audio tracks with students' opinions.

Grants and Scholarships

Languages Matter - Wayside's Monthly Grants and Scholarships

Wayside Publishing offers monthly grants or scholarships. Please click here to see current and future opportunities.

AATG Grants and Scholarships

AATG has multiple grants and scholarships opportunities. Please click here to see them all.

Language Connects Foundation Micro-Grants

LCF/Vista Classroom Microgrants for Language Educators

The LCF/Vista Microgrants Program for Language Educators is an initiative aimed at supporting and empowering those who are dedicated to promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity in the classroom. This program provides small grants to K-12 educators who are passionate about teaching languages and incorporating cultural elements into their lessons.

This program is open to all K-12 language educators regardless of setting. Eligible individuals may apply for grants of $300 to fund a variety of projects, including:

• Organizing cultural events or activities for their learners, including those in collaboration with relevant community organizations; and

• Creating projects that support diverse perspectives and provide opportunities to develop cultural competence.

100 microgrants of $300 each will be awarded between September 2024 and May 2025. Click here to apply.

Would You and Your Students Like to Be Featured in the March Newsletter?

Send pictures and blurbs to Michaela at mclaus-nix@utahdli.org by February  28, 2025.

Please share your hard work and the accomplishments of your students so that we can celebrate you!