Issue #11 - Modern Languages Digital Digest
Whilst looking for tips and tools to support your teaching this week, I came across an interesting article that has been much discussed online about the value of an evidence-based teaching approach and how teachers can use research in the classroom.
Dylan William's article is worth thinking about, suggesting that teaching is a profession where practice is often qualified by the evidence concerning direct experience (in class) rather than wholesale adoption to frameworks and methodologies that shift the profession en masse. It might also suggest why debunked theories such as "learning styles" keep coming back.
"Evidence is important, of course, but what is more important is that we need to build teacher expertise and professionalism so that teachers can make better judgments about when, and how, to use research." Dylan William.
I hope that you have a good week, Stephan is heading to the UK this weekend, so look out for next week's newsletter, coming to you from another timezone.
Please let me know if you would like to include any events or upcoming projects that you'd like me to mention in this newsletter, thank you again for your great comments - keep them coming!
Links and Stories
This week saw the publication of the MLA report on enrollments in languages in the US which showed that some programs remained strong or stable compared with a national decline. There are some encouraging signs and suggests that the need for new courses and thinking creatively around curriculum may be a way forward.
This EdSurge post about AI-powered language learning looks directly at the challenges of learning Mandarin and how the AI can support classroom interaction. I was wondering if any of you are encouraging the use of AI-powered language learning apps in your own courses to supplement what you are teaching. Get in touch if you are, I'd love to hear how that's going.
A lesson featuring radicals and translations. (Source: Ponddy)
In other news, Anti-earthquake measures and new technologies have meant that Japanese cinema ticket prices go up for the first time in 26 years. After reading this article I wondered how much movie tickets cost around the world. It's interesting to see that the countries which subsidize their own industries often appear to have lower ticket costs.
By the way, there's an incredible number of Korean films on youtube and if you want to know which ones to watch, then this article gives you a guide to some of the best.
The French company Mobilizon has produced a set of alternatives to well-known software and online tools so that you can live Facebook, google, and apple free life. (via TIDE podcast)
One of the alternatives that caught my eye was Framapad which does a great of what padlet does but without the cost or potential privacy issues inherent in sharing or collaborating on student work. That said, I'm a big fan of padlet, if you're not familiar with it, then we'll run a workshop on its use in August.
I was introduced to Radio Ambulante this week, what a treat and now imagine it will be included as essential listening to our forthcoming podcasting course. I was particularly taken by the info-graphic below on How Audio Promotes Literacy. This week gives just a sample of all the great things this station does and I urge you to subscribe.
You're welcome to forward this newsletter to colleagues in other institutions who might find it useful, then can
Take care on your travels and look forward to speaking to you next week.