MaFLA’s statement in response to violence against the AAPI community:

Are you a language educator in Massachusetts looking to layer your leadership? The Leadership Institute for Language Learning has opened state nominations for Cohort 4. If you are interested, read the guiding documents on the ACTFL website and nominate yourself here by Feb 28: https://forms.gle/pk3FEgpjECiNJ77s5

Many MaFLA members are missing our annual Summer Proficiency Academy. To keep you motivated here on the path to proficiency here are the videos from the 2019 Proficiency Academy – Proficiency in My District

Due to the uncertainty and restrictions regarding COVID-19, MaFLA has cancelled the MaFLA Proficiency Academy for 2020 and the MaFLA Summer Institute for 2020.

Here is a Compilation of Resources for  Remote Learning from Colorado!

Here is a link to some great resources from CT COLT on Remote Language Teaching

Check out the recording of our Zoom Into Distance Learning session.

Here is  the ZoomIntoDistanceLearningChat-March20 from the March 20, 2020 Zoom Into Distance Learning Presentation.

Volunteers Needed for the New World Languages Framework

Production of a new set of content standards and framework for World Languages has been approved. Now DESE is seeking a team of volunteers to produce a framework that will guide Massachusetts educators for the next decade. Apply here to be part of that team.

Applications are due by September 30, 2019. Facilitators will be notified in early October. Reviewers will be notified by mid-November. Content Advisors will be notified in early 2020.

The following Volunteer opportunities are available:

•  Facilitators – The Facilitation Team, consisting of no more than 10 volunteers, will lead the production of the new Framework. This team will set the philosophical vision and parameters for the Review Panels by establishing the vision, guiding principles, essential practices, and other frontmatter for the content standards. Each facilitator will work with one co-facilitator to oversee one review panel as they produce the content standards. The Facilitation Team will also review the written products of the review panels for consistency and coherence. Time Commitment = Occasional in-person meeting. 1 2-hour online check-in per month. 2-3 days with Review Panels. Approximately 70 hours. PDPs available.
•  Reviewers – Reviewers will meticulously and faithfully adopt the ACTFL World Readiness Standards and adapt them to the priorities and needs of Massachusetts educators. Each Review Team will focus on one of the 5 Cs (Communications, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities) set forth in the ACTFL National World-Readiness Standards. Each of the five Review Panels will be led by 1-2 Facilitation Team members. The Review Panel is responsible for the clarity, applicability, and universality of the standards. Expected time commitment = 1 day per month. Approximately 20 hours. PDPs available.
•  Content Advisors – The Content Advisors are specialists in less commonly taught fields under the World Languages umbrella (Elementary Education, ASL, non-alphabetic languages, classical languages, heritage languages, immersion programs)  or highly experienced and knowledgeable in important contexts in common or less common World Language classrooms (Students with disabilities, Social and Emotional Learning) . Content Advisors will review the product of the Reviewers to check for applicability and clarity in specific contexts. Content advisors will provide feedback to Facilitators to ensure that the new content standards are actionable and equitable in all learning contexts. Content Advisors will also collaborate to create Quick Reference Guides for teachers in less common learning contexts. Time commitment = approximately 10 hours.

Applications take about 5 minutes to complete and are due on September 30^th.

Stay updated on World Languages. Join DESE’s World Languages’ mailing list.

Finally found the time to update H.O.T.  I promise to update more often now that I am retired.  Yup.  Retired after 46 years in the classroom.  Thanks for following my updates and sorry for the long period with no updates!