Eisen-ELI Abstract

Second Language Methodology in the New Standards-Based Proficiency Environment: Professional Development for Preservice and Practicing Teachers at the K-12 Levels

Sponsoring Organization and Address

Oregon State University
English Language Institute
ELI, OSU
301 Snell Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-1632
Phone: 541-737-2464
Fax: 541-737-0871

Cooperating Agencies/School Districts

Corvallis School District 509J
Albany School District 8J
Lincoln County School District

Project Directors and Faculty

Joyce Bryan

English Language Institute, OSU

Email: joyce.bryan@orst.edu

Eileen Waldschmidt

School of Education, OSU
Email: waldsche@orst.edu

Deborah Healey

English Language Institute, OSU
Email: deborah.healey@orst.edu

Jim Cassidy

Foreign Languages, OSU
Email: jcassidy@orst.edu

Melinda Sayavedra

School of Education, OSU
Email: sayavedl@ucs.orst.edu

Purpose of the Project

This project will provide sustained training opportunities for incorporating current second language methodology into the new standards-based proficiency environment. Participants will include Oregon State University's School of Education and Foreign Language Professional Teachers Education Program (PTEP) cohort as well as practicing ESOL, Foreign Language, and Bilingual teachers in the Benton, Linn, and Lincoln County school districts.

Type of Training Improvements

Preservice and practicing teachers will be partnered for professional development sessions, including

• October 22, 1999: Incorporating current methodology into a standards-based proficiency environment
• November 12, 1999: Adapting and developing curricular material to meet learner needs
• February 3 and 4, 2000: Integrating technology into existing curricula
• April 13 and 14, 2000: Conducting proficiency-based assessments

On-site observations will also take place. Follow-up will include online consultation via a mailing list, a project website for sharing material, newsletters, and a culminating symposium.

The training is intended to do the following:

1. Help teachers incorporate current second language methodology into the new standards-based proficiency environment via professional development sessions including:
   • adapting and developing curricular materials to meet learner needs while simultaneously targeting specific proficiency-based benchmarks identified in the state plan;
   • integrating electronic technology into existing curricular models; tailoring electronic materials to accommodate student needs and the electronic environment at each site;
   • conducting proficiency-based assessments (ACTFL and PASS); correlating testing standards with proficiency-based benchmarks identified in the state plan.
2. Identify and train resource specialists in cross-cultural awareness who will then disseminate information within their districts.
3. Enhance the preservice educational program for the PTEP cohort by providing opportunities for direct collaboration with practicing teachers.
4. Establish ongoing follow-up to each professional development session via the World Wide Web and site visits by the project team and PTEP students.

Outcomes Expected

1. Implementation of skills and strategies to incorporate current methodology into the new standards-based proficiency environment.
2. Further understanding of cultural and linguistic components in second language classes.
3. Development of a core group of language teachers trained in the use of electronic technology.
4. Enhancement of the preservice training of the PTEP cohort.
5. Dissemination of materials via the Web.
6. Creation of resource specialists in cross-cultural awareness who will disseminate information within their districts.
7. Application of proficiency-based assessments.
8. Establishment of ongoing professional links among the participating teachers, the preservice PTEP students, the project team, and other representatives of university teacher training institutions.

Participants

• Practicing teachers: 40
• Preservice teachers: 40-80
• Others: TBA

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