THE “LOST C” IS FOUND WITH TECHNOLOGY
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, divides the world language standards into five broad categories (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities), also referred to as the five C’s. The mini-lesson group project really opened my eyes to different resources for addressing the Communities standard. This standard has been dubbed the “lost C”, as many world language teachers struggle to find ways to meet the criteria. Many teachers are unsure about how to find ways for their students to “participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world…[and] use the language both within and beyond the school setting”. By exploring Skype in the classroom, I found a whole network of teachers who connect their classrooms with others around the world.
The mini-lesson also gave me way to achieve the Cultures standard while still making the curriculum student-centered/driven. A lot of the time world language teachers act as the expert on language and culture, depositing this information to the students directly or with the use of a textbook. I have found with many of the pre-made materials a simplification or perpetuation of stereotypes. Through Skype in the classroom, students will be able to discover the culture of a Spanish-speaking country on their own from individuals who actually live there.
Click on the link below to read an overview of the tool, as well as suggestions on how to use it in the world language classroom.
INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO THE SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSROOM 