EmojiEd: Integrating Authentic Social Media in Language Teaching—NEW!

July 9–11, 2024
Synchronous* 3-day online summer institute


This summer Institute is
cosponsored by the Language Center

This institute has been specifically designed for second language teachers who want to familiarize themselves with the implementation and creation of authentic social media activities in the language classroom.

During this institute, participants will take a functional approach to understanding social media. They will begin by familiarizing themselves with each platform’s navigation and features, before seeing a live demonstration of how each has been used in language classrooms to date to raise learners’ linguistic awareness and develop intercultural competence. Next, participants will tour current popular social platforms (Twitter et al., Instagram, TikTok) and identify which aspects of their target language(s) and culture(s) are well-represented in each one’s ecosystem. Finally, participants will design one authentic social media activity in each platform that targets a relevant aspect of language and/or culture in their target community. Participants will leave the course with three authentic social media activities and a list of online resources containing others.


After this institute, participants will be able to:

  • Identify functionalities and genre-specific features of a variety of social media platforms (Twitter et al., Instagram, TikTok);

  • Explain how social media has been used in the past to stimulate the development of linguistic and cultural awareness in the language classroom;

  • Define aspects of language and culture that exist organically in social media posts; and

  • Design language and culture awareness-raising activities in a variety of platforms to capitalize on each one’s strengths.
Program Schedule (9am-4pm)
Day 1 Microblogging: Tiny Contexts, Big Gains
  • Functionalities of Twitter/X/Mastodon/Threads/Bluesky
  • Impact of Twitter & Co. in the Classroom
  • Language-Specific Deep Dive
  • Design a Microblogging Activity
Day 2 Making Invisible Culture #Visible
  • Functionalities of Instagram
  • Impact of Instagram in the Classroom
  • Language-Specific Deep Dive
  • Design a Visual-Centric Activity
Day 3 Vlogs, Lip Syncs & Stitches: Ringmastering the Digital Circus
  • Functionalities of TikTok
  • Impact of TikTok in the Classroom
  • Language-Specific Deep Dive
  • Design a Shortform Interactive Video Activity

Instructor

Amanda Dalola
Amanda Dalola

Amanda Dalola is the Director of the Language Center and Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Minnesota. Her current research projects include the production, perception, and digital media renderings of sociophonetic variables and speech styles in French and Korean, the use of social media applications in the language learning classroom, and the use of translanguaging and open educational resources as open educational practices.


Target Audience
This institute is designed for language educators in late elementary through postsecondary levels. It is not suited for teachers of very young children.

*IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THIS SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE INSTITUTE:

  • This 3-day synchronous online institute will run from 9 am–4 pm (Central Time). The schedule includes many synchronous (real-time) presentations, group/partner work, and activities throughout the day. It also includes some off-screen time for independent work and a break for lunch each day.
  • You must be available to participate for the entire day Tuesday–Thursday as all activities build on each other.
  • Make sure you can meet the tech requirements for this institute.

Priority Teacher Professional Development Scholarship Program

Logo - PriorityThe Priority Teacher Professional Development Scholarship program is designed to promote equity and access to affordable professional development for world language educators who are currently teaching at a Community College, Minority Serving Institution, or Historically Black College/University in the United States and/or are currently teaching a Less Commonly Taught Language in the United States. The program provides funding for selected teachers in these categories to attend a CARLA Summer Institute for no charge.

Learn more and apply on the Priority Teacher Professional Development Scholarship website.

 

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Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) • 140 University International Center • 331 - 17th Ave SE • Minneapolis, MN 55414