Teaching for Proficiency in Dual Language Immersion

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Length:
3-Day
Format:
Online–Synchronous
Instructors:
Kerrie Neu and Johanna Watzinger-Tharp

This popular summer institute, designed especially for K-12 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) practitioners, will introduce participants to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, which have served as a framework for language assessment and instruction across levels since their initial publication in 1982. Participants will examine how the proficiency levels and sublevels have been defined and, also, how they have evolved over time from focusing on oral language assessment to include all modes of communication. The presenters will also share research on assessing performance toward proficiency of DLI students.

With an understanding of the proficiency framework, participants will apply the guidelines as an organizing principle to DLI classrooms, syllabi, and lesson planning, with the goal of developing lessons, learning tasks, and classroom-based, formative assessments that are consistent with a proficiency-based approach in a dual language immersion context.


Logo for the University of Utah Second Language Teaching & Research Center

This summer institute is co-sponsored by the Second Language Teaching and Research Center (L2TReC).

Target Audience:

This institute is designed for pre- or in-service teachers as well as program administrators of all languages who work in a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) context, both at the elementary and secondary levels.

Program Schedule

9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Central Time)

Expand all

Day 1

The Proficiency Framework: Theory and Research

  • The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
  • Assessment Criteria
  • The Guidelines in the Classroom

Day 2

Teaching for Proficiency

  • Proficiency and Performance
  • Proficiency Research
  • Content and Language
  • The CAPA Model

Day 3

Classroom Strategies and Lesson Planning

  • Unit Design Template
  • Proficiency Levels
  • Strategies for Oral Language Production

Instructors

Kerrie Neu

Kerrie Neu is a district coordinator for the Dual Language Immersion programs at Granite School District in Utah. She is also an independent educational consultant, with a background in elementary education, early childhood, mathematics, and language acquisition, who creates curriculum and provides professional development for teachers.

Johanna Watzinger-Tharp

Johanna Watzinger-Tharp is professor emerita (University of Utah). Until 2023, she taught in the Department of Linguistics and has served as L2TReC research coordinator. Currently, she serves as co-chair of the 9th International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education. Together with Fernando Rubio, she has conducted large-scale research on proficiency attainment of elementary and secondary DLI students.

This class helped me get to a deep understanding of what proficiency is and how to get my students to attain it. I can't wait to try these strategies in my classroom!–Tamrah Munk, 2024 institute participant

*IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THIS SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE INSTITUTE:

  • Recommended Book: The book The Teacher Clarity Playbook, Grades K-12: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for Organized, Effective Instruction is recommended for this online institute. The paperback spiral-bound version of the book (ISBN: 978-1544339818) is approximately $30 USD; the cost of an ebook version from Amazon is approximately $15. You may also be able to request a copy from your school or university library.
  • This 3-day synchronous online institute will run from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (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.