Authentic Input and Inspired Output in the World Language Classroom

For: World Language Classroom Teachers and Administrators

Hosted by:

Princeton Montessori School

487 Cherry Valley Rd.

Princeton, NJ 08540

Thursday, September 26, 2019

9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

In this interactive workshop, we affirm that the target culture is the true content of any world language course and that it lies at the heart of the standards-based approach to language education. The best way to delve into culture is by using authentic resources rather than watered down cultural summaries or worse, culture explained in English. In this workshop, we’ll show how learners at any proficiency level can tap into the power of using authentic resources to serve as rich input. Join us as we explore various types of authentic cultural resources to better inform students’ knowledge of cultural products, practices, and perspectives. We shall also explore ways in which we can use those carefully gleaned authentic resources to create engaging activities to inspire our students to better speak and write in the target language. Participants will have time to develop inspired tasks based on their existing curricular themes and newly-found authentic resources from their target culture.

About the Presenters:

Amanda Seewald, M. Ed., is the owner and author of MARACAS Language Programs and Learning Kaleidoscope Educational Consulting. MARACAS publishes innovative curriculum materials and music to enhance language instruction and learning. Amanda has been teaching children, coaching educators, and developing curricula for 18 years. Her expertise is multilingual/multicultural curriculum and instruction. Amanda works with educators and schools across the country as well as in Europe to develop meaningful language programs as well as on the re-development of their world language programs both from a curricular and instructional standpoint. She is a regular presenter at national, regional, and state conferences. As an advocate for language education, Amanda works with legislative offices to garner support for legislation and funding. Her advocacy led to the signing of the N.J. Seal of Biliteracy into law in 2016. Amanda is the Immediate Past President of Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey and serves on the executive board of JNCL-NCLIS. She is the N.J. State Representative for the NNELL. Most recently, Amanda joined the Board of Directors for the Pulsera Project. Amanda is a speaker of Spanish, French, and Japanese.
To learn more about Learning Kaleidoscope or MARACAS visit www.maracas123.com, on Facebook @learningkaleidoscope, or Twitter @maracas123.

Nathan Lutz is the Global Learning Coordinator and Primary School French Teacher at Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey. Nathan is also the national World Languages Teaching Community Leader for Teach for America. He serves the world language professional community in many capacities: he is the Vice President of Programs and Social Media Coordinator for Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey (FLENJ), the President of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL), and a board member of the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL). Nathan is a 2007 NYSAFLT Leaders of Tomorrow fellow, a 2012 UPenn STARTALK Excellence in Leadership fellow, and a 2014 NECTFL Mead Scholar. Nathan is a frequent conference presenter as well as a consultant and writer for various renowned early language programs, such as Little Pim, Muzzy, Global Language Project, and Language Together. Follow Nathan on Twitter @nathanlutz.

$100 Member Schools, $200 Non-Member Schools

Continental breakfast and lunch included