Oak Park Language Communities

Welcome to the World Language Advisory Committee's BLOG

Oak Park, Illinois is a unique village where many cultures, races, and ethnicities support the integration of cultural diversity in educational activities. The World Language Advisory Committee (WLAC) is charged with advocating for and advising District 97 policy related to elementary language programs. Comprised of teachers, administrators, board members, and parents, the WLAC provides a forum for discussions and language related work at the district level.

In keeping with the release of the CD-ROM "Language Communities in Oak Park" released to the District 97 Board and further released to the citizens of Oak Park, the WLAC is reconstituting its activities around the goals and objectives on the CD-ROM. Currently these goals are aligned with the emerging strategic plan.

A key goal of the WLAC is to actively present accurate information to the different stakeholder groups of Oak Park in general and to language communities in particular. This blog is a place to increase community understanding of the role of language by sharing activities, trends, ideas and solicit feedback on key issues that face language communities.

To preview the Language Communities in Oak Park presentation, please go to this link (adobe acrobat file 3.3mb)

Please download a convenient FAQ about the WLAC (adobe acrobat file) WLAC_FAQ_2_11.pdf (71.8K).

For more information, please contact:

Kathleen Priceman
Senior Faculty of the Lincoln School Partial Spanish Immersion Program
kpriceman@op97.org

Dawn Fogle Deaton
Teacher Leader of the FLES
ddeaton@op97.org

Partial Spanish Immersion FAQ

The Partial Spanish Immersion Program at Lincoln School was started by a small group of dedicated parents in the early 1990's who wanted to integrate language with standard district curriculum. In 1994, the PSIP started and has grown to encompass grades 1st through 5th grade.

PSIP teaches District 97 curriculum with the addition of intensive Spanish language instruction (listening, speaking, reading, writing) for 30% of the day. Instruction is aligned with national and Illinois foreign language standards.

The PSIP does have a website, but also has developed a two page reference with the most frequently asked questions parents have about the program.

Please download a convenient FAQ about the PSIP at Lincoln School (adobe acrobat file) PSIP_FAQ_07.pdf (71.8K).

For further information, please contact:

Cathy Hamilton
Principal
Lincoln School
(for parents who would like to enroll their children into the PSIP)
chamilton@op97.org

Kathleen Priceman
Senior Faculty Member
kpriceman@op97.org

FLES Program FAQ

The Elementary World Language Program (FLES) started at the grass roots parent level to introduce students to language. It started in 1996 with Irving Elementary School and currently is offered at all District 97 schools

FLES is part of the basic district curriculum in all schools. Children receive Spanish instruction as part of their regular curriculum, usually in their regular classroom. Each class currently has two thirty-minute sessions a week.

The program fosters second language through learning activities across the curriculum (math, social studies, etc.). Songs, books, games, and other activities reinforce themes and skills in other academic areas as a way of fostering Spanish growth.

FLES has has developed a two page reference with the most frequently asked questions parents have about the program.

Please download a convenient FAQ about the FLES program (adobe acrobat file) FLES_FAQ_2_11.pdf (71.8K).

For further information, please contact:

Kevin M. Anderson, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
kevinanderson@op97.org

Dawn Fogle Deaton
Teacher Leader of FLES
ddeaton@op97.org

World Language Overview FAQ

Oak Park has committed itself to a multicultural approach to education. District 97's mission is to " . . . teaching not only the academic rudiments, but also cultural diversity and tolerance, schools enrich
students with mutual respect, creativity, and the joy of learning, made possible by an effective, caring, and innovative staff, in partnership the community."

World Language instruction can be a formal part of the school day (in-curricular), or before/after school or at lunch (extra-curricular). District 97 supports four incurricular programs: Sequential FLES (all elementary schools), Partial Spanish Immersion (Lincoln, PSIP), Exploratory (middle schools – grade 6), Elective (middle schools – grade 7-8.) Many elementary school PTOs support extra-curricular WL programs through before school or lunchtime programs, offered through local parent school groups.

WLAC has has developed a two page reference with the most frequently asked questions parents have about World Language Programs.

Please download a convenient FAQ about the WLAC (adobe acrobat file) WorldLanguage_FAQ_2_11.pdf (71.8K).

WLAC Public Presentation at Dole Learning Center

The WLAC presented to the general public on May 16th at Dole Learning Center it's main presentation "Language Communities in Oak Park". About twenty parents attended the presentation by Kathleen Priceman (Senior Faculty of the PSIP) and Dawn Fogle Deaton (Teacher Leader of FLES). Dr. Kevin Anderson, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning for District 97 introduced the presentation and also stayed for questions and answers.

Attendees queried about Mann's FLES program, how to expand PSIP to other schools, teacher union support of language programs, comparative performance of PSIP and FLES, the strategic plan's addressing of language, and the needs of Mandarin speaking children.

June All Parent Meeting at Lincoln School

June 5 (Tuesday), 7pm to 9pm
Lincoln School Media Room (second floor)

The faculty of the District 97 in-curricular language programs -- Partial Spanish Immersion Program (PSIP), World Language FLES, and Middle Level -- invites all District 97 parents to become involved in the World Language Advisory Committee’s newly created Parent Group (WLACPG) and at the school PTO level as a language advocate or liaison to the WLAC.

The WLAC has set specific goals and objectives for the 2007-08 academic year, aligned with those of the emerging District 97 strategic plan. While much of the work will be done by faculty, these goals can only be reached if there is parent participation.

It would be helpful in preparation for the meeting to review the WLAC vision and goals, by downloading the presentation “Language Communities in Oak Park” at : www.op97.org/curriculum/worldlang/index.html

Parent involvement has been key in the development of our long standing language learning tradition. In order to strengthen and continue that, it is essential to have focused and sustained parent involvement. We estimate time commitment for the WLACPG will be about four hours a month, and about 1 hour a month for PTO (not including other PTO commitments that may be requested by school PTOs).

We invite you to an open parent meeting on June 5 at Lincoln School 7-9 pm to discuss the WLACPG and PTO participation. We urge all parents interested in the future of language in District 97 schools to attend this meeting. We look forward to our continued work together.

For more specifics about the parent groups or if you are interested in being involved, please contact:

WLAC/PG Contact
Nance Zartman
zarticeks@comcast.net

PTO Language Coordinator Contact
Megan Clarke
mclairch@sbcglobal.net

Please download an adobe acrobat announcement, by pressing on this link:
Download WLAC_Parent_June.pdf (18.8K)

Parent Meeting at Lincoln School

Dr. Kevin Anderson, Kathleen Priceman, Dawn Fogle Deaton and parents representing Lincoln, Hatch, Whittier, Irving, and Mann attended a meeting on June 5th at Lincoln's Media Center to hear specific WLAC goals for 2007-08 and how parents could help. Questions varied from how to share information more effectively with parents who are searching for consistent language development of their children, what resources WLAC will need to meet it's objectives, and how the upcoming srtategic plan may affect current language programs.

Several parents signed up, either to be a local school PTO liaison to the WLAC or to be involved with the World Language Advisory Committee Citizen Group. If you are interested in being part of either of these, please contact Nance Zartman (WLACCG) at zarticeks@comcast.net or Megan Clark (PTO) at mclairch@sbcglobal.net.

The WLAC plans to have a social/initial working meeting with signed up parents later in June, with a follow-up workshop to mobilize working committees and communications in August.

PSIP Faculty Meet to Plan for Fall 2007

The Lincoln School Partial Spanish Immersion (PSIP) teachers began their summer break with a two- day work session. Jessica Parra the newly hired third grade PSIP teacher joined veterans, Gloria Arreola, Liz Chase-Vivas, Katheen Priceman and Marysol Sandoval, as they revised the curriculum and planned special excursions and activities for the 2007-08 academic year.

Fall 2007 will see the piloting of LINGUAFOLIO JR. by students in grades 1-5. LINGUAFOLIO JR. is a document in which language learners can record and reflect on their language learning and cultural experiences. It is designed for students in elementary and middle schools. It is a precursor to LINGUAFOLIO which is designed for students and educators in secondary schools and universities as well as adult learners. Lincoln School PSIP is excited to be one of the first schools in Illinois to utilize this program.

Rosetta Stone

As we leave our classrooms for the summer we don't leave behind our daily quest to become bilingual or multilingual. It would be most interesting to hear how your family is maintaining and improving their linguistic skills while on school holiday.

I for one have taken the Oak Park Public Library along with me to Brussels Belgium. Did you know that you can access the Rosetta Stone Language Learning program simply by using your Oak Park Library card and the last four digits of your phone number? As long as you have an internet connection, you're plugged into a great FREE, language program. I'm practicing my French online using Rosetta Stone during the day and then trying out my new vocabulary at night with friends here in Brussels.

The Rosetta Stone program would be great for anyone, adult or child who wants to practice listening, speaking reading and writing over the summer. It is available in many languages, this might be a great time to try out German, Arabic, Italian or any of the other languages offered.

One doesn't have to leave the United States to hone their linguistic skills. Maybe your family has some favorite ethnic restaurants, or great foreign films that you enjoy watching together. If you hear of a special cultural event please let us know so we can share it.

I know several Oak Park families who are hosting exchange students from other countries this summer, and sending their children abroad as well. Does anyone know anyone attending Concordia Language Village in Minnesota this summer?

Feel free to share any ideas you have, we learn best from each other.

Kathleen Priceman

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is the only national organization dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction. ACTFL is an individual membership organization of more than 9,000 foreign language educators and administrators from elementary through graduate education, as well as government and industry.

The ACTFL website is a good resource for parents to read articles about language, curriculum and culture.