1st Annual Workshop on Languages for the Professions

Sept. 19-22Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

Overview Four intensive days

Sponsored by Goethe Institute, Chicago and the Center for International Education, NAU

Focused on German (…for now)

Goals: Characterize differences between conventional and STEM-oriented

language instruction

Inventory existing modules, approaches, concepts. Who is trying what and how?

Begin to develop a pedagogical framework for organizing a STEM-oriented curriculum.

Develop a vision for future development.

David James, Univ. of Pennsylvania

Marianne Lancaster, Emory Univ.

Katja Fullard, Goethe Institute

Tobias Barske, Univ. Wisconsin Stevens Points

Ninja Nagel, Barrington High School

Damon Rarick, Univ. Rhode Island

Gisela Hoecherl-Alden, Boston University

Eck Doerry, Northern Arizona Univ.

Motivations

STEM module

STEM module

STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM module

STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM module Many innovative materials and techniques being developed

across disciplines, languages, levels in acquisition process

Could these be organized into a coherent STEM language pedagogy?

How could such developments be coordinated and shared?

How is Language for STEM different?

Student motivations Language is not their primary goal Very practical focus. Engagement = clear relevance/utility Need to quickly gain basic functionality

Challenges for language faculty Lack of familiarity with STEM areas and content Apparent paradox of having to teach something you don’t know Anxiety about collaboration for STEM faculty Lack of time to develop cohesive materials and curricula

Overall vision

Learning based on CEFR

Place modules on framework

Curricula = pathways

A1

C1

A2

B2

B1

STEM modul

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STEM modul

eSTEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

e STEM modul

eSTEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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STEM modul

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Orthagonal organizational frameworks

By content type and complexity:

Measurement

LettersNumbers Graphics

Units

Orientation (upright, sideways,

slanted)

Spatial Relationships(over, under, beneath)

Process description (before, after, while, first, next)

linear vs. parallel

Orthagonal organizational frameworks

Hierarchical Global Challenges

Communication Economic etc.

Concentric from user’s perspective

Others?

AboutMe

Broader World

My interests

Jobs

School

Hobbies

Business

Dining out

City

Vision: Develop collaborative Portal

Clearinghouse for STEM language instruction

Main features: Add newly developed modules Mechanisms for curation/improvement Find modules based on framework/criteria Curriculum builder Strong social aspects (think Ebay + Amazon +

Facebook): Authors identified, credited…paid? Ratings and attached comments for modules Ratings and attached comments for curricula

Next Steps…

Short: Write up results in white paper Communicate initial thoughts, call for participation

Medium: Organize another meeting in 2014 Funding for meetings and IT development

Long: Develop and deploy collaborative website Involve community, organize curation Long-term Funding