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STARTALK Certification Summit December 2009. Innovations in World Language Teacher Certification in Washington State Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D. World Languages Program Supervisor Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction michele.aoki@k12.wa.us. Innovations in Washington.
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STARTALK Certification Summit December 2009 Innovations in World Language Teacher Certification in Washington State Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D. World Languages Program Supervisor Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction michele.aoki@k12.wa.us
Innovations in Washington • Alternative Route Certification for World Languages • New Endorsement Competencies defined for World Languages • New State Tests for prospective World Language teachers • Visiting Teachers from Abroad
Alternative Route Certification • Provide performance-based alternative routes aimed at recruiting candidates to teaching in statewide subject matter/geographic shortage areas • Working professional with a baccalaureate and subject matter expertise in a shortage area • Summer plus 1 year mentored internship http://www.pesb.wa.gov/AlternativeRoutes/AltRoutesFAQ.asp
Alternative Route Certification for World Languages • STARTALK has funded cohorts of Chinese teachers to complete Alternative Route Certification through Pacific Lutheran University • Foreign Language Methods course taught through University of Washington Extension in the spring • Teachers participate in practicum by teaching in summer language camps
New Endorsement Competencies for WL (2007) • Child and Adolescent Development, Individuality and Diversity • Language and Culture • Language Acquisition/Teaching • Learning Environment • Assessment • Language Competency/Proficiencies • Professional Development http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/profed/2007Standards/WorldLanguage.pdf http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/profed/2007Standards/WorldLanguage.pdf
WEST-E for World Languages • Washington Educator Skills Test – Endorsement (WEST-E) for WL • General test for ALL prospective World Language teachers • Based on knowledge areas from World Language Competencies adopted in 2007 • Similar to WEST-E for Bilingual Ed • Developed by Pearson Publishing (with Washington language teachers) • Required beginning January, 2010
ACTFL Tests of Proficiency • American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Assessments • OPI – Oral Proficiency Interview(or OPIc – OPI computer-based) • WPT – Writing Proficiency Test • New minimum proficiency level: Advanced Low • Appropriate to complete these assessments before entering teacher education program
Why Important • WA used Praxis II tests for commonly taught languages (e.g., Spanish, French) and ACTFL OPI for others (at Intermediate High) • No test of knowledge of language acquisition, standards, assessment, etc. • Original plan had been to develop 9 WEST-E tests for “Designated World Languages” • Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Latin, Swedish, Norwegian • Would exclude languages like Arabic, Hindi
Visiting Teachers from Abroad • Memoranda of Understanding • Mexico • Spain • OSPI facilitates J-1 visas • College Board/NCSSFL/Hanban • China • District contracts with College Board • Currently 4 visiting teachers in Seattle
For More Information Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D. michele.aoki@k12.wa.us (360) 725-6129 http://www.k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages/