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“ Insure ” the Future of Your French Program AATF in Montreal, July 7, 2011

“ Insure ” the Future of Your French Program AATF in Montreal, July 7, 2011. Margot M. Steinhart     Northwestern University, IL Eileen Walvoord                               Niles North & West High Schools, Skokie, IL Samantha Godden-Chmielowicz

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“ Insure ” the Future of Your French Program AATF in Montreal, July 7, 2011

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  1. “Insure” the Future of Your French ProgramAATF in Montreal, July 7, 2011 Margot M. Steinhart     Northwestern University, IL Eileen Walvoord                               Niles North & West High Schools, Skokie, IL Samantha Godden-Chmielowicz                     Carl Schurz High School, Chicago, IL Randa Duvick  Valparaiso University, IN

  2. Introducing the Session Margot M. Steinhart

  3. Do you know the signs that a French program may be in danger? • What are your resources to sustain your French program? • Whom can you identify and cultivate as allies for your program? • How do you mobilize supporters to advocate for the French program? Questions for Reflection

  4. Recognizing the signs that a French program may be vulnerable • Cultivating allies to enrich the French program • Focusing on promotion of French and its visibility in the classroom, school, and community Organization of Presentation

  5. Mobilizing allies to support and advocate for the French program • Identifying human and material resources for promotion and advocacy • Initiating a plan of action to make your French program more visible • Comments, Questions Organization of the Presentation (2)

  6. Recognizing the Signs that a French Program may be Vulnerable Margot M. Steinhart

  7. Potential Signs of a Vulnerable French Program K-12

  8. Insufficient budgets • Other language priorities • Call for program review • Politics of unsupportive decision-makers Potential Signs of a Vulnerable French Program K-12

  9. Ignorance of importance of French or Indifference • Invisibility of French program • Retirement or frequent Resignations • Inadequate teacher preparation Potential Signs of a Vulnerable French Program K-12

  10. Potential Signs of a Vulnerable French Program Higher Ed

  11. Insufficient Finances • Unawareness of the Numbers Game • Lack of Institutional Support Potential Signs of a Vulnerable French Program - Higher Ed

  12. Indifference or Unfavorable Perception by Others • Academic Reorganization • Invisibility of French Faculty   Potential Signs of a Vulnerable French Program - Higher Ed

  13. Ignorance, Indifference & Invisibility contribute to the demise of French programs. • ________________________________________________ • Sources: • Robert (Tennessee Bob) Peckham, http://www.utm.edu/staff/globeg/advofr.shtml • Robert (Tennessee Bob) Peckham. ”Before they just disappear—Danger Signs for College Foreign Language Programs” Part of C243: French No Exit: Call for Post-Secondary Advocacy, at the July 2010 AATF Convention in Philadelphia

  14. Cultivating Allies to Sustain the French Program Samantha Godden-Chmielowcz

  15. Allies: WHY do we need them?Because, when French is in danger...  decisions may come suddenly teacher feels abandoned, isolated 

  16. Allies: WHY do we need them?Because, if French is in danger...  • decision-makers listen to voters and /or funders • teacher may not have a voice • allies can work as a team for  success

  17. Allies: WHO? Students & Former StudentsParentsColleagues & CounselorsAdministratorsBoard MembersCommunity Members

  18. Allies: WHAT can they do? Communicate Educate Alert the media Organize opposition   Defend French

  19. But only if... we have shown them reasons tovalue their French program, will they be ready to defend  it.

  20. Allies: HOW do we get their support? Create interest!Create excitement! Create a buzz! Spread the word!

  21. Doing what we've always done... Engaging Classroom Activities High Interest Projects Field Trips Travel & Exchange Programs National French Contest French Club National French Week National French Honor Society Outstanding Senior  Award Immersion Day

  22. PLUS... Visibility and Involvement

  23. Focusing on Promotion throughVisibility & Involvement Eileen Walvoord

  24. Visibility & Involvement Students Bulletin Boards Video Announcements Electronic Signs & Screens School Newspaper & Yearbook School Website Teacher Website Testimonials

  25. Visibility & Involvement  FORMER STUDENTS Stay in Touch Invite as Speakers Use as Classroom Resources Send Info to Alumni News Request Testimonials

  26.  Visibilty & Involvement   PARENTS September Parent Booklet Newsletter "Bonjour" Letter Parent Interview Family Tree Project

  27. Visibility & Involvement PARENTS Parent/Grandparent Activities Class Speakers Field Trip Chaperons Fifteen Ways To Compliment Films to Watch At Home

  28. Visibility & Involvement    PARENTS Activities to do With Your Child Study Strategies For French Celebrities Who Speak French Maps of the Francophone World French Companies in the USA Ten Reasons to Study French

  29. VISIBILITY & INVOLVEMENT  Visibility & Involvement     PARENTS Parent-Teacher Night Open House Progress Reports Phone Contact Parents as Resources Testimonials

  30. Visibility & Involvement COLLEAGUES  Collaboration Guest Speaker Colleagues Survey Bell-ringers INVITE AS GUEST SPEAKER BELLRINGERS

  31. Visibility & Involvement COUNSELORS  Letter for Spanish-speaking parents 10 Reasons to Study French in Spanish Colleagues Survey Invitation to French Class or Club Events Contest Judges INVITE AS GUEST SPEAKER BELLRINGERS

  32. Visibility & Involvement  SCHOOL COMMUNITY CREATE ANNUAL IN-SCHOOL EVENTS: National  French Week Crêpe Sale  Mardi Gras Mask Contest Bûches Contest T-shirt Contest National French Contest

  33. Visibility & Involvement SCHOOL COMMUNITY  PARTICIPATE IN ALL-SCHOOL EVENTS: Homecoming International Night Relay For Life Spirit Days

  34. Visibility & Involvement SCHOOL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATE IN LARGER SCHOOL LIFE  French Club National French Honor Society

  35. Visibility & Involvement  ADMINISTRATORS Invite to French Events  Ask to Judge Events Send Samples of Food !

  36. Visibility & Involvement  BOARD MEMBERS Greet at All-School Events Invite to French Events Ask to Be Contest Judges Use Colleague Survey Thank Them for Their Support Report on Trips & Exchanges Send Valentines!

  37. Visibility & Involvement  COMMUNITY Invite Local Speakers Volunteer in Local Institutions Collaborate With Local Institutions

  38. Visibility & Involvement    PUBLICITY Posters School Flat Screen Video Announcements Local Newspapers Local TV & Radio Community Websites School Website

  39. Moving from Promotion and Visibility to Advocacy Margot M. Steinhart Randa Duvick

  40. Mobilizing Allies and Supporters to Advocate for the French Program K-12 Margot M. Steinhart MMS

  41. QuestionsYou Should Ask Yourself How does your community see itself? What is your community’s world–view? Why would your community make a decision to cut French instruction?

  42. Building Support Find allies Cultivate them Include them in French activities Motivate them to lead Allies who believe in the program will support it

  43. How do I get others involved? Identify allies and target key parents Facilitate a network of parents Provide parent–allies with arguments and talking points AATF website The World Speaks French website French Language Advocacy Wiki

  44. When Mounting a CampaignThink About… Who can storm the barricades— Yourself Parents Students (past and present) Colleagues and community members

  45. When Mounting a CampaignThink About… What YOU could do—and what you should not do… What can others do? Parents Current and former students  Colleagues and community members 

  46. What Can Advocates Do?

  47. The World Speaks French Meet Communicate! Mobilize Message Leaflet Petition

  48. Alert the Medi@ E-mail education-beat journalists Organize meetings to attract press coverage Write letters to the editor Contact local TV public affairs departments Call-in on local talk–radio shows

  49. Educate the School Board! Meet informally with one or two members Write–and call–BOE members Submit petitions Get on the Agenda at BOE meetings Be politely persistent

  50. Tailor Your MessageHelp is on the Wiki

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