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On Sept. 19th and 20th educational representatives met to discuss moving forward with revising the additional languages’ curriculum in BC. The language teams that met covered the areas of American Sign Language, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi and Spanish. It was mentioned that a framework would be created so that other languages, such as Russian, could develop their own revised curriculum in the future. BCATML Executive Members Kindra Harte and Stacia Johnson are members of the writing the team and represent BCATML at these meetings.
On the morning of the first day, participants reviewed the reasons for curriculum updates in BC. In addition, a representative from FNESC shared the work being done around the province in embedding Aboriginal learning principles, content and worldviews. In the afternoon, discussions focused around the need for concept-based learning and the KDU model as a framework (Know, Understand and Do), which is at the heart of the revised curriculum in BC. This covers the big ideas, core and curricular competencies and content needed in grades 5-12 for all additional languages. The process that the French teachers went through, as they revised the curriculum, was shared with the participants and common linguistic and cultural goals were talked about for all languages. Each language group was encouraged to develop one big idea and then to work through the curricular competencies and content for that big idea. It became clear that each language would be unique based on its linguistic and cultural needs and, as a result, it was made clear that each language may not be able to follow the French template exactly. In other words, one cannot just remove the word French and replace it with another language when revising the additional languages curriculum. For instance, languages requiring different script(s) would need to have a place for that in the revised curriculum and it was also mentioned that elaborations with videos (using sign language) would be helpful for American Sign Language teachers. Questions were asked about assessment and using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The Ministry asked us to “park” assessment for now, meaning this area will be discussed later. As far as the CEFR, it sounds like teachers will be able to use this if they desire, but it may not be written directly into the curriculum documents. The Additional Languages Curriculum Writing Team will meet again October 3rd and 4th, November 8th and 9th and December 1st and 2nd. The goal is to have a draft out by early 2017. More news to follow…
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The Department of Canadian Heritage has launched public consultations toward the development of a new multi-year action plan for official languages in Canada. These public consultations seek the views of Canadians and many key stakeholders on their priorities in the area of official languages. These consultations will provide the information needed for priority-setting and options regarding new challenges and wise investments.
Glyn Lewis, Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French BC & YK recently attended the consultations in Vancouver, BC on September 9th, 2016. He has publicly shared his presentation made to Canadian Heritage. In his presentation, Lewis highlights some of the current challenges facing British Columbia in the delivery of French Immersion and Core French to BC's schools. He cites three areas of concern:
Lewis offered a number of recommendations to Federal Government (Department of Canadian Heritage), the Provincial Government, and post-secondary institutions. Here are but a few:
BCATML's Trish Kolber (French Language Representative) and Rome Lavrencic (President) will attend the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages Wednesday, October 5, 2016. A formal presentation and list of recommendations will be made before the committee. The full presentation made by Canadian Parents for French and Glyn Lewis can be found by clicking here or by following the link below in your browser. https://m.facebook.com/notes/canadian-parents-for-french-bc-yukon/the-next-roadmap/1110986538977966  The deadline to submit your session proposal is in two weeks! Do not miss out on this excellent networking occasion. Submit your session proposal, and share with hundreds of teachers and those passionate about education the knowledge you have acquired within your field of expertise. The deadline is Sept. 30, 2016. Head over to CASLT's website and check out all the details of the submission of proposals: http://www.caslt.org/LWB-2017-LSF/proposals_en.php.
free day-long session, with lunch and cocktail reception included. EF Educational Tours and the UBC Educational Leadership and Management Program have partnered to present a Global Education Symposium on September 30th, 2016 at the University of British Columbia. You are cordially invited to join us and other educators from BC for this free one-day professional learning opportunity where you will hear from speakers, participate in workshops and network with other educators who share a common goal of helping to engage and prepare students to become successful citizens of the world. A catered lunch will be provided and the day will end with cocktail reception from 4:30 to 5:30 This day is designed for middle and secondary school teachers, principals and vice-principals, as well as school district leaders. Sessions will explore ways to build global education into your school and district, strategies for incorporating global competency into the curriculum, and safety and risk management as it relates to international educational experiences. Spaces are limited - please RSVP using the link below and feel free to share this link with educators in your school. eftours.ca/bcglobaleducation Draft Schedule for the day: The BC Teachers' Federation is seeking 16 members to serve on the Ministry of Education's Provincial Graduation Assessment Development Teams. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 22, 2016. The posting and application form can be found on the Federation's Opportunities for Members page.
The BCTF is also seeking two teachers willing to participate as the Federation's representatives on upcoming BCTF/BCPSEA Joint Committees to discuss various issues related teacher compensation as part of LOU No. 10. Learn more and apply on our Opportunities for Memberspage. Call for Papers: 2016 Larry Vandergrift Award for Best Graduate Paper
University of Toronto Press The Canadian Modern Language Review (CMLR) invite submissions for the Annual Award for the Best Paper by a Graduate Student. The competition is open to students who are currently registered or have graduated in the previous academic year. Papers should be submitted before Nov. 30, 2016. For more details, visit http://www.utpjournals.press/journals/cmlr/journal/authors. |
How to post:BCATML's Executive members can add news items here. Please email BCATML president at psac51@bctf.ca or your Language Rep with a news item or pro-d opportunity that you would like to share. Archives
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BCATML is the BC Association of Teachers of Modern Languages, a Provincial Specialist Association of the BC Teachers' Federation.
Website last updated March 6th, 2023 |
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