 BCATML's Spring 2019 newsletter SPEAK! is now ready for members. Take this opportunity to renew your creative ideas, and get inspired with some classroom activities, second languages curriculum updates and more!
Friendly reminder that BCATML's call for workshop proposals is due April 30th. As well, BCATML Student Scholarship applications are due by May 1st. Members can download a free pdf copy of the Newsletter by clicking on the cover (left) as well as visiting the Members' Only Area of our website. Thank you from the BCATML Executive!
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 In order to help promote the study of a second language and culture in British Columbia at a post-secondary level, the British Columbia Association of Teachers of Modern Languages is offering a scholarship for language students. BCATML is proud to offer up to four (4) $500 student scholarship awards to B.C. students who are continuing with second language studies at a post-secondary institution this September or January.
Last year, BCATML received 14 applications in our inaugural year, and we expect that this number will grow. Both student and teacher must complete the application process and provide the necessary documents. The deadline for all applications and completed forms is May 1st, 2019, just about a month away. BCATML kindly asks Teachers and Administrators to encourage their graduating students to apply before the deadline. You do not need to be a member to nominate a student for this award. Academic Eligibility Criteria: Priority will be given to applicants who best meet the following criteria with supporting documentation:
Please submit your application and completed forms to psac51@bctf.ca by May 1st to be considered for this year’s award!  It’s that time of year again and we are excited to start accepting applications for presenters to BCATML's 2019 Fall Celebrating LanguagesConference. We invite you and your colleagues to submit a proposal for a presentation, workshop, or sharing session at our PSA Day, to be held at Vancouver Island's Claremont Secondary School in Saanich, on Friday, October 25, 2019. Complete the online workshop proposal form before April 30th to be considered for this year’s conference by visiting our website.
Every year, our Conference Committee has the difficult job of reviewing the phenomenal proposals you provide and creating a balanced, comprehensive program for our participants. If you know anyone else whom you think has experience, energy, growth, and wisdom to share, please encourage them to submit a proposal or co-present with you! Workshops are approximately 75 minutes in length and can be about French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Punjabi, or Spanish teaching. We are also interested in workshops pertaining to methodology, assessment and evaluation, infusing Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing authentically, teaching the core competencies in the target language, sharing of resources, and much more! Submit your proposal, no matter what your ideas. Our members have a diverse range of professional interests, and our students have dynamic learning needs which we all strive to meet. Our schedule can accommodate single, double, or full-day workshops. We also encourage you to consider submitting proposals with co-facilitators (even if in a small part) to provide mentorship with facilitating a workshop and to help grow our second language teacher presenters for future workshops. In exchange for giving a workshop, Presenters receive a free conference registration (excluding your BCATML membership dues), as well as an appreciation gift on behalf of the Executive! This will definitely help to reduce costs for you in order to attend this year’s conference on Vancouver Island. As well, you will be able to connect with so many other teachers and expand your Professional Learning Network! When considering your proposal(s), we encourage you to focus on issues such as:
Submit your workshop proposal online via the electronic form on our website under the Conference tab, or by visiting www.bcatml.org/workshop-proposals.html. On behalf of BCATML’s Conference Committee, I thank you for your willingness to share your professional growth and expertise! We look forward to seeing the variety of ideas that will be flooding in! If you have any questions about submitting a proposal, email us at presenters@bcatml.org.  On March 6 & 7, 2019, BCATML representatives returned to the Ministry to begin updating the Languages 5 to 12 Template, a 246-page document which uses the Integrated Resource Package of the former curriculum (2003). This template needed to be streamlined and updated to the new KDU framework of the BC curriculum. Initial discussions with BCATML began two years ago, and BCATML was successful in advocating for the completion of this ministerial mandate despite the challenges of not having a dedicated Languages Curriculum Coordinator at the Ministry.
The Languages Template Team was composed of four BCATML members, one independent school teacher, and Ministry Curriculum Coordinators for Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Health Education. There were three specific goals for this meeting:
The Curriculum Team drafted a significantly more manageable template than the previous one. The team ensured that curriculum for grades 5 to 12 would require similar learning standards as those contained in the nine existing second languages curricula; while leaving flexibility for language specific needs not found in the other curricula. For instance, not all languages have an alphabet per se, but the team agreed that it was necessary to include an introduction to the writing system of the target language as well as teaching phonemical sounds relating to the script of the language. Additionally, highlighting cultural creative works, customs, traditions, and celebrations could also be easily included to better represent the needs of the target language. The new Languages Template will use a similar KDU framework of the other languages curricula to ensure that the teaching and evaluation of the Core Competencies remain consistent. It is expected that the Ministry will finalize the Languages Template by June 2019 for those school districts and communities wishing to develop language education programs for which there is local interest, such as Arabic, Croatian, and Russian (among many others).  The sacred torch for the 2017 Asian Winter Games is ignited in Sapporo on Feb. 5, 2017, using a traditional fire-starting method used by the Ainu people, before being lit in the cauldron during the opening ceremony there later that month. | KYODO Copied from www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/02/15/national/japan-recognize-indigenous-ainu-people-first-time/#.XGtiyS3MzOR
The government approved a bill Friday to recognize the country’s ethnic Ainu minority as an “indigenous” people for the first time, after decades of discrimination against the group. The Ainu people — many of whom live in northern Hokkaido — have long suffered the effects of a policy of forced assimilation. While discrimination has receded gradually, income and education gaps with the rest of Japan persist. “It is important to protect the honor and dignity of the Ainu people and to hand those down to the next generation to realize a vibrant society with diverse values,” top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters. “Today we made a Cabinet decision on a bill to proceed with policies to preserve the Ainu people’s pride.” The bill is the first to recognize the Ainu as “indigenous people” and calls for the government to make “forward-looking policies,” including measures to support communities and boost local economies and tourism. Ainu have lived for centuries on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, as well as nearby areas including Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. They struggled to pass down their language and culture after the Japanese government implemented an assimilation policy beginning in the Meiji Era (1868-1912), as Japan was modernizing. The Ainu traditionally observed an animist faith, with men wearing full beards and women adorning themselves with facial tattoos before marriage. But like many indigenous people around the world, most of Japan’s Ainu have lost touch with their traditional lifestyle after decades of forced assimilation. The Ainu population is estimated to be at least 12,300, according to a 2017 survey, but the real figure is unknown as many have integrated into mainstream society and some have hidden their cultural roots. In 1997, a law was enacted aimed at preserving Ainu culture and guaranteeing their human rights, about 100 years after the government introduced the assimilation policy. It was the first legislation acknowledging the existence of an ethnic minority in Japan, but stopped short of saying the Ainu are indigenous. The new bill states its purpose is to “realize a society where the Ainu people can live with their ethnic pride, which will be respected” by others. The government will subsidize projects aimed at promoting Ainu culture and organized by local municipalities. The law would also simplify procedures for Ainu to get permission from authorities to collect timber from national forests for their rituals, and to catch salmon in rivers in a traditional way. In addition to the new law, the central government also plans to open a national Ainu museum and park in the Hokkaido town of Shiraoi in April 2020. In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a declaration on the rights of indigenous people, asking each country to take legislative steps to protect their rights. Japan was among the countries that supported the declaration. “It is the first step for ensuring equality under the law,” Mikiko Maruko, who represents a group of Ainu people in eastern Japan near Tokyo, said. “There are lots of things to be done, for example, creating a scholarship for families who struggle to send their children to high schools,” she added, a system currently only available to Ainu in Hokkaido. “It is a major step forward on policies towards the Ainu people,” said Masashi Nagaura, chief of the Ainu policy bureau of the Hokkaido Prefectural Government that has spearheaded policies for the ethnic minority.  The BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is seeking four public school teachers to participate as BCTF representatives to a Ministry of Education committee tasked with updating the Language Template for use at Grades 5–12. In addition to public school teachers, the Ministry may appoint administrators and educators from independent schools to this project.
To continue to support the implementation of the K–12 curriculum, the Ministry of Education would like to update the Language Template for use at Grades 5–12 to further support language learning opportunities in the province. For this work, the Ministry will assemble a small team of teachers. In addition, the Ministry will be seeking advice from the team on processes for use, review, and revision of the Language Template. This committee will meet in Victoria on March 6 and 7, 2019. TTOC costs and travel expenses for committee members will be covered by the Ministry, and any work time required outside of the meetings will be compensated according to government guidelines. To view the posting and download the application form, visit: http://www.bctf.ca/opportunities/MinistryCommittees.aspx The deadline for applications is Friday, February 15, 2019 at 5:00 pm. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications must be emailed to applications@bctf.ca or alternatively, they can be faxed to the Professional and Social Issues Division at the BCTF at 604-871-2286.  Adapted from: https://cpf.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/j/7661389A782E4C0A2540EF23F30FEDED/2540670FCE52AB973EDEEDC46EB9B960 VICTORIA - Students are joining in French immersion Celebration Week events from Feb. 4-10, 2019, marking 50 years of the education program helping students in B.C. to become bilingual. “As we celebrate 50 years of French immersion in the province, let’s reflect upon how incredibly positive it is that so many B.C. families see the benefits of bilingualism, and that French immersion is growing tremendously in popularity,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “This week is a great chance to shine a bright light on the educators and school staff who are creating innovative French language programs that empower kids throughout British Columbia.”  Above: Parents from Greater Vancouver and the Island meet in 1978 to discuss joining forces to advocate for French immersion in B.C. The group would later become CPF BC & Yukon. Learning French can connect kids to Franco Canadian culture and enriches travel experiences to countries where French is spoken. Studies show bilingualism has a positive impact on children’s intellectual development, giving them a better aptitude for learning new concepts, problem solving and multi-tasking. Being bilingual also opens more job opportunities. “With the growing popularity of French Immersion, it becomes even more important to have programs and services available in the province for people who speak French,” said Adrian Dix, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs in B.C. “It is very gratifying to me to know that French language and culture in our Province are strong and continue to flourish in large part because of our French Immersion students, teachers and families.” “We want to thank all the parents and educators who have given so many hours over the years to promoting and supporting bilingualism in communities all around the province,” said Glyn Lewis, executive director of the Canadian Parents for French – B.C. & Yukon. “Thanks in large part to their efforts, hundreds of thousands of young British Columbians have been enriched over the years by learning our official languages. What an incredible milestone to celebrate!”  Above: Skating with Bonhomme Carnaval is a popular activity put on by many CPF BC & Yukon Chapters to celebrate French-Canadian culture. Students, teachers and families throughout the province will participate in French-inspired events organized by the Canadian Parents for French. Many schools will host events, and some are open to the public, including:
  Above: Storyteller Anne Glover performs with a Grade 12 student at École Pitt River Middle School, February 5th 2019.  Above: Mr. Henri Roy (left), student in the inaugural French immersion class at Alderson Elementary in 1968-69 along with lifelong friend, and Coquitlam district language coordinator, Mme. Sophie Bergeron (right). Quick Facts:
 The extremely popular Explore program has expanded! There is now a three-week option for students aged 13-15 to participate in this enriching immersion experience all in French at one of three sites: Jonquière, Que., La Pocatière, Que., and Moncton, New Brunswick. There is a registration fee of $275 and students pay their return transportation to the site. Participants in Explore can receive funding that covers tuition fees for the program, instructional materials, meals and accommodations, workshops, and other activities. The program will be offered twice in 2019: July 1 to 22 and July 22 - August 12. Visit the website myexplore.ca and choose the youth option for more details. Students need to have completed their application by February 15, 2019.
 Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 marks the first day of the year of the Pig, according to the traditional Chinese calendar. According to the Chinese astrology, 2019 is a great year to make money, and a good year to invest! 2019 is going to be full of joy, a year of friendship and love for all the zodiac signs; an auspicious year because the Pig attracts success in all the spheres of life. Just in time for the big day, your French students can learn and discuss the cultural similarities and differences with these activity worksheets we have created. Gong hei fat choy! 
Adapted from: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsEvents/Posts/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=659
The Dhahan Prize Youth Award is the only one of its kind in B.C.. It aims to encourage storytelling and experience-sharing by students, not only to promote literacy and strengthen the Punjabi language among Canadian-born youth, but to foster tolerance and understanding. The contest invites senior secondary students from across the province to submit their Punjabi-language stories. This year, 41 short stories were submitted and translated into English. An independent jury judged the writing and winners were selected. Students won a $500 cash prize and their stories are published in an anthology that will also be distributed free to Surrey schools. Five of the eight Dhahan prizes were awarded to students from Surrey School District's Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and L. A. Matheson secondary schools. The other winning students were from North Delta Secondary and two students from Abbotsford's Dashmesh School. The awards were handed out at a ceremony on October 21 at the University of British Columbia. Submissions for the Dhahan Prize 2019 are now being accepted online. |
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 July 12th, 2022. |
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