Tampa, Florida; February 6-9, 2008
http://www.nabe.org/conference.html
This is an important topic specific conference. It is a very useful conference for teachers who are involved in immersion or two-way immersion programs, and for those who are working with native-Arabic-speaking children who are learning Arabic and English at the same time.
Southwest Conference on Language Teaching (SWCOLT)
SWCOLT sessions that focus on Arabic:
LCTLs: Thinking outside the box -- Arabic as a case study
Jeremy Palmer,University of Arizona & Kirk Belnap, Brigham Young University, Utah
The much heightened interest in Arabic in recent years has resulted in revolutionary curricular innovations with significant implications for other LCTLs. This session will provide an overview of some of these, including: a fast track to previously unknown functional ability in Arabic for high school and university students through the combination of intensive summer camps and continued study via Arabic without Walls (a hybrid approach that combines live human interaction over the Internet with the flexibility of asynchronous distance learning); listening to student priorities and accelerating learning/decreasing attrition through a whole language approach; moving large numbers of students rapidly to Advanced-level speaking and reading proficiency.
Middle school Arabic
Kate Vasicek, Renaissance Academy, Utah
Arabic as a Foreign Language continues to grow in popularity in all grade levels, however, the lack of curriculum, research, and veteran Arabic teachers means AFL classes face unique challenges when attempting to meet the ACTFL Standards. This workshop will provide information about needs and issues specific to the AFL classroom, and examples of ways for AFL teachers to meet the ACTFL Standards.
Implementing multimedia in developing the listening skills of learners of Arabic as a foreign language
Mona Ahmed Aboul Fath , Alexandria University, Egypt
This presentation displays the use of authentic audio visual materials like songs and movies in enhancing the listening skills of learners of Arabic as a foreign language. It presents a case study of the students at the TAFL (Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language) Centre at Alexandria University, Egypt.
Starting or improving Chinese and Arabic programs in K-16
Myriam Met, National Foreign Language Center, University of Maryland
This session will provide information about resources available from the National Foreign Language Center (NFLC) to support the development of new programs or to enhance existing programs in K-12 as well as in colleges and universities.
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Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL) 2008
Dearborn, Michigan; March 6-8, 2008
http://www.csctfl.org/
This is a major regional conference. The Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign serves the 17 states of: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
CSCTFL Workshops For Teachers of Arabic
ArabicTeachers Workshop
Presenters: Shereen Tabrizi-Arraf, Hala Hamka, Khamael Alaloom, and Nada Fouani, Dearborn Public Schools, Dearborn, MI
Description: This workshop will engage participants in linguistically and culturally enriching experiences. Participants will review and obtain content-based Arabic curriculum and thematic units for grades K-6 and discuss evidence-based best practices for teaching Arabic. They will have a unique experience with teaching Arabic in a local school and visit the Arab-American National Museum that houses a rich collection of cultural artifacts and exhibits of the Arab-American heritage.
Exploring Arab Culture
Coordinator: Margrit Zinggeler, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Description: This half-day workshop is held at the Arab-American National Museum (AANM) which is the first museum in the world devoted to Arab- American history and culture. Arab-Americans have enriched the economic, political and cultural landscape of American life. By bringing the voices and faces or Arab-Americans to mainstream audiences, participants learn to dispel misconceptions about Arab-Americans and other minorities and teachers learn to understand and communicate effectively when dealing with students and parents of Arab and Chaldean descent. A variety of curriculum material is available from the museum.
The Arabic Linguistics Society and the University of Maryland
Twenty-Second Annual Symposium on Arabic Linguistics
University of Maryland, College Park.
March 8-9, 2008
For more information, contact: Saleh Al-Nusairat nfli-arabic@umd.edu
California Language Teachers' Association (CLTA) 2008 Conference
Irvine, California
March 13-16, 2008
http://clta.net/conference/index.html
This is a single state language conference for teachers of all languages. It is very large and has a few sessions specifically on teaching Arabic. Many of the sessions on teaching strategies, materials, classroom management, and curriculum are appropriate for all languages, including Arabic.
CLTA sessions on Arabic:
Arabic Curriculum from A to Z
Presenter(s): Hanada Taha-Thomure, San Diego State University, Language Acquisition
Resource Center
The session will outline via a hands-on approach the components of a successful Arabic language curriculum. This will include having well-defined standards and benchmarks, a scope and sequence and some textbooks to choose from.
K-16 Video Based Interactive Instruction: Real World Arabic
Presenter(s): Iman ArabiKatbi Hashem, Director, Arabic Language Projects, Occidental College
This session explores the concepts central to interactive real world language instruction through the use of Arabic video clips. The presenter teaches novice level content and will discuss the process of using authentic materials to teach cultural products, practices and perspectives and to connect with other disciplines and worldviews.
Islamic Society of North America: 9th Educational Forum (ISNA)
Rosemont, Illinois; March 21-23, 2008
http://www.isna.com/Conferences/pages/Education-Forum.aspx
This conference welcomes both Islamic and non-Islamic teachers of Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL). The pre-conference workshop, described below, is of particular interest to all teachers of Arabic. The other presentations are not yet posted. They are usually a mix of presentations, many on teaching Islam and Koranic Arabic, some on teaching Modern Standard Arabic as a Foreign Language.
ISNA Pre-Conference Workshop for Arabic Teachers- Beyond the Textbook: Selecting and Developing Good Arabic teaching materials.
The workshop will bring together a team of experts who will work with teachers of Arabic to empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to go beyond the textbook and start using available print and electronic materials as well as start developing their own materials that will meet the needs of their students and make Arabic learning more relevant and meaningful.
Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL)
New York City; March 27-29, 2008
This is a major regional conference that attracts people from across the U.S. NECTFL is a regional organization with a world-class conference. The NECTFL region extends from Maine to Virginia and includes the following states:(CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV). NECTFL has made an effort to encourage the participation of teachers of Arabic. You will find general sessions that are appropriate to any classroom on teaching techniques, materials, curriculum, classroom management, and session devoted specifically to Arabic.
http://alpha.dickinson.edu/prorg/nectfl/index.html
NECTFL Selected sessions that focus on Arabic:
STARTALK: Enhancing the Fields of Arabic and Chinese, Catherine Ingold, NFLC/University of MD; Shuhan Wang, Asia Society
This session will present information on the STARTALK Project 2007 summer programs for teachers and students of Arabic and Chinese, and the resulting impact. The session will show digital clips of programs, and discuss what to expect for 2008 and beyond. In English with examples in Arabic and Chinese, and of special interest to high school, community college, and four-year college or university educators.
Sheikh Computer in My Arabic Class?, Rajaa Chouairi, United States Military Academy, West Point
Should computers replace books in the teaching of Arabic? Or should they only be used as a study aid and part of homework? If adopted, how and when to use them effectively? Which software to use based on factors such as Arabic diglossia, class contact time and goals of the curriculum? Session presented in English with some examples in Arabic and of interest to high school and college level educators.
No Textbook Left Behind: How to Survive in the WL Classroom without the Book, Dana Pilla, Moorestown High School; Glennysha Jurado-Moran, Thomas Jefferson MS; Esperanza Kays, Lincoln School
Are you tired of an outdated textbook? Wish there were a way to keep your lessons current year after year? Learn how to design a K-12 curriculum based on original tasks rather than text book units. Gain insight into a method of departure from the standard textbook units and find a way to incorporate unique ideas into your own thematic task based planning without relying on a costly text. Examples and activities will be provided in Spanish at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Presented in English with examples in Spanish and of interest to PreK-12 educators.
Make Your Own Music Videos in the Target Language, Mohamed Esa, McDaniel College
Many language teachers sometimes wish that they had a music video at their disposal to get students’ attention and motivate them. There are so many songs and music videos that teachers would like to use in their classes but cannot because of a possibly offensive word or an image that is inappropriate for their students. In this session, you will learn how to create your own music videos and how to edit audio and video songs to fit your needs. Presented in English with examples in Arabic, French, German and Spanish and of interest to PreK-16 educators.
Introducing Arabic: Steps to a Viable Program, Karin Ryding, Georgetown Univ
This lecture deals with practical issues of introducing Arabic instruction to any level of curriculum - elementary, secondary or tertiary. It outlines key areas of concern to administrators and language coordinators who may have responsibility for introducing, supervising, and evaluating Arabic instruction at their institutions. Topics covered include: Myths about Arabic, What You Need to Know, Strategies, and Resources. Presented in English with examples in Arabic and of interest to high school and college educators.
Arabic K-12 Curriculum Development, Dora Johnson, NCLRC; Christine Brown, Glastonbury Public Schools; Iman Hashem, NCLRC
Arabic K-12 is at a juncture where attention to curriculum development has become crucial. In this session, we will share experiences and materials from the summer 2007 curriculum development institute in Washington, DC. Presenters will share lessons learned and provide samples of curricula developed during the institute. Participants will be given an opportunity to try their hand at developing a curriculum of their own. Presented in English with examples in Arabic and of interest to PreK-12 educators.
Integrated Interdisciplinary Thematic Curriculum Units -- Arabic Basic Course Design, Elbashir Karrar, DLI; Badria Mohamed, Middle School 1
This authentic Arabic basic course is written based on a student-centered model. This unique model includes specific application of the most recent brain research, multiple intelligences, and communicative and task-based activity building. The hand-outs will give the participants the innovative tools to find authentic materials at various levels of proficiency, and create multi-step task-based activities appropriate for students from ILR levels 1+ to 3. Presented in English with examples in Arabic and of interest to the adult/professional educator.
Arabic Language Grade Level Content Expectations (Elementary), Naji Abduljaber, Bridge Academy
This session will give you an opportunity to get more knowledg about the grade level content expectations of teaching Arabic language and culture to the Elementary students. Most State Departments have have designed GLCES for its core subjects like Math, English Language Art, Science and Social Studies, Why don't we have such a thing for the Arabic Language and Culture? Come and share with us your ideas and suggestions. Presented in English with examples in Arabic and of interest to elementary level educators.
Arabic Standards in Action: Ways of Classroom Applications, Muhammad Eissa, National Capital Language Resource/Eissa and Associates
Attendees will be able to grasp the idea of linking classroom activities to the 5 C's of the Standards of Arabic as a Foreign Language. Samples of learning activities for multiple levels will be presented, discussed and analyzed to illustrate how Standards could be implemented in AFL classrooms. Interactive discussion will encourage exchange of ideas among the audience. Please bring some of your best examples to share. Presented in English with examples in Arabic and of interest to PreK-16 educators.
NECTFL Workshops directly related to teaching Arabic:
Making Data-Driven Decisions Based on the 2007 STARTALK Project
This workshop will analyze data on the STARTALK Project. Factors of the successful 2007 summer programs for students and teachers of Arabic and Chinese will be presented. Information and resources accumulated through all STARTALK programs will be shared. Issues related to the curriculum, material, assessment, and program design and implementation learned from these programs will also be analyzed and discussed. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to apply for future STARTALK funding. In English with examples in Arabic and Chinese, and of interest to all.
Best of NH: Understanding the Middle East
Friday, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
Mohamed Eddefaa, Merrimack School District/NHAWLT
"Understanding the Middle East" is a 3-hour workshop that has been designed to help you understand the global and regional issues and provides information and leadership on these issues at your schools. Combining in-depth background information with hands-on practical advice, this workshop will provide you with the necessary knowledge to face your students' questions and help them to better understand the Muslim cultures. Presented in English with examples in Arabic, French, Spanish and English and of interest to those at the high school and postsecondary levels.
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The South Carolina / Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCFLTA / SCOLT) Joint Conference; "Languages for the Nation"
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; April 3-5, 2008
http://www.scflta.org/conf_wkshps/conf_08.htm
This is another major regional conference. It includes many presentations that are useful for teachers of all languages, including Arabic, on assessment, teaching strategies, methods, materials, curriculum, and more. Below are a few sessions that might be of special interest to teachers of Arabic.
SCFTA/SCOLT Sessions of particular interest to teachers of Arabic
How to Apply for a FLAP (Foreign Language Assistance Program) Grant
Lynne McClendon, SCOLT Executive Director, Roswell, GA, Jennifer Ruggiero and Wendy Wu Cramer, Florida Virtual School, Rhonda Smith and Trecina Green, Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Leslie Baldwin, Foreign Language Program Specialist, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Learners of the Less Commonly Taught Languages: Who are They?
Rabia Redouane, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
The Kentucky Foreign Language Conference (KFLC)
Lexington, Kentucky; April 17-19, 2008
http://web.as.uky.edu/kflc/
This state-level conference is devoting a half-day to teaching Arabic. The program is available on their website.
Arabic portion of KFLC
ARABIC : The Dimension of Culture in Teaching Arabic
Organized by: Suleiman Darrat, U of Kentucky
Chaired by: Ihsan Bagby, U of Kentucky
9:30 Integrating Arabic Language & Culture Club in the Curriculum
Heba El Attar, Cleveland State U
10:00 Arabic Culture Through Literature
Mohammed Hirchi, Colorado State U
10:30 Coffee Break
11:00 The Fifth Skill: Culture As A Language Learning Motivator
Mustapha Jourdini, Eastern Kentucky U
11:30 The Word qarn as an Example of Linguistic Metamorphosis in Arabic
Abed-El-Rahman Tayyara, New York U
National Conference of Less Commonly Taught Languages (NCOLCTL) Conference
Madison, Wisconsin; April 24-27, 2008
http://www.councilnet.org/conf/conf2008/prpsl.htm
"LCTLs and Globalization: Challenges, Expectations and Possibilities"
This is an important conference on the teaching of “Less Commonly Taught Languages” in the U.S. which includes Arabic. There are usually quite a few sessions on teaching Arabic as well as sessions for policy makers and administrators on how to support LCTL programs, such as Arabic programs. This conference is smaller than most of the big language conferences listed here, pleasant to go to, and easy to navigate. Teachers and administrators will gain a lot from attending.
The program is not yet posted. (1/15/08). It should be up in the near future. Keep checking the link and we will alert you by listserv or Salamaat letter when it goes up.
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National Conference on Teaching Arabic Language and Culture
Chicago, Illinois; DePaul University; June 13-16, 2008
This spring also sees an all time first – we anticipate a conference entirely focused on Arabic language and culture K-16, to be held in Chicago through DePaul University. It will be held June 13-16 at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, please contact Nesreen Akhtarkhavari at: NAKHTAK@depaul.edu