Foreign+Language

==Foreign Language ==

Benchmark: Students demonstrate an understanding of insights gained into another culture through the examination of its practices (behaviors), products (tangibles such as monuments, food and literature, and intangibles such as laws and music) and perspectives (attitudes, values, ideas, world views).
 * Cultures: Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.**

A. Investigate, discuss and report on practices and perspectives of the target culture. B. Participate in and discuss age-appropriate cultural practices. C. Investigate, discuss and report on products and perspectives of the target culture. D. Identify significant contributions and historical figures from the target culture.

**Technology **
 * 1) A virtual classroom will be set up between the classroom and a volunteer from Italy.
 * 2) Telepresence (can be as low as $1,000)
 * 3) This web cast will allow students to communicate with a person that is fluent in their native language.
 * 4) Each group will have a communicator in front of them to ask their question.

**Lesson: Talking with an Olympian!**


 * 1) Students will be grouped in pairs and required to construct two questions in the practicing language.
 * 2) Each student will have the opportunity to ask one of the two questions, allowing all students to participate in the web cast.
 * 3) The questions must be relevant to the interviewee’s culture and background.
 * 4) A rubric will be passed out prior to students writing their questions to make sure the requirements are clear and can be met.
 * 5) Students are expected to ask their questions in the native language and answer any questions the interviewee might have.
 * 6) Students are also expected to record the interviewee’s answer in the native language with correct spelling and grammar.
 * 7) The responses will be collected by the teacher and graded for correctness.
 * 8) Students are expected to keep eye contact with the guest and be fluent in their speech, they are not to speak english or ask their teacher for help in another language than Italian.
 * 9) Each group when not asking a question must be attentive and write down any facts of information they find to be interesting.
 * 10) A summary of the process can be written up for extra credit points.
 * 11) For homework a reflection will be written which describes their experience during the interview and how it compared to learning the language in class. This of course can be written in English.

**Resources**

I believe almost any teacher would love to have an experience with a virtual classroom. This allows you to join other classes from around the world and have conversations with them in real time. This almost goes back to the days when we had pen pals from other schools. That moved to e-mail, now it's moving to virtual classrooms. In the article //Borderless via Technology// a students responds "We discussed topics one would never think of broaching in a cross-cultural context. But our professors encouraged us to ask the tough questions of one another" (West 2010) Student can even give presentations through a virtual classroom that the whole class (in both countries) can view. "Using computer projectors students can see and hear life-size images of each other, as well as give Power Point presentations" (West 2010) One of the main benefits of a virtual classroom is its ability to let students study abroad and interact with other cultures. Even in middle school, students are discovering what they want to do or become as they are growing. This experience of meeting a person from an entirely different culture can be life changing. " Several of the educators involved in the various programs emphasize how technology has increased access to international experience for students who might not be able study abroad."

West, C. (Mar/Apr 2010) Borderless via Technology__. International Educator__ Vol. 19 Issue 2, p24-33 Retrieved on June 1, 2010 from []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">** Tried and True or New and Innovative **

I believe this is an example of a new and innovative technology in the classroom. Student do not get to use technology like this on a daily basis and it would be a new experience for them. Schools do not have this technology as a norm in their classrooms and could be missing out an effective way to teach many contents other than foreign language. Telepresence is a common term for this type of communication and can cost quite a bundle. This technology is quickly reducing in price and is thought to be down in price where it could be found in every household. The major benefit from this technology is that it brings a person into the classroom that is not a video recording, or the same teacher, but a person that could possible be halfway around the world.