Nebraska Department of Education World Language Program List of Resources

Provides list of online courses, reference materials, tutorials, and authentic resources. List is ongoing and suggestions are welcome. Materials referenced must be completely subscription free, open educational resources.

ACTFL offers a free one-year membership and access to their materials which include professional development online learning modules, professional library of journals, an online community, and access to AAPPL Communication Builder. AAPPL CB is an online workspace in which teachers can assign tasks in all three modes of communication.

NCSSFL Resource Response to COVID-19 Crisis

NCSSFL leadership has gathered an extensive collection of resources regarding COVID-19, instructional methodology, authentic resources, technology resources for teaching online, and dual language learning online.

CARLA Resources to Support Language Teaching Online

CARLA offers a list of webinars, online resources, social media conversations, newsletters and blogs.

The Nebraska World Language Standards were approved by the Nebraska State Board of Education in September 2019. Educators around Nebraska have been working through the implementation process. Supporting resources and materials are found at the NDE WL Standards website.

Two workshop portals provide resources to work through exploration and to begin initial implementation. Learn about the standards at “Quick Guide to Nebraska’s World Language Standards” and “Program Building with Nebraska’s World Language Standards”. Online workshops can be scheduled for ESU’s or districts. Contact stephanie.call@nebraska.gov to request a workshop.

Dr. Jonathan Dettman
Associate Professor, Chair of Modern Languages
University of Nebraska Kearney
dettmanjc@unk.edu

Jonathan speaks…Spanish, Portuguese, and English.

How do you maintain your proficiency in the language?
Daily communication and professional activity, mainly teaching and writing.
What would you recommend to educators to build their pedagogy and practice?
Get involved with causes and professional networks beyond your classroom and school.

Submissions for The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy will continue. Students may still follow the online process. Applications received by April 15 have been reviewed and awards will be made by the end of May. Processing time is seriously delayed due to the restrictions in place from COVID-19. Applications can still be made. Those applications will be held until September for review and awarding. It is possible for students to receive The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy after graduation.

Students who wish to apply for the Seal will apply through the online application. The application process has no fee and can be found from the Seal website. The application requests the student’s contact information, an upload of proof of eligibility for English and for another language, school information, teacher name, and parent contact information. Once the form is submitted, an automatic response is sent to the parent to notify them that the student has submitted the application.

The Nebraska International Languages Association invites proposals for the 2020 Fall Conference. Proposals should be appropriate for 50-minute sessions on a variety of topics and are due by Monday June 1, 2020.

The theme of this year’s conference is:  Believe Achieve: Biliteracy in Nebraska…Honestly, it IS for everyone. The NILA Fall Conference will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020.  This year’s conference will be delivered via a virtual platform (Zoom).

All presenters must still register for the NILA conference: this form does not serve as a formal registration. Please visit the link for the Proposal Form. https://forms.gle/VxdxSh7GRi5s1HL57

Nebraska Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (NATSP) entered two students into the AATSP Annual Poster Contest in the “Hand-Drawn” category. Aiden Lewald of Milliard North High School and Cristian Ryan de Castro Cartel of Alfonza W. Davis Middle School were selected to represent Nebraska’s high school and middle schools respectively. Cristian’s poster made it to the final judging and we are awaiting results. Winning entries will be revealed on the AATSP website. Congratulations to both of these very talented World Language artists. This year’s theme was “Spanish and Portuguese for a Multi-Lingual, Multi-Cultural World” or Español y Portugués para un mundo multilingüe y multicultural
Espanhol e Português para um mundo multilíngue e multicultural.

Be sure to look out for information for next year’s contest. The National contest deadline is in the spring (usually around March), but local school level contests can be held anytime during the school year. The contest is open to K-12 students of Spanish / Portuguese whose teachers are members of AATSP. Membership to the Nebraska chapter is free, but teachers must be members of the National AATSP to have posters entered into the contest.

The University of Nebraska Lincoln Confucius Institute (UNL-CI) hosted its annual Speech Competition and Character Bee. The contest is open to non-heritage learners of Chinese in the state of Nebraska. Five school districts, ESU 5, and the University of Nebraska High School offer Chinese programming. As of 2018-2019, 797 Nebraska students were enrolled in Chinese programming 7-12.

UNL-CI’s Speech Competition and Character Bee requires students to present prepared 3-5 minute speeches in Chinese and to respond in Chinese characters to questions posed in Chinese.

This year’s winners are:

The UNL Confucius Institute (Online) Chinese Speech Competition Level 1
First Place Mackenzie Reidy
Second Place Aurora Gunubu
Third Place Alyssa Carlson
Honorable Mention: Zainab Elhag

The UNL Confucius Institute (Online) Chinese Character Bee Level 1
First Place Zainab Elhag
Second Place Ariana Chism
Third Place MacKenzie Reidy

The UNL Confucius Institute (Online) Chinese Speech Competition Level 2
First Place Devon Pope
Second Place Sofia Rodriguez Argaza
Third Place Tricia Sherwood

The UNL Confucius Institute (Online) Chinese Character Bee Level 2
First Place Devon Pope
Second Place Tricia Sherwood

The UNL Confucius Institute (Online) Chinese Speech Competition Level 3
First Place Suong Tran
Second Place Ellie Saksena
Third Place Elise Benson

The UNL Confucius Institute (Online) Chinese Character Bee Level 3
First Place Suong Tran
Second Place Ellie Saksena
Third Place Hajer Aleid

The following teaching positions were posted as of May 12, 2020 on the Teach in Nebraska website. They are listed from most recent to oldest.

• World Language Teacher 9-12, Wilber-Clatonia Public School, Wilber
• Spanish Teacher, South Sioux City Community Schools, South Sioux City
• Spanish Teacher 9-12, Hastings High School, Hastings
• Spanish Teacher 6-8, Bluffs Middle School, Scottsbluff
• Spanish Teacher 7-12, Alma Public Schools, Alma
• French Teacher 9-12, Mount Michael Benedictine School, Elkhorn
• Spanish Teacher 9-12, Schuyler High School, Schuyler
• Spanish Teacher 9-12, Mount Michael Benedictine School, Elkhorn
• Spanish Teacher 7-12, Humphrey Public Schools, Humphrey

The following teaching positions were posted as of April 6, 2020 on the Teach in Nebraska website. They are listed from most recent to oldest.

• French Teacher 9-12, Mount Michael Benedictine School, Elkhorn
• Spanish Teacher 6-8, Norris Middle School, Firth
• World Language Teacher 9-12, Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk
• Dual Language, Elementary K-4, Fremont Public Schools, Fremont
• Spanish Teacher 7-12, Humphrey Public Schools, Humphrey
• Spanish Teacher 9-12, Loomis Public Schools, Loomis
• Spanish Teacher 7-12, Osceola Public Schools, Osceola
• Spanish Teacher K-8, St. Thomas More, Omaha
• World Language Teacher 9-12, Wilber-Clatonia Public Schools, Wilber
• Spanish Teacher 9-12, North Platte Public Schools, North Platte
• Spanish Teacher 7-12, Lincoln Christian School, Lincoln
• Spanish Teacher 9-12, Ralston Public Schools, Ralston
• Spanish Teacher 9-12, Scottsbluff Public Schools, Scottsbluff

The Nebraska chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French (NAATF) recently shared updates from the national organization (AATF). AATF offers resources and materials online for members and the public. Visit AATF for webinars regarding online teaching, sample AP French Language and Culture activities, and other resources. AATF also advised that Societe Honoraire de Francais sponsors are encouraged to be flexible and creative in devising creative celebrations to end the school year.

Submissions for The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy will continue. Students may still follow the online process. Applications received by April 15 will be reviewed and awards will be made by the end of May. Processing time is seriously delayed due to the restrictions in place from COVID-19. Applications can still be made after April 15. Those applications will be held until September for review and awarding. It is possible for students to receive The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy after graduation.

Students who wish to apply for the Seal will apply through the online application. The application process has no fee and can be found from the Seal website. The application requests the student’s contact information, an upload of proof of eligibility for English and for another language, school information, teacher name, and parent contact information. Once the form is submitted, an automatic response is sent to the parent to notify them that the student has submitted the application.

The Nebraska International Languages Association is official opening our call for proposals for our 2020 Fall Conference.

The 2020 Nebraska International Language Association Conference invites proposals for 50 minute sessions on a variety of topics.

The theme of this year’s conference is:  Believe Achieve: Biliteracy in Nebraska…Honestly, it IS for everyone. The NILA Fall Conference will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Omaha South High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Proposals are accepted until Friday, May 1, 2020.  Presenters will be notified by June 15th, 2020 if the proposal is accepted.  All presenters must still register for the NILA conference: this form does not serve as a formal registration. Please go to the Proposal Form.

Nebraska’s third annual World Language Week kicks off April 5-11 online. The ability to communicate in more than one language affords students immediate access into global connections and perspectives. To speak another language grows an awareness of cultures and identities of others while gaining a greater understanding of one’s own culture, identity, and language. World Language Week honors the power of languages to make you college, career, and civic ready. Check the Facebook page (@NDE.WL) for information and updates. The following materials are still available online  under the World Language Week tab as free downloads: Power of Languages posters, Power of Languages stickers, College, career, civic ready posters, Infographics. To see the full biographies of World Language Distinguished Scholars, please visit the online slideshow at shorturl.at/bmIW7.

Katy Cattlett, President-Elect
Principal
Omaha Public Schools
katy.cattlett@ops.org

Katy speaks…Spanish and English.

How do you maintain your proficiency in the language?
I use my Spanish to communicate with students, staff, and parents daily.

What would you recommend to educators to build their pedagogy and practice?
Learn about language acquisition from both the perspective of world languages and English learner programs. Both have similar viewpoints but have valid and proven strategies that could positively improve instruction in the other. Believe in your students and yourself. Cultivate a growth mindset.

Liliana Velasco, Vice President
Spanish Teacher
Columbus High School
velascol@icloud.com

Liliana speaks…Spanish and English and studied French.

How do you maintain your proficiency in the language?
I use my Spanish in teaching and for general communication in and out of school. Unfortunately, I have lost proficiency in French, which I studied for 8 years.

How do you feel Nebraska is raising the standards for world language education?
I believe Nebraska is working proactively to provide a good language education to students in most districts. However, there are districts in Nebraska where languages are not as important, or where languages options are not provided. Our new standards encourage growth in language and learning. I believe the insight learners have to provide about their learning and proficiency level is a strength within the new standards.