Tag: 2014

Merriam-Webster named culture in all of its definitions as its word of the year for 2014, saying that culture was a "big word at back-to-school time each year, but last year lookups extended well beyond the academic calendar." The company chooses its word of the year based on a set of criteria that includes the number of online searches...

Preparing Children on the Range Claudia Miner examines the challenges of getting early education to minority children in the most rural environmentsMutual Benefit Heather Tyler explains how the service learning model works for all participantsMusic to All Ears Donna Stoering explains how cross-cultural music offers an excellent teaching tool for K-12 students of languages, literacy, diversity2015 Year Planner Calendar of events for...

Elementary Practicals Lisa Lucas discovers what we can learn from the UK’s mandating of world language education in all elementary schools from second gradeWhen Language and Learning Get Tough John Carr offers strategies for identifying and serving the growing population of English learners with learning difficultiesThe Play’s the Thing Lori Langer de Ramirez recommends using suspension of disbelief and simulations as means...

Cutting to the Common Core What Does CCSS Mean for Early Learning? Benjamin Heuston explains why a publisher has adapted its early learning materials to complement the new standardsCutting to the Common Core Sticking to the Script Timothy Shanahan reassesses the role of handwriting in literacy developmentLessons from the Ukrainian Conflict Angelika Putintseva’s firsthand experience leads her to believe that language intolerance is the...

Testing Reformed Lance Knowles explains how advances in technology and cognitive neuroscience allow us to assess and modify the quality of learning and practiceAnimating All Kids Gregory van Zuyen reports on the way Terry Thoren and Rudy Verbeeck are using cartoons to help teach language skills and learning habits in classArabic for America Carine Allaf outlines the benefits and challenges of learning...

Retool for Fall A selection of the latest technological products for language educatorsBright Learners, Big City Kristal Bivona returns from China full of its promiseWe are Family Mary Catherine Thomson enthuses about the long-term success of a sister school programCutting to the Common Core: My Student’s Can’t Read So How Will They Write? Hillary Wolfe recommends building strategic scaffolds to assist adolescent writing...

Cutting to the Common Core: The Positive Side of the Digital Divide Judith Zorfass and Tracy Gray recommend using digital text to differentiate reading instruction Lure of the Sur: A Study Abroad Extravaganza Kristal Bivona finds there’s no time like the present to immerse oneself in Latin America Spanish Steps Britta Schneider explains what salsa dancing has to do with language learning...

Cutting to the Common Core: The Key to English Standards John Carr argues that the Collaborative Discussions element is the most important of all standards Curing the Summertime Blues Donna Lasinski examines why the summer slide particularly affects English learners Repaving the Campaign Trail Kathleen Stein-Smith proposes a campaign for world language education in the U.S. based on social and political engagement,...

‘Selfie’ ‘crowdfunding’ and turducken’ are among 150 new words added to the 2014 updated version of the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary; the company have announced this week.The new additions to the U.S. English dictionary reflect numerous changes in technology, social media and popular culture.The process of holding a smart-phone camera at arm’s length and snapping a quick shot for...