Foreign+Language

**Subject: Foreign Language**


 * Technology:**


 * laptop computer cart (or computer lab)
 * digital voice recorders (or microphones)
 * digital cameras, or
 * digital video camera
 * audio and video editing software


 * Ohio** **Academic Content Standards:**

Benchmark A: Engage in oral, written or signed conversation on familiar topics. Benchmark B: Express personal preferences and feelings, and support opinions. Benchmark C: Request and provide clarification. Benchmarks C: Compare and contrast practices and perspectives of the target culture and students’ own culture. Benchmark C: Engage in communication with people locally and around the world.
 * Grades 5-8 Communication **
 * Grades 5-8 Comparisons **
 * Grades 5-8 Communities **

> 1) use pictures and digital recordings to create an introduction, > 2) use a video presentation, or > 3) (more advanced) participate in a short video conference introduction Introductions must be at least 3- 5 minutes long and include the following: a greeting, name, age, a short description of personality, family members living or other family information, three or more favorite activities, where student goes for fun/what student’s favorite place is and why, and at least 5 images (student, family, friends, favorite things, locker, anything related to introduction) that are identified. The student must also ask 3 questions about the new e-pal.
 * Activity: **
 * Students will create introductions for their e-pals from Spain. Students may choose to either:

** References: ** Lee, L (2007). Fostering second language oral communication through constructivist interaction in desktop videoconferencing. //Foreign Language Annals//. //40(4)//, 635-49.

Gläsmann, S. (2004, May 7). Worldwide chatter. //Times Educational Supplement//, Retrieved May 23, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

McIntosh, S., Braul, B., & Chao, T. (2003). A case study in asynchronous voice conferencing for language instruction. //Educational Media International//. //40 (1/2)//, 63-73.

Tuttle, H. (2007, November). Livening up foreign language: Technology enables language learning in authentic situations. //Technology & Learning//, //28//(4), 40-42. Retrieved May 23, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. Tried & True or New & Innovative: ** New & Innovative. The technology for video conferencing has existed for several years, but it has not been widely used in the school setting. Traditionally students have written to pen pals and more recently e-mailed to e-pals. The use of video and digital recordings and videoconferencing for middle school especially is relatively new.