FLLT667 - CROSS CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

SUMMER 2001

Dr. Jorge H. Cubillos

This three-credit graduate course is designed for foreign language teachers who are interested in strengthening their communicative skills in the target language, and in developing their ability to design instructional materials consistent with the National Standards for Foreign Languages.  The unique format of this course provides for one week of instruction at the University of Delaware, three weeks of cultural immersion abroad, and a final week of synthesis back at the University of Delaware.

Instructor Information

Instrutor:            Dr. Jorge H. Cubillos

Office:                416 Smith Hall

Office Hours:    By Appointment

Phone:               302-831-2041

E-mail:               cubillos@udel.edu

Course Objectives

 
The goals of the course are:

1. To refine the participants' writing and speaking skills in the target language.
2. To heighten their cross-cultural awareness and competence.
3. To establish connections with various disciplines (such as history, geography, art history, etc.).
4. To develop cultural units for use in the foreign language classroom.

This course will give participants the opportunity to enhance their pedagogical skills through investigative research and the development of engaging classroom materials. Participants will also have a unique chance to perfect foreign language skills in a full-immersion study abroad format.   Finally, by exchanging the instructional units developed in the course, all participants will have on hand a comprehensivebody of resources for use in their respective programs.

• Class Project             60% (50% for the project itself, and 10% for its oral defense)
• Presentations (3)        30%
• Self Assessment         10%

Class project:  Participants will be asked to develop instructional units for use in their respective programs.  These instructional units should be in line with the National Standards for Foreign Language Education, and demonstrate creative use of the materials collected while abroad.  The use of technology (in particular the WWW) will be required. Due Date: Monday, August 13.

Presentations:  Participants will be asked to present on specific chapters from the required readings (July 9) and on the potential problems of implementing the National Standards (July 10) .  Participants will also be expected to inform the group on July 11 about the rationale behind their topic selection, and summarize the results of their bibliographic research  (details of the type of materials to be researched abroad will be expected).

Self-Assessment:  Along with the class project, participants are to submit a Self-Assessment Statement, discussing their degree of accomplishment of the stated course goals.  Due Date: Monday, August 13.

Preparation for the Immersion Experience

• Tasks to complete during the months of May and June

Course Calendar

• Calendar of activities in Delaware
• Calendar of activities in Mexico

 The following sites have relevant content for this course:

Yucatán
Mérida
National Standards for Foreign Language Education

Texts/Resources/Readings/Supplies
 

• National Standards. A Catalist for Reform (1996).  Robert C. Lafayette, Ed.  National Texbook Company.
• Tasks and Communicating in Language Classrooms (2000) by James F. Lee, McGraw-Hill.