NYSAFLT Annual Conference 2024

This presentation explores the intersection of Social-Emotional-Cultural Learning (SECL) and language education. Through a research-based approach, participants will discover how SECL principles can serve as foundational pillars for fostering connections between students, teachers, and the greater community. The session will offer research-based lessons and class activities designed to instill classrooms with values of cooperation, equality, justice, understanding, kindness, teamwork, diversity, and tolerance. Attendees will learn strategies to cultivate a vision of success and establish an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, thereby enhancing cultural competence and global citizenship among students.

Do you want your students to feel connected to their work and why they are doing it? Do you want your students to see the connections with the target language and culture?
In this session, the presenter will walk you through several teacher-created examples that focus on connecting authentic resources, realistic purposes, and real audiences, while incorporating and soliciting
student interest through transfer tasks that have been created while working with Dr. Jennifer Eddy of Queens College. The Spanish examples shown will include the sources, rubrics, and other related
materials. The projects shown can be modified for different levels and languages. If there is time, participants can begin their own during the session.

Do you want to hear your students use more target language in your classes? There is one simple and easy-to-implement solution: Chat Mats. Chat Mats provide students with the words or phrases that they need to keep the conversation going and maintain the use of the target language. In this workshop, attendees will get a quick overview of Chat Mats (the what, and the why) followed by a tutorial on creating your very own chat mats (the how). Attendees will leave with tons of ideas and a ready made Chat Mat to bring into their classes on Monday.

This proposal promotes the integration of community-engaged learning (CEL) methodologies into the French language classroom curriculum. By blending theory with practical experience, students not only enhance their linguistic skills but also develop cultural understanding and empathy. We will delve into the theoretical framework supporting CEL and showcase its application through a case study of collaboration between the French language program at Nazareth University and Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services in Rochester. Through this partnership, students engage in meaningful interactions with refugee communities from French-speaking Africa, enhancing their language skills while fostering social justice and intercultural competence.