Language Council Conference

Language instructors Lucila González-Cirre (Spanish), Pamela Poole (French), and Denali St. Amand (Latin) attended the 2017 California Community College Foreign Language Council (CCCFLC) Conference at the College of the Canyons Valencia campus on October 21st, a great opportunity for instructors to exchange information on the latest foreign language technology tools, newly developed class materials, and best teaching practices. Keynote presentations included “Teaching the Language Natives Speak: How to Add Culture to Textbooks,” among other pedagogical strategies. G. Lèpere explored the importance of emphasizing current socio-cultural issues in language curricula, so that students can see the relevance of the language in real context. She also shared samples of colloquial language for the classroom that would help students transition to be more accurate, real-life communicators. Other topics covered included: the benefits and concerns regarding application of Open Educational Resources (OER) to language learning, how low enrollment in foreign language has been of great concern in community colleges and universities in Southern California, and a hands-on session on “Using the Zodiac Signs to Expand Vocabulary.” No doubt, the three instructors left the conference with new tools in their didactic toolboxes!