By Sandra Baumel Durazzo, Head of Internationalization and Languages at Bahema Educação – Brazil The role of schools today is different from what it used to be. In the 21st century, schools aim at preparing students to participate actively and critically in a world with subtle frontiers. Thus, instead of transmitting information, it is necessary […]
Continue readingThe Washback Effect: Long-term Impacts of the AAPPL in the Classroom
By Chris Lemon, Northmont High School, Clayton, OH (Spanish Teacher, Department Chair) Four years ago, our school chose the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Language (AAPPL, Form B: Novice High to Advanced Low), over sixteen other options, as our preferred method for students to earn the Seal of Biliteracy accepted by our state. […]
Continue readingReasons for the AAPPL Beyond the Seal of Biliteracy
My introduction to the AAPPL test came with the inception of the Seal of Biliteracy in the State of Iowa. Like many world language educators in Iowa at that time, my department began investigating the different ways that we could help our students prove their qualifications and obtain the Seal. Earning the Seal of Biliteracy […]
Continue readingTips for Encouraging Test Stamina during AAPPL Testing
I get so excited watching my students focusing so hard as they take the AAPPL. However, immediately after the test, the students seemed stunned, mentally spent, and slightly overwhelmed. I worried at first that this was caused by the test being too difficult for them, but then realized that it’s the result of the stamina […]
Continue readingLearning from AAPPL Results
I cried real tears the first time I received my students’ AAPPL scores. I had much to celebrate: great accomplishments on the Interpretive components, with several students obtaining scores high enough for our state’s Seal of Biliteracy, and those “surprise kids” performing better than expected. But they weren’t just the happy kind of tears; for […]
Continue readingBackward Design and the AAPPL
By Chris Lemon, Northmont High School, Clayton, OH (Spanish Teacher, Department Chair) Comprehensible input. Movies. Language Clubs. Guest speakers. Pirates. Conversations. Fly swatter vocabulary matches. Video Pen Pals. Study abroad. A language program can take many forms and have some—or none—of these. But how do you achieve one that is authentic, fun, and successful all at […]
Continue readingUsing AAPPL Topics to guide curriculum planning: An educator’s perspective
Recently, ACTFL put out their comprehensive list of topics for the AAPPL. These topics offer excellent preparation for the test. I’ve also found them to be valuable in other aspects of my curriculum building and unit planning. I began my teaching career in the formulaic era of Realidades and Paso a Paso‘s thematic chapters about […]
Continue readingTop 10 Tips Before Administering the AAPPL
In preparation for your fall AAPPL testing season, we have pulled together a list of Top Ten Tips to help ensure that your AAPPL experience this year is a smooth one. 1. Choose your proctoring mode and think through the steps you will need to take to set yourself and your students up. These resources can […]
Continue readingFocusing On What’s Important This Year
Chris Lemon, Northmont High School, Clayton, OH (Spanish Teacher, Department Chair) A young woman from Spain fell in love with a man from Chile, moved there with him and made a family. Along the way Ofelia discovered democracy and political organizing and volunteered for Salvador Allende’s presidential campaign. Along with many other people at the […]
Continue readingReflection on ACTFL 2019: Learning to be an Advocate
My experiences at the annual ACTFL convention are always a little different from a “typical” ACTFL attendee. Given my district role as a program supervisor, I am fortunate to start ACTFL Week on Tuesday, when the National Association of District Supervisors for Foreign Language (NADSFL) convenes for its annual meeting. By the time ACTFL convention […]
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