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Showing posts from February, 2013

Notes on Blended Learning in Language Classrooms

Note: This post is not an endorsement of a product, simply my notes on the session. My pre-webinar hope is that there will be a focus on concepts that can be used regardless of tool. Today I sat in on a Webinar from  Michael Schutzler , CEO of LiveMocha on Blended Learning in Language Classrooms.  Schultzler noted that 1 out of 3 high school students take a world language, but there is a 95% failure rate on their ability to converse conversationally, including students who get a 4 on AP World Language tests. He argues that we teach basic facts and encourage regurgitation, but language is a performing art. Performance anxiety with artists is the same as performance anxiety for students attempting to speak a foriegn language. Practice makes perfect! It is essential to hear and watch native speakers in that language conversing in topics you are interested in. Breaking those conversations down into component parts, and then having the student practice that with a native s...