Learning from Less Commonly Taught Languages

Our colleagues teaching LCTLs are sometimes portrayed as isolated, overworked individuals locked in their offices creating new materials. But the challenges of teaching a LCTL have spurred collaborations, new sources of materials and media, and innovation in teaching and assessment. What can we learn from our colleagues? How can and does their work impact ours? How can we work together?

Chicago Public School teachers and others: CPDUs will be available for the Language Symposium.

Symposium Schedule

All of the day's talks will be held in Kent Hall 107. Registration, breakfast, lunch and refreshments during the breaks will be offered in Cobb Hall 201.

8:00 AM Registration and Breakfast

9:00 AM Welcome and Keynote

10:15 AM Break

10:45 AM Session 1

12:15 PM Catered Lunch

1:15 PM Session 2

2:45 PM Mini-Break

3:00 PM Session 3

4:00 PM Closing Reception in the Chicago Language Center (Cobb Hall 211)

Presentations

Keynote

“Beyond the Crisis: The Future of Language Study in the US”

Dr. Stephane Charitos, Director, Language Resource Center, Columbia University

Session 1

“When ‘Less’ Becomes ‘More': LCTLs and Program Dynamics at the Middlebury Language Schools"

Per Urlaub, Associate Dean, Middlebury Language Schools

“Transitioning Online: A LCTL Challenge”

Emily Heidrich, Project Manager, and Luca Giupponi, Technology Director, Center for Language Teaching Advancement, Michigan State University

“The Illinois Portuguese Language Connection: Connecting Programs and Students Beyond the Classroom"

Ana Maria Lima, Senior Lecturer, University of Chicago; Ana Clotilde Thome Williams, Associate Professor of Instruction, Northwestern University; and Raquel Castro Goebel, Portuguese Program Director, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Session 2

“Towards a Pedagogy of Engagement and Intercultural Critical Literacies: Teaching with Current Events”

Elsa Amanatidou, Director, Modern Greek Studies, Brown University

“Materials Development and the Single Instructor Program: Navigating the Conflicting Demands of Current Course Delivery and Preparation for the Future”

Farkhondeh Shayesteh, Persian Program Director, Yale University

“Building an Open Curriculum – Lessons from Reality Czech”

Christian Hilchey, Lecturer, Slavic and Eurasian Studies, University of Texas at Austin

Session 3

“Oral Proficiency Development in LCTL Contexts”

Bryce Johnson, Korean Teaching Specialist, University of Minnesota

“Getting Ready for Blending?”

Anna Szawara, Lecturer, Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literatures, University of Illinois at Chicago

Registration Fees

$35.00 Pre-Registration

$55.00 On-site Registration

Pre-Registration closes at 8:00 AM on Thursday, April 19.

Hotel Information

If you will be travelling from outside the Chicago area, we can recommend the following options near the University of Chicago Campus. There may also be rooms in the Hyde Park area available through Airbnb. Being able to walk around Hyde Park and to campus is a great advantage.

Hyatt Place Chicago South

5225 S. Harper Avenue

773-752-5300

Walkable (1.3 miles).

Chicago Lake Shore Hotel

4900 South Lake Shore Drive

773-288-5800

Need a car to get to campus.

Quadrangle Club

1155 East 57th Street

773-702-7221

Closest to campus.