Unit Plan

Overview

While the use of Distance Education as a medium of instruction has been around for many years, in recent times there has been increased awareness of its potential. Foreign Language instructors have also embraced this medium in their quest to find new ways:

• To educate more people who for various reasons may not have the opportunity to learn Spanish in a traditional face to face classroom situation.

• To promote understanding of the target culture among Spanish students.

The unit is aimed at demonstrating how the primary skill areas necessary for language proficiency (listening, reading, speaking, writing and cultural awareness) may be taught using the Distance Education approach. To achieve this end, the unit is divided into different areas:

Overview of Distance Education

• What is Distance Education?
• Is Distance Education effective?
• How is Distance Education delivered?
• Which Technology is best?
• Effective Distance Education
• Key Players in Distance Education

Communicative Language Teaching

With Communicative Language Teaching, focus is on the development of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and cultural awareness.
 
 

Some Specific Technologies useful in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning

• Print
• Audio/Audio Conferencing
• Internet

(Audio Conferencing Lesson on May 25, 2000)

Cultural Links

• Chilito’s Mexican Restaurant (Kingston, Jamaica)

• Greetings/Introductions

Sample Lesson Plan (and Dialogue)
 
 

General Objectives of the Unit

The objectives of the Unit are to develop in the students an awareness of:

• Distance Education in general as a tool for the delivery of educational programs.

• The basic principles of Communicative Language Teaching. The focus will be on Spanish.

• Some Technologies used in Distance Education.

• How different Technologies can be incorporated into the Spanish classroom.

Advance Organizers

The lecturer will initiate introductory discussions on aspects of Distance Education/ Foreign Language Teaching in preparation for the material to be covered.

The students will also view video presentations/audio interviews of aspects of Foreign Language teaching. They will be asked specific questions based on what was presented.

Content Material

Printed Handouts, Audio and Videotaped materials on:

• Aspects of culture

• Distance Education

• Communicative Language Teaching

Live links with at least one Distance Education Spanish program overseas.

Activities
Students form groups and make presentations on Distance Education technologies.
 
Assessment

Coursework: You are a teacher of Spanish in your country who for the past few years have used Distance Education in the delivery of Spanish instruction. You have been invited to present a paper at an international conference on "Distance Education and Foreign Language Teaching and Learning - Challenges and Opportunities".

Your presentation should not exceed 5,000 words and you must include at least one practical example of a Distance Education Spanish lesson.

For suggestions and comments e-mail me at nsalmon@nova.edu.

Back to Nadine's Villa Home Page.