Thursday, April 21, 2011

Teaching Classical Languages

The latest issue of the journal Teaching Classical Languages, edited by John Gruber-Miller of Cornell College, has now been made available for download.

Articles in this issue include:
  • Rebecca Harrison, "Exercises for Developing Prediction Skills in Reading Latin Sentences" (describes more than 20 field tested exercises to help beginning and intermediate students become more efficient readers of Latin)
  • Peter Anderson & Mark Beckwith, "Form-Focused Teaching for the Intermediate Latin Student" ( introduces teachers to form-focused instruction, a pedagogy that integrates grammar instruction within a communicative context)
  • Albert Watanabe, "The 2010 College Greek Exam" (an analysis of students' strengths and weaknesses on the 2010 College Greek Exam)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

LET'S LEARN LATIN: A WORKSHOP FOR ES/MS TEACHERS!

LET'S LEARN LATIN: A WORKSHOP FOR ES/MS TEACHERS!
the Latin language - Latin vocabulary - word roots - ancient Roman
culture - Greek & Roman mythology - techniques for incorporating these
topics into your classroom

August 1-3, 2011 / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Clara Byrd Baker ES, Williamsburg, VA
co-sponsors: WJCC Schools & Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute

Let's Learn Latin will introduce elementary and middle school teachers to the world of Latin and the ancient Romans through three days of engaging lessons. Teachers get to play the role of students, learning the material through the same activities and lessons that they will be able to use in their own classrooms. Participants will enjoy learning the basics of Latin, using a colorful, interesting, kid-friendly text called Minimus, richly supplemented by effective and innovative activities to practice the material. Other topics include Latin vocabulary, word roots, and Roman culture and mythology. No previous experience with Latin is needed!

In addition, participants will explore ways of teaching about key vocabulary terms and cultural topics that integrate with the various chapters and language topics of Minimus. Participants will receive myriad classroom-ready materials on all topics studied. CEU's are available; all participants will receive a certificate documenting their 16.5 contact hours. One graduate credit is optional via Ashland University.

Register: by mail or online.
Deadline: 7/1/11. Limited to 15 participants.
Cost: $150 (includes registration, all workshop materials and resources, and light breakfast with coffee). Lunch is available for a separate nominal charge.

Visit the Ascanius Youth Classics Institute (http://www.ascaniusyci.org) website to get additional workshop details, to purchase publications, or to find out about and schedule other professional development opportunities or student programs.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Conventiculum Bostoniense

It's not too late to apply for the Conventiculum Bostoniense, July 30-August 7, 2011, a week-long Latin immersion program sponsored by UMass Boston and held on the campus of UMass Darmouth, near the south coast of Massachusetts.

Participants take one of two courses for two or three graduate credits:

1) Newcomers to spoken Latin take "Active Learning Methodologies for Teachers of Latin," in which they are introduced not only to speaking Latin but also to second language acquisition theory and its application in the Latin classroom.

2) Experienced speakers take "Living Text", which focuses this year on the poems of Catullus, and also includes the development of classroom materials that incorporate active methods (speaking and writing).

Further information and application materials are available at: http://www.conventiculum.org.