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| Hinsdale Central Foreign Language Program, The. A four-year, sequential high school foreign language program designed to increase students' language proficiency and awareness of the value and benefits of foreign language study extending well beyond the high school and as an essential element of lifelong learning. |
Audience Approved by PEP for students in grades 9-12.
Description The Hinsdale Central Foreign Language Program provides a learning environment conducive to language acquisition and the development of cultural awareness; creates interest in further language study; develops goals and objectives communally; articulates within the department and with feeder schools; implements a variety of teaching strategies; conducts ongoing staff development; sustains effective departmental supervision; implements an enthusiastic public relations component; and maintains continuous intradepartmental communication regarding the effectiveness of daily and long-range activities. The program is not textbook or materials driven; any standard text may be adapted to achieve program goals. Daily, fifty-minute class periods exemplify the program's objectives of providing students a learning environment conducive to increasing achievement and developing interest in continuing language study. Elements of effective teaching are evident in daily and unit lesson planning. Learner activities are designed to allow for frequent, measured, graduated practice in communicative skills.
Evidence of Effectiveness Students participating in the program demonstrate significantly higher enrollment percentages than the comparison group and national averages; complete longer sequences of study than the comparison group; show significantly greater gains on standardized foreign language achievement tests than comparison students; and score higher on Advanced Placement Tests than the comparison group and national figures.
Requirements Familiarization with features such as the departmental philosophy, supervision, accountability, program evaluation, peer-counseling and public relations components can be achieved with one or two days of consultation. A complete curriculum guide is available, and no special facilities are necessary. A two-day inservice is recommended for start-up.
Costs Costs are the same as those normally associated with an increase in enrollment in an existing Foreign Language Department; if no department exists, the highest costs incurred will be for staff salaries. First-year costs are $385 per student (25 per class), which includes personnel, inservice, equipment, and materials/supplies. Second-year costs are estimated al $315 per student (two classes of 25 students).
Services In addition to training and curriculum materials, follow-up consultation is available.
Developmental Funding: Local and state.
PEP No. 91-5 (2/19/91)
[Scholars in the Schools (SIS)]