[VIDEO] Researchers Work to Maintain Choctaw Language By Adapting CAL Assessment

CAL researchers have developed a native language assessment tool for students of the Choctaw language in Mississippi. The project, โ€œAnnopa Tikbishtiya,โ€ or โ€œCarry the Language Forward,โ€ is ensuring that the language flourishes and grows from generation to generation. โ€œWhen you see a student demonstrate [proficiency in the language], it gives hope.โ€ -Jason Lewis

The Guiding Principles and the Critical Third Pillar: Sociocultural Competence

Did you know that the earlier editions of the Guiding Principles referred to the third pillar as โ€œcross-cultural understandingโ€ rather than โ€œsociocultural competence?โ€ The change in terms in the 3rd edition was deliberate. It reflects a shift in thinking in two important ways: first, โ€œcross-cultural understandingโ€ infers that developing cultural competence is viable only in two-way programs attended by fairly equal numbers of English home-language students and โ€œpartnerโ€ home-language students and, secondly, that cultural competence may be limited to positive attitudes and feelings of self-esteem.

Sustainable Virtual PD for Educators of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students

After nearly a year of facilitating online professional development for educators across the U.S., Canada, and in international schools, I have learned that figuring out online teaching tools is akin to the language learning experience itself. With enough practice, you gain confidence, proficiency, and get to interact with people you otherwise might not meet at home.

Fortunately for educators of linguistically and culturally diverse students, students can practice and apply all four language domainsโ€”reading, writing, listening, and speakingโ€“using online technology.