The Washington State Coalition for International Education is partnering with the Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT) to support language teachers to complete the Avant ADVANCE Online Teacher Training Tool on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines through 2022.
What?
Through the online self-paced training, teachers will learn the principles of the ACTFL Language Proficiency standards, practice rating student responses, and receive immediate feedback on their rating accuracy on novice through advanced level responses.
What WAFLT is adding is free Zoom sessions that course participants can attend to give them a little structure to get started and motivation to complete the course. Course completers will receive a Certificate from Avant.
How?
WAFLT has been offered the special association price for ADVANCE™ licenses of $199 for a one-year license. (The one-year period begins as soon as you access the course.) Anyone can purchase a license through WAFLT at that price at: Washington Association For Language Teaching – Online store product (wildapricot.org).
We also strongly encourage you to join WAFLT to support projects like this that are coordinated by WAFLT volunteers. In addition, current WAFLT members can receive 12 free clock hours from WAFLT upon completing the Certification. Washington Association For Language Teaching – Join (wildapricot.org)
You are also welcome to attend the WAFLT – Avant Advance™ Check-In whether or not you have purchased the course. Check the Internationaledwa Events to register for the next check-in. This would be a good time to preview the course and decide if it’s something you’d like to do this year as a positive move in your own professional development as a language teacher.
Testimonials
In summer 2019, WAFLT and Seattle Public Schools supported 46 World Language and Dual Language Immersion teachers to register for the online course, and 29 of those completed the certification and earned 12 WAFLT clock hours.
Here are two testimonials from WAFLT members who earned certificates:
Ben Fisher: This has been one of the most helpful PDs I have ever experienced. I often find that teachers argue about what this or that level of proficiency/performance looks like without truly knowing what those terms mean, and this course served to clarify my wonderings. I feel now that I can bring some expertise to PLCs and department-level meetings that will be truly supportive and helpful. I also feel less nervous for my own courses, as I can set performance goals and know how to appropriately reach them. I would 100% recommend this to other teachers so that they, too, can understand the implications the performance descriptors have for their instruction.
Lynn Johnston: I would also highly recommend this course. It really helps you understand the proficiency levels and phrases that are useful to move students up the levels. Reading the selections, trying to score them, and then seeing how they are actually scored was helpful. I did it in French last summer and am considering doing the Spanish one this time.
Questions? Contact Michele Anciaux Aoki intledwa@gmail.com.