A lending library of K-12 resources is available for VFLA members.

Contact Allison Litten, PO Box 154, Norwich, VT 05055 (h) 603-643-4380

Materials may be borrowed for up to three weeks.

Your only cost will be the return shipment. This is an excellent way to do research or to preview for personal purchase.

We welcome your comments on these materials for the benefit of other members or suggestions for new titles. Send comments or suggestions to Allison Litten.

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New 2007 title: The 2007 NECTFL Reports on DVD. Features the Annenberg Media video "Valuing Diversity in Learners", the workbook to accompany the video, and a juried collection of articles on the topic from educators at all levels.

New titles as of October 2005:

CD-Rom: "50 Years of the Northeast Conference Reports"

"Provides a wealth of information: 10,000 pages in a single source; saves time doing an on-line search; convenient catalogue of foreign and second language issues covering a 50 year period."

"Early Language Learning: A Model for Success." Carol M. Saunders Semonsky and Marcia A. Spielberger. Information Age Publishing, Inc. Greenwich, CT. 2004.

The whole story behind Georgia's Elementary School Foreign Languages Model Program initiative. Includes step-by-step process with helpful detail in curricular, unit and lesson planning. Demonstrates the reality of making the paradigm shift to K-12 language instruction in public schools.

"Language by Video: An Overview of Foreign Language Instructional Videos for Children." Nancy C. Rhodes and Ingrid Pufahl. CAL and Delta Systems, Inc. Washington, D.C. 2004.

Reviews the research on use of video instruction in elementary foreign language programs; systematic analysis of five video-based language programs; overview of live broadcast and interactive video technologies; and practical implications and recommendations for how best to use these programs.

The following new titles to our library are available:

"A Challenge to Change - The Language Learning Continuum (Strategies for More Effective Language Instruction & Lessons Learned From the Articulation and Achievement Project". Claire W. Jackson, Exec. Ed. 1999 College Entrance Exam Board.

Presents conclusions from a six year project to observe actual classroom practices and assess student performance. This resource introduces the Language Learning Continuum, which "defines and describes the measurable characteristics of each of five stages in student linguistic development between middle school and the sophomore year in college." (p. x.) The aim of this book is improve instruction and articulation through better understanding of student performance.

"Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century". 1999 National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project.

Very practical! Separate chapters with lesson/unit examples to meet the five standards specific to the following languages: Chinese, Classical Languages, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

"Fluency through TPR Storytelling - Achieving Real Language Acquisition in School". Blaine Ray and Contee Seely. 3rd edition. 2002 Command Performance Language Institute.

In 15 short chapters on this approach to early fluency through comprehensible input, the authors describe supportive evidence, the step by step procedure for implementation, how the approach varies for years 1-4, use of texts, and teacher feedback. The glossary includes a list of resources, including books, listserv and contacts for training.

“Languages and Children--Making the Match: New Languages for Young Learners, Grades K-8”. Helena Curtain and Carol Ann Dahlberg. 3rd edition. 2004 Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley.

Both a methods text and practical guide. Provides sections on program models, theoretical foundations, planning, assessment, and program implementation. The Appendix provides sample lesson plans, objectives, and teaching resources.

“Critical Issues in Early Second Language Learning: Building for Our Children’s Future”. Myriam Met (editor). 1998 Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley.

Professional resource book provides current insights and information about second language study in the elementary school. Key issues include FLES, FLEX, and Immersion; when to begin an elementary school foreign language program; foreign language for all learners; language choice; content-based instruction; technology; articulation; assessment; implementation; strategies; teachers; priorities.

“Teaching Language in Context”. Alice Omaggio Hadley. 2001 Heinle & Heinle.

This resource combines review of the literature along with sample activities and approaches to model the methodology of learning language in context. Separate chapters address proficiency building in listening, reading, speaking, writing and cultural understanding. Another chapter addresses contextualized testing.

“Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen”. James Lee and Bill Van Patten. 2003 McGraw-Hill.

Addresses important questions such as what it means to teach communicatively, what are the proper roles of input and output in the classroom, how do learners read and write in a second language, and what approaches to testing and evaluation are appropriate for the communicative classroom. Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen begins by defining communicative language teaching and proceeds to explore underlying assumptions, the roles of teachers and learners, related theoretical and research issues, and offers practical suggestions.

“New Visions/New Realities: Real World Language Learning in the 21st Century,” an advocacy video by the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association (MaFLA).

The Lending Library also has:

“Foreign Language Assessment in Grades K-8: An Annotated Bibliography of Assessment Instruments.” 1997 CAL/ERIC.

Each entry includes information about current users of the instrument, availability, level, and format. General resources about assessment also included.

“Lessons Learned: Model Early Foreign Language Programs.” Douglas F Gilzow and Lucinda E. Branaman. 2000 CAL/ERIC/Delta Systems Co/LAB.

The first in a series of books to provide teachers with current information on language teaching. This volume describes seven successful foreign language teaching programs for Grades K-8 in various states. Each chapter focuses on a particular program, describing the strategies and techniques used by teachers and administrators, and offering practical suggestions for others interested in implementing a similar program.

“New Hampshire Guidelines for World Language Learning: Kindergarten-College.” 1997 NHAWLT.

Goals, stages of learning, continuum charts with expected outcomes, assessment, sample lessons, implementation.

“FLES* in Longmeadow: The Journey of One Suburban School District.” 1999 MaFLA.

One district's implementation of a FLES program is described through articles, task force report, implementation schedule, curriculum, vocabulary lists and sample activities.

“A Standards-Based Thematic Unit: Crictor.” 1998 National K-12 Foreign Language Resource Center.

The companion thematic unit guide for the story, "Crictor", by T. Ungar, the adventures of a boa constrictor sent to live with an elderly woman in Paris. Includes 17 activities. Story not included.

“Why Learn Another Language?” VFLA’s own advocacy video.