Press Release for Modern Greek Language Standards
10/22/12
ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) has lead the way in the task of defining content standards — what students should know and be able to do — in foreign language education. The final document first published 11 years ago, Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Preparing for the 21st Century, represents an unprecedented consensus among educators, business leaders, government, and the community on the definition and role of foreign language instruction in American education. Teachers, administrators, and curriculum developers at both state and local levels, have used this visionary document, to begin to improve foreign language education in our nation’s schools for the past 11 years. Noteworthy for the Greek community is that Modern Greek language standards will be added to this document in the upcoming 2013 edition. Establishing standards for Modern Greek language learning and teaching, will promote better learning and teaching practices, strong curricula at the local and national level, better assessment practices, and opportunities for the professionalization of teachers of Modern Greek.
It is brought to the attention of all interested persons and especially of teachers of Modern Greek living and working in the USA, that two exceptionally professional venues for the enhancement of the teaching and learning of Modern Greek are being planned on November 16, 2012. First of all, at the forthcoming ACTFL Annual Convention & World Language Expo to be held at the Philadelphia Convention Center, November 16-18, 2012 they will be able to learn about the work of the ad hoc Task Force for Modern Greek Language Standards which will be formally presented at the Modern Greek Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting at the ACTFL convention, in addition to participating in four other professional Modern Greek Language seminars. Secondly, a special community networking Reception & Celebration is being organized for Modern Greek Language Educators, Leaders and Friends at a premier Greek Restaurant in the heart of Philadelphia, Estia: A Greek Mediterranean Restaurant
(15 minute walk from Pennsylvania Convention Center and by reservation only). This special event will feature: a Café of Ideas Reception at 5 pm [An interactive opportunity to learn from one another by sharing local best practices & projects], and at 6:30 pm a Dinner & Community Celebration of the Modern Greek Language Standards and other efforts to promote Modern Greek Language in America.
For more detailed information on both the ACTFL Convention and the Modern Greek Language Reception & Celebration events an informational brochure and invitational leaflet are attached.
