InTASC STANDARD Nine: Professional learning and ethical practice: The teacher engages in

ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice,

particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other

professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Name of Artifact: FL 561 Tasks 1-4 on Pages 8-10

Course: FL 561 Teaching Second Languages: Theory into Practice

Date: 8 June 2017

ACTFL Standards Addressed: Making Connections: Learners build, reinforce, and expand their

knowledge of other disciplines while using the language to develop critical thinking and to solve

problems creatively.

Rationale:

Professional organizations are important because they provide valuable information and

support as well as standards for the professionals they serve. ACTFL (American Council on the

Teaching of Foreign Languages) is the national professional organization for foreign language

educators. ACTFL includes teachers of all foreign languages. ACTFL has created standards,

proficiency level categories, and can-do statements. These valuable tools provide guidance to

teachers to better assess their students competences. When a teacher uses these tools, he or she

can compare results across years. He or she could also compare results with colleagues. As

teachers use these common measurements for data comparison, they can make informed

decisions as they plan for instruction. While ACTFL is the national organization, there are

several regional organizations as well as state organizations. The regional and state

organizations offer conference and other services. This makes the services more accessible

(Shrum & Glisan, 2015).

 In addition to ACTFL, many foreign languages have their own professional organization.

They offer conferences as well as offering language specific research and information. This

allows teachers to focus on language specific concerns. As a member of AATF (American

Association of Teachers of French), I can recognize my students achievement of a high level

proficiency by sponsoring an honor society. There are resources for promoting French language

learning. AATF releases two publications: The French Review and The National Bulletin. The

National Bulletin provides instructional activities, news items, and other language specific local

issues. The French Review features peer reviewed research articles as well as reviews of

professional resources (http://www.frenchteachers.org/aatfabout.htm).

The support and services offered by these professional organizations may help shape

language teachers professional identities. Identity changes throughout a persons life. People

often do not notice aspects of their identity until they are exposed to someone or something that

is different from their own. As language teachers, we expose our students to different cultures

and perspectives. This may cause our students to notice their own perspectives or cultures

especially if the people in their community share their perspectives and culture. People

sometimes do not realize the value they place on aspects of their identity until those aspects are

put in contrast with another culture or perspective where those aspects are either not present or

not valued (Jackson, 2014). People sometimes do not have the opportunity to experience this

contrast until they go to a foreign country. As foreign language educators, we have the privilege

of offering this opportunity to our students.

 References

Jackson, J. (2014). Introducing langauge and intercultural communication (1st ed.). New York,

NY: Routledge.

Shrum, J. L., & Glisan, E. W. (2015). Teachers handbook (5th ed.). United States of America:

Cengage Learning.