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World Languages

2024-25 Book Studies on The Keys to Strategies for Language Instruction: Engagement, Relevance, Critical Thinking, Collaboration

Registration for this book study is now closed.  We have reached our capacity and are no longer accepting applications.

The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is proud to sponsor a series of book studies in 2024-25 using The Keys to Strategies for Language Instruction:  Engagement, Relevance, Critical Thinking, Collaboration by Leslie Grahn and Dave McAlpine. Four virtual book studies will be facilitated by teams of individuals who were trained by Leslie Grahn and Bill Heller during the 2023-24 school year.  NYS world language educators from district, charter, religious, and independent schools, as well as administrators who supervise world language departments, are encouraged to participate. 

Through this virtual book study, participants will do a deep dive into the why and how of instructional strategies for the world language classroom in alignment with the revised New York State World Languages Standards adopted in 2021. Gain thought processes for selecting and implementing instructional strategies that have communicative purpose and lead to growth in language proficiency. Time will be provided for small group processing and application of new ideas to classroom contexts. During the last session, participants will meet with and ask questions of Leslie Grahn and Bill Heller.

The dates for each book study are listed below.  Book study groups will meet once a month from September to May after school via Zoom (please note meeting times below).  Participants may earn up to 27 hours of CTLE credit (1.5 hours for each of 9 meetings and 13.5 hours for reading the book and preparing for meetings).  Participants must attend at least eight (8) of the nine (9) meetings in order to receive credit, a certificate of attendance, and a digital badge for their participation. The book, Enacting the Work of Language Instruction:  High Leverage Teaching Practices, Vol. 1, will be mailed to participants, free of charge, over the summer.  There is no cost to participate in this book study.

Book Study Group

Dates Facilitators

Mondays (Spanish/Italian)

4:00-5:30pm

Sept. 23rd, Oct. 28th, Nov. 25th, Dec. 16th, Jan. 20th, Feb. 24th, Mar. 17th, April 28th, May 19th   Nicole Alberico-Farr, Daniela Panasci, Stephanie Smith, Marisol Manriquez-Weiner

Wednesdays (Spanish)

4:30-6:00pm

Sept. 18th, Oct. 16th, Nov. 6th, Dec. 11th, Jan. 8th, Feb. 12th, Mar. 12th, April 23rd, May 14th   Jodie Bavaro, Pamela Stano

Thursdays

(French)

4:00-5:30pm

Sept. 26th, Oct. 17th, Nov. 21st, Dec. 12th, Jan. 16th, Feb. 6th, Mar. 13th, April 24th, May 15th   Anna Cartwright, Erin Johnson, Kazuko Saito

Thursdays

(Spanish)

4:00-5:30pm

Sept. 19th, Oct. 17th, Nov. 21st, Dec. 12th, Jan. 16th, Feb. 27th, Mar. 13th, April 24th, May 15th   Karen Dean, Andrea Hernandez Gallegos, Michele Izzo

The book studies are organized by language; however, educators of any language may participate in any of the book studies.  Educators must select one (1) of the following book studies in which to participate.

Please contact Candace Black via phone (585.356.0951) or email (candace.black@nysed.gov) with any questions regarding this book study.

To register for this book study, click here.