Leveraging Technology in Foreign Language Study

                   The way we teach and how we think about learning is changing rapidly, and this applies to language learning as well. A recent Project Tomorrow survey found that 69 percent of students would like to use technology for language learning. As smart devices become more accessible, it's time to leverage technology to reshape how learning gains are achieved. While research suggests that Foreign Language instruction will be a game change for this generation of students, ELL instruction also is critical. English language learners do not succeed at the same rate as their English-speaking peers, and the impact is felt nationwide; Today, 9 percent of the U.S population is not English proficient, and 11 percent of K-12 students are considered English language learners. With the generous support of Rosetta Stone, we've assembled this collection of stories from our archives, as well as additional resources to help you leverage new technology tools for language instruction.

                          This technology examines the oral, written and cultural gains of leveraging portable devices and online social networks for foreign language study abroad in a community service and real-world application context. Students at the University of Notre Dame studying Arabic language in Jordan this summer will follow a carefully structured pre-departure course, in the field and post-study abroad assignments in addition to their regular program coursework.

                         Students will directly share their documentary videos, with their Google+ circle, describing, their project and exchanging dialogues via written posts and Google's video conferencing service. The foreign language study abroad with technology is a pilot program at the University of Notre Dame conducted by the Center for the Study of Language and Cultures. The purpose of the program is to engage students in the community and apply their language in real-world contexts.

                           Google+ offers more functionality Facebook with Picasa, group video conferencing through "hangout" and privacy controls with "Circles". Mini tablets are powerful, convenient devices that can take photos, record videos, edit videos and provide internet access to share these items on Google+. Students will be given mini computer tablets to capture and chronicle in writing, photos, and videos their experiences and post in them in their Google+ circles. Their capstone project will be a short documentary of their volunteer work in Jordan. The documentary videos also will be posted on Google+.