Innovation proposal: Blended learning in the foreign language classroom

Dr. S,

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I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to express my gratitude for the opportunity to teach at St. Anne and to thank you for your support in implementing some initial changes in the Spanish classroom. As I reflect on the progress we've made so far, I am excited to propose an additional enhancement that I believe will greatly benefit our students and the Spanish language program.

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During our initial discussions, you mentioned your interest in expanding and enriching the program to offer more challenging and rewarding experiences to our students. With that goal in mind, I initially requested some technological enhancements to create a blended learning environment that facilitates differentiation. With your assistance, we successfully integrated technology into the classroom, making it easier to meet students' diverse needs.

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As a next step, I want to incorporate digital tools that will not only enhance the student learning experience but also encourage a shift in students' mindset from a focus on grades to valuing effort and progress. I believe this shift is crucial in fostering a growth mindset among our students, where they understand that effort and persistence are the keys to language proficiency. To accomplish this, I suggest adding a digital component to the Spanish language curriculum. This would include a digital curriculum that incorporates various online books, enabling tailored instruction for each grade level. Through this program, students could submit both written and spoken assignments directly into the application. We currently do not have a way to record our students speaking and writing abilities. This application would solve that problem.   

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In addition, I propose integrating the DuoLingo application into the Chromebooks assigned to the Spanish classroom. DuoLingo offers a gamified learning experience that allows students to progress at their own pace while engaging in friendly competition with their peers. This gamification element has been shown to boost motivation and participation in language learning. Moreover, DuoLingo provides comprehensive language practice across listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills, catering to students at all proficiency levels. Its Google Classroom integration allows teachers to monitor student progress effectively, providing valuable insights into each student's learning journey.

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As an immediate project, I would like to implement DuoLingo as a pilot program, alongside our regular coursework this Spring semester. This pilot program would involve not only our Spanish language students but also ESL students, allowing us to assess its effectiveness across different learner groups. I am committed to closely monitoring the program's impact, gathering data on student progress and feedback to determine its viability for integration into the full curriculum in future semesters.

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Should the pilot program yield positive results in terms of student improvement and engagement, I propose fully integrating the online component into the Spanish language program starting next fall. Conversely, if the data indicates areas for improvement or if student feedback suggests a need for alternative approaches, I am prepared to continue exploring other digital tools to enhance our language learning initiatives.

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Thank you for considering this proposal. I am eager to collaborate with you and the rest of the faculty to provide our students with the best possible learning experiences in the Spanish language program.

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Warm regards,

Maria Montemayor

References

Horn, M., & Staker, H. (2014). Blended (1st ed.). Wiley. Retrieved from 

https://www.perlego.com/book/996757/blended-using-disruptive-innovation-to-improve-schools-pdf (Original work published 2014)

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Staker, H. (2011). The Rise of K-12 Blended Learning: Profiles of Emerging Models. Innosight Institute. 2929 Campus Drive Suite 410, San Mateo, CA 94403. Tel: 650-887-0788; e-mail: info@innosightinstitute.org; Web site: http://www.innosightinstitute.org.

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