The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) at the University of Minnesota provides high-quality professional development for language teachers through an annual program of intensive summer institutes. Launched in 1996, this internationally known program reflects CARLA’s commitment to link research and theory with practical applications for the classroom. Each institute is highly interactive and includes discussion, hands-on activities, and networking.
CARLA summer institute participants—more than 6,000 to date—have come from all over the world. They have included foreign/world language, ESL/EFL, and immersion teachers at all levels of instruction, as well as program administrators, curriculum specialists, and language teacher educators.
Join us for the 24th annual CARLA summer institute program!
Character Literacy Acquisition in Mandarin Immersion Classrooms:
Lessons from More- and Less-Proficient Readers—NEW
June 17–21, 2019
Presenters: Tara Fortune and Zhongkui Ju
Based on research with Mandarin immersion students, participants will work collaboratively to identify instructional practices designed to strengthen the requisite character literacy sub-skills and move learners towards more fluent character processing and text comprehension.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/mandarin.html
Transitioning to Teaching Languages Online—online course
June 20–July 10, 2019
Presenters: Claudine Bouchaud, Marlene Johnshoy, and Frances Matos
This intensive three-week online course provides language teachers with the experience of being an online learner while exploring the basics of creating a successful online language class.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/TTLO.html
Using the Web for Communicative Language Learning—online course
June 27–July 31, 2019
Presenters: Marlene Johnshoy and Lauren Rosen
In this five-week online course, participants will discover ways to use online tools to promote student language comprehension and production by motivating their participation and collaboration in the target language.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/usingtheweb.html
Language and Culture in Sync:
Teaching Linguistic Politeness and Intercultural Awareness—online course
July 15–August 2, 2019
Presenter: Noriko Ishihara
This three-week online course will provide teachers with practical insights on enhancing student learning of linguistic politeness and boosting students’ awareness of intercultural differences.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/linguistic.html
Developing Assessments for the Second Language Classroom
July 15–19, 2019
Presenter: Donna Clementi
After an overview of assessment fundamentals, foreign/world language teachers will learn how to create a standards-based performance assessment unit for their teaching context using the principles of Backward Design.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/assess.html
Creativity in the Language Classroom:
Fostering Student Learning Through Creative Language Experiences
July 15–19, 2019
Presenters: Anne Cummings Hlas and Amy Young
This fun institute is designed for second language teachers who want to promote creativity in their classroom while simultaneously improving learners’ target language proficiency.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/creativity.html
Exploring Learner Language: Puzzles and Tools in the Classroom
July 15–19, 2019
Presenters: LeeAnne Godfrey and Elaine Tarone
The focus of this institute is on the growth and development of the language learners produce, and how that growth may be enhanced by creating engaging, puzzle-solving activities to use in the classroom.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/ll_puzzles_tools.html
Using Technology in Second Language Teaching—online option
July 22–26, 2019
Presenters: Adolfo Carrillo Cabello, Marlene Johnshoy, and Dan Soneson
Participants will learn how to use technology to facilitate student use of the target language and get hands-on practice in using computers to promote students’ interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/tech.html
Exploring Project-Based Language Learning—NEW
July 22–26, 2019
Presenter: Stephen Tschudi
Participants will learn how to use established principles and standards for high-quality project-based learning to create their own compelling and contextualized language learning project.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/project-based.html
Using Authentic Materials to Develop Foreign Language Literacies
July 22–26, 2019
Presenter: Kate Paesani
Participants in this institute will learn how develop students’ foreign language literacies through engagement with authentic written, audio, audiovisual, visual, and digital materials.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/literacies.html
Culture as the Core in the Second Language Classroom
July 29–August 2, 2019
Presenters: Martha Bigelow and Kaishan Kong
After gaining a deeper understanding of how language-culture-identity informs their teaching, participants will learn how to integrate culture and language learning in their classrooms.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/culture.html
Teaching World Languages and Cultures in Elementary Settings—NEW
July 29–August 2, 2019
Presenters: Blanca Caldas and Christian Belden
In this institute, participants will gain proficiency-based lesson design and assessment skills necessary to teach world languages and cultures at the elementary level.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/elementary.html
Teaching Heritage Languages and Learners
July 29–August 2, 2019
Presenters: Jenna Cushing-Leubner and Jennifer Eik
Participants will learn how to create powerful learning environments to support the unique needs of heritage language learners in the classroom.
Learn more: carla.umn.edu/institutes/2019/heritage.html