National Bulletin Volume 25 No
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American Association of Teachers of French NATIONAL BULLETIN VOLUME 25 NO. 4 APRIL 2000 For the first time in eleven years, the tion as the convention approaches. In ad- mation appeared in the three previous is- AATF will return to Paris for its annual con- dition, the Exhibit Hall will be open to all sues of the National Bulletin and is also vention. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime congressistes with not only exhibits but a posted, along with the hotel registration form opportunity to spend the dawn of the new cyberespace, a café littéraire, and some lim- on the AATF Web site [http://aatf.utsa.edu/]. millennium in the City of Light. We are meet- ited food service. Contact the FIAP directly to check on avail- ing alongside the Fédération Internationale The AATF Preliminary Program can be ability at 30, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris; Tel: des Professeurs de Français, which repre- found on pages 17-28. It is also posted on 33.1.43.13.17.17; FAX: 33.1.45.81.63.91; E- sents over 120 national associations of the Web site [http://aatf.utsa.edu/] where it mail: [girardin@fiap. asso.fr]. A special rate French teachers and of which the AATF is will be updated as more information be- of 10% off all published airfares on TWA has the largest member. The AATF alone repre- comes available. been negotiated for AATF members and im- sents approximately one-sixth of the world's The AATF Awards Banquet will take mediate family traveling with them (see in- French teachers. We expect 3500 teachers place on Wednesday evening, July 19. Ar- formation on page 30 for obtaining this of French from 120 countries to converge rangements have not yet been completed discount). The FIAP Jean on the Palais des Congrès for un congrès for this dinner event with entertainment, but, Monnet has also orga- inoubliable where French is the only com- as usual, we will honor our Outstanding nized pre- and mon language. Because of space con- Teachers, new Honorary Members, schol- post- straints, each group will have its own sepa- arship winners, and outgoing Executive con- rate program, but we will be side by side, Council members. vention and there will be many joint activities and Other features introduced at excursions opportunities to meet colleagues from recent conventions will to la Bretagne et le around the world. This will constitute the also be contin- Berry. A number of largest gathering of French teachers ever. ued—stop by spaces remain; check with the The convention begins on Monday, July the FIAP at the coordinates listed above 17 with a joint opening day. After a wel- for more specific information. come séance plénière with greetings from It is always a significant undertaking to representatives of the French govern- AATF organize a convention abroad. This par- ment and the international orga- exhibit ticular meeting has been more than three nizations of la Franco- booth to have years in the planning. However, we believe phonie, TV5 will offer your picture taken for a that the opportunity to meet with colleagues a multimedia post-convention press re- from all over the world, to share ideas for presenta- lease, request a certificate of par- promoting French, teaching techniques, tion ticipation, invite a colleague to take ad- trends in literary and cultural studies, and to and a vantage of our special offer of a one-year learn about each other's interests will be an mid-day r e - trial membership to first-time and student unforgettable experience. Many countries ception. RENDEZ-VOUSThe after- members, and obtain academic credit À for PARIS! noon will be devoted to convention attendance (see page 6 for more Inside this issue... Page conféren- ces by several out- specific information on obtaining credit). Letter from the President .................... 3-4 standing speakers. Late in the af- This year, congressistes who also register Executive Director's Message ................5 ternoon, congressistes will be treated to for a stage at the Chambre de Commerce et Paris Hotel Information ...........................5 Paristoric, a multimedia spectacle about d'Industrie de Paris will receive a 10% re- Credit for the Paris Convention ..............6 Paris. In the evening, all convention-goers fund on their convention registration (con- Chapter and Regional News ............ 7-10 will be welcomed to a reception at the tact National Headquarters for more infor- National French Week Grants ................8 Ministère des Affaires Étrangères. mation). Executive Council ................................ 11 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday July In order to avoid the late registration pen- Commission Chairs ............................. 12 18-20 will be devoted to the separate pro- alty, those attending the convention need to National French Week 2000 ................ 13 grams of each convention. However, register as soon as possible and no later Mots chassés ....................................... 14 throughout these three days there will be than June 15. The convention registration Francophone Cinema: A Primer ..... 15-16 numerous joint tables rondes, conférences, form appeared in the November National Paris Preliminary Program ............. 17-28 and presentations on topics such as tech- Bulletin and is posted on the AATF Web site Classroom Activity .......................... 29-31 nology, literature, langage policy, promotion, [http://aatf.utsa.edu/]. Paris will be crowded Special Airfares to Paris ...................... 33 and business French. There may also be in July 2000. If you have not yet made travel On the Teaching of French Culture . 35-37 other entertainment activities which have and hotel plans, please do so immediately. National French Week Materials ......... 37 not yet been finalized. Check the prelimi- Some hotel rooms remain. Reservations Materials Center .................................. 38 nary program on the AATF Web site [http:// for AATF members are being handled by Allons en Afrique ............................ 41-42 aatf.utsa.edu/] for more up-to-date informa- the FIAP Jean Monnet in Paris. Hotel infor- Calendar .............................................. 43 look to us for leadership and look to the way developing information and assisting things are done in the U.S. as the example with readers. Assisted them in begin- NEW LANGUAGE to follow. Let us remember that we will be ning a plan for a public relations cam- representing not only ourselves and our paign for languages. EDUCATION SERIES profession but our country to the rest of the • Worked with the Administration to sug- Contemporary Language Education Se- world. Most of all, the chance to experience gest increases in the President’s budget ries, Bergin & Garvey, Greenwood Publish- Paris in 2000 cannot be overlooked. Those request and contacted the Appropria- ing Group, Westport, CT; Series Adviser: who arrive a few days early for the conven- tions Subcommittees to successfully Terry A. Osborn, Ph.D., Queens College, tion will be able to celebrate le 14 juillet seek increased funding for programs of CUNY. 2000. Many of us will certainly be along the importance to JNCL-NCLIS, particularly Manuscripts and book proposals are Champs-Élysées that morning and on the FLAP and Title VI of HEA. sought for this series which will serve to Boulevard Périphérique later in the day for • Helped the staffs of two Senators and highlight a variety of works which examine, Périphérock where a long string of bands, two Representatives to reconstitute the report on, or challenge both theory and music, and dancing will surround the city. House/Senate International Education practice in language education both Rendez-vous à Paris en juillet 2000! Study Group in a bipartisan manner. domestically and worldwide. It should be • Hosted the annual Legislative Day and noted that foreign language education, Delegate Assembly which included 101 English as a Second Language education, JNCL-NCLIS 1999 congressional visits, briefings on reau- bilingual education, language minority thorization and important programs from education, specific languages (Spanish, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Department of Education policy makers, French, German, etc.), less commonly • Recommended to the Administration a and produced plans and strategies for taught languages, applied linguistics, lan- number of possible changes for reau- JNCL-NCLIS involvement in reauthoriz- guage for specific purposes (e.g., business thorization of the Elementary and Sec- ing the Elementary and Secondary Edu- language), language education for chil- ondary Education Act (ESEA). Foreign cation Act. dren, international education, language languages are now explicitly mentioned • Attended dozens of meetings and gave policy and planning are all examples of as eligible for funding in programs where presentations to member organizations, specialties which could potentially contrib- they did not appear before. coalitions, other organizations, govern- ute to the series. Though a broad range of • Worked with the Administration to draft ment agencies, and embassies. theoretical perspectives will be supported, only those who recognize the changing a greatly strengthened Foreign Lan- • Hired Krista Wark as Policy Analyst and social context of language education, guage Assistance Act with a commitment Kristin Poore as Office Manager. to increase the number of high quality expansion in our understanding of the • Continue to update and adapt our Web elementary foreign language programs nature of language and communication, a site to keep members informed about in 25% of our schools