I Grant Application for the Title VI LANGUAGE RESOURCE
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Hawai‘i application: Language Resource Centers Program i Grant Application for the Title VI LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTERS PROGRAM Catalog of federal domestic assistance # 84 229 Title: TITLE VI LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTERS PROGRAM Project Director: C. N. Moore, Dean of LLL, P.I.; Richard Schmidt, NFLRC Director 1890 East-West Road #570 Honolulu HI 96822 tel. 808–956–2784 fax 808–956–2802 email: [email protected] type of submission application, non-construction Program not covered by EO 12372 Proposed project dates: 10/1/99 – 9/30/02 Exemption number: 1, 2 MARCH 1999 Hawai‘i application: Language Resource Centers Program ii CONTENTS CERTIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................................iv ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................ viii APPLICATION NARRATIVE......................................................................................................1 1. PLAN OF OPERATION ....................................................................................................1 1.1. Organization of the Center...............................................................................................2 1.2. Description of research and materials development projects...........................................5 1.2.1. Development of computer-based tests for less commonly taught languages.............6 1.2.2. Task-based language teaching in foreign language education...................................9 1.2.3. Teaching the pragmatics of Indonesian as a foreign language................................10 1.2.4. Linking community resources and classroom language instruction........................12 1.2.5. Disseminating technology-based models for distance education ............................17 1.2.6. Continuation of the journal Language Learning & Technology................................18 1.2.7. Summer Institutes for Professional Development ...................................................19 2. QUALITY OF KEY PERSONNEL.......................................................................................22 3. ADEQUACY OF RESOURCES ..........................................................................................27 4. NEED AND POTENTIAL IMPACT...................................................................................33 5. LIKELIHOOD OF ACHIEVING RESULTS.......................................................................37 6. FINAL FORM OF RESULTS...............................................................................................40 7. EVALUATION PLAN.........................................................................................................44 8. BUDGET AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS..........................................................................47 9. PRIORITIES..........................................................................................................................50 Hawai‘i application: Language Resource Centers Program iii APPENDICES Appendix A: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION FOR STAFF AND FACULTY ............A1 Appendix B: TIMELINE OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES .......................................................... B1 BUDGET Budget 1 Hawai‘i application: Language Resource Centers Program viii ABSTRACT The University of Hawai‘i seeks funding to continue the National Foreign Language Resource Center (NFLRC) under the Language Resource Centers Program. The NFLRC, which is now completing nine productive years of operation, will continue to serve as a resource to improve the capacity to teach and learn foreign languages effectively through projects that focus on the less commonly taught languages of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, drawing on institutional strengths in the teaching of these languages as well as in the disciplines of applied linguistics and second language acquisition. The following project areas are proposed: (1) Development of computer-based tests for less commonly taught languages, (2) Task-based language teaching in foreign language education, (3) Teaching the pragmatics of Indonesian, (4) Linking community resources and foreign language instruction (one strand, focused on K–12, another on university-level instruction), (5) Technology-based models for distance education, (6) Continued sponsorship of the electronic journal Language Learning & Technology, and (7) Intensive summer institutes for professional development. Each of these projects includes the following key elements: • The selection of one or more less commonly taught language as the demonstration language, based on national needs and institutional resources; • The incorporation of advanced educational technology; • The integration of research and materials development with teacher training; • Dissemination of research findings, instructional materials, tests, and other products to the broadest possible audience of potential users; • An evaluation component for each project, compatible with GEPRA and EELIAS; • Linkages with institutional programs (including other Title VI programs) and national associations to ensure maximum effectiveness and leverage. Hawai‘i application: Language Resource Centers Program 1 APPLICATION NARRATIVE 1. PLAN OF OPERATION In view of the scope of the language programs at the University of Hawai‘i, its rich experience in language teaching and second language acquisition research, the existence of its Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center, and the demonstrated successful record of its National Foreign Language Resource Center (NFLRC) over the nine years it has been in operation, the University requests funding to continue to respond to national needs in language pedagogy, particularly for the less-taught languages of Asia and the Pacific. Readers who are familiar with the activities of the University of Hawai‘i NFLRC will notice significant changes between this proposal and the previous ones. The most important of these differences are: • Except for continued sponsorship of the online refereed journal Language Learning & Technology (launched during the previous funding cycle), all projects are new, although each one draws directly on strengths developed at the NFLRC through completed projects. Each new project area has been carefully defined to address continuing national needs for strengthening the capacity to teach and learn foreign languages, especially the less commonly taught languages; the need to conduct basic research in effective teaching strategies, the application of advanced technology to foreign language instruction, and the development of reliable and valid measures of foreign language testing; the need to train teachers in the administration and interpretation of foreign language performance tests, the use of effective teaching strategies, and the use of new technologies; and the need to disseminate research findings, instructional materials, tests, and other products to the broadest possible audience of potential users. Hawai‘i application: Language Resource Centers Program 2 · All projects have also been designed to address both the new authorizing language for the Language Resource Centers Program and widely recognized new needs in foreign language education. These include an extension of NFLRC activities to K–12 as well as tertiary foreign language education, incorporation of an evaluation component for each area of activity in line with GEPRA and EELIAS requirements, the integration of research, materials development and teacher training activities, and the establishment of linkages with institutional programs (including other Title VI programs) and national associations to ensure maximum effectiveness and leverage for all projects, · For each project, one or more of the less commonly taught languages of East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific has been chosen as the demonstration language. At the same time, since these projects have broad applications for the teaching of all languages, the results of these projects will be disseminated through publications, summer institutes, and other mechanisms to the larger educational community. 1.1. Organization of the Center The NFLRC will continue to be housed in the Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center, taking advantage of the existing administrative structure and the expertise of existing personnel. The Director is the overall administrative head of the NFLRC. The Director is ex-officio a member of the Advisory Board and of the Steering Committee. Richard Schmidt, Professor at the University, is the Director of the National Foreign Language Resource Center. The Associate Center Director aids the director in the programs of the NFLRC, has primary responsibilities with respect to materials development and teacher education, and serves as Director while the Director is absent or on leave. The Associate Center Director and the Hawai‘i application: Language Resource Centers Program 3 Director are jointly responsible for the Summer Institute. Dr. David Hiple, Director of the Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center, is NFLRC Associate Center Director. The Associate Director for Technology assists the director with respect to all aspects of project supervision related to technology. Robert Bley-Vroman, Associate Professor at the University and former NFLRC Director, is Associate Director for Technology. The NFLRC Consultant advises the director and associate director on all projects, serves as editor of the