Sustaining and Strengthening Less Commonly Taught Languages in Precarious Times: Focus on Pedagogy and Placement

Presentations

Heritage-friendly LCTL Placement Tools
Carter Griffith and Anna Hubbard, University of Minnesota

In recent years, the University of Minnesota has developed several new placement tools for LCTLs, both formal placement tests and non-binding enrollment recommendation tools. An important component in these instruments is the recognition of heritage learner status, which, through collaboration with the LCTL departments, creates a more meaningful and appropriate course placement process.

Teacher for a Day
Ida Moen Johnson, University of Wisconsin-Madison

This presentation will share an example for facilitating student leadership and engagement by planning and executing a lesson for the group in the final weeks of class. Students planning the lesson follow course practices in which they study a text, video, or podcast and complete an assignment for each class meeting. The presentation will offer guidelines for success.

Hybrid Ancient Greek with OneNote’s Course Notebook
Ryan Platte, Northwestern University

This presentation will discuss how OneNote’s little known Classroom Notebook function allows synchronous and asynchronous delivery of instruction and course content. Attendees will also learn about the function’s utility in organizing and presenting the wide array of material that LCTL instructors often gather beyond their textbook resources.

From Zero to Textbook: A Replicable Model for Rare Languages
Aleksei Rumiantsev, Indiana University

Developed within the framework of the Center for Languages of the Central Asian Region at Indiana University, this project produced the first English-language textbook for Chuvash, a vulnerable Turkic language. The project demonstrates that even programs with very small enrollments can create sustainable learning pathways for students, providing a replicable model for other LCTLs by emphasizing faculty-driven materials development, adaptable content suitable for both specialists and beginners, and cross-institutional sharing that broadens access well beyond a single campus.