A Successful Language Program

2009 CHINESE LEARN CONFERENCE

Luba Grant & Richard DonovanDefense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and all findings contained in this presentation are those of the author(s) of this presentation and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

Asian School I Org Chart

Critical Elements of Success• Program Management• Faculty• Student Feedback/Evaluation• Collaboration• Motivation• Leadership

Program Management

• Course Objectives• Focused Curriculum - Language, Culture, Area Studies

– Currency– Job–Related Track– Methodology– Immersion

Program Management (cont’)

– Technology (to support program as required by curriculum)• Availability• Pedagogically Sound • Training of Faculty and Students

FACULTY

• Personnel: 143 Teachers– Hiring (FY08 to date: 33)– Qualifications – Effective Working Groups

• Professional Development– Provide Opportunities for

Academic & Leadership Training

– Promote Professional Presentations (Language Teaching & Research Forum)

Student Feedback/Evaluation• Feedback to the Students

– During the Course• Classroom Assessment• Tests• Diagnostic Assessment• Formal Counseling

– Post-Course:• Proficiency Evaluation Based on ILR Scale• DLPT 5

Student Feedback & Evaluation (cont’)

• Feedback From Students:– Questionnaires

During and After Course

– Sensing Sessions

Collaboration – Sharing of Ideas & Resources

• Among & Between Faculty• Cross Campus• Institutional Partnerships

Motivation

• Be Inclusive• Encourage Innovation• Coach/Mentor• Be Fair • Make Goals Achievable

Critical Elements of Success

Program Management

Student Input

Collaboration

Faculty

Motivation

Leadership Provides the Necessary Cohesion

Program Management

Student Input

Collaboration

Faculty

Motivation

Leadership

Academic Leadership “I never worry about action, but only about inaction.” Winston Churchill

Academic Leadership

• Essential Qualities of a Leader…• Ability to Create a Vision• Skill to Inspire Others• Willingness to Resolve Problems

Leadership Triad

Develop a Vision

• Seek to Understand Previous Vision

• Analyze what happened and how it could have been done differently

• Where is the divergence?

• How it can be resolved?

Inspiration

• Provide Guidance• Set Challenges• Develop Healthy Competition• Redirect if Needed• Recognize Progress• Reward Achievement

Resolving Problems• “WHAT If?” vice “If ONLY!” Approach• Appreciative Inquiry – Technique to Solve Problems and Create New Theories

Collect Opinions Through Dialogue

Define Problem in Practical Terms

Maintain Open Mind

Don’t Accept “un-executable”

Grant’s 11 Leadership Principles1. Build the “Right” Team

2. Keep Your People Informed

3. Develop Subordinates Through Delegation

4. Seek and Take Responsibility (accept “just” criticism)

5. Make Sound and Timely Decisions

6. Set Example Through Your Own Actions

Leadership Principles7. Communicate and Supervise (ensure understanding of tasks)

8. Seek and Encourage Self-Improvement

9. Be Technically Proficient

10. Know Your People

11. Care for Your Staff

Asian I Chinese Program Student Results

• FY 08 (DLPT IV & 5)• 66% achieved 2/2/1+• 26% achieved 2+/2+/2

• FY09 to date (DLPT5)• 72% achieved 2/2/1+• 32% achieved 2+/2+/2

Words of Wisdom

Chinese Proverb …

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

“植树的最佳时间是 20年前，现在还为时不晚 .”

 

 

For Additional Info• luba.grant@us.army.mil• richard.donovan@us.army.mil

DISCLAIMER• The views, opinions, and all findings contained in this presentation are those of the author(s) of this presentation and do not represent the views of the Department of Defense, of the Department of the Army, or of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

ASIAN I SCHOOL

Words of Wisdom

Chinese Proverb …

“植树的最佳时间是 20年前，现在还为时不晚 .”

 

 

• English: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

•  • In Chinese characters: 植树的最佳时间是

20年前，现在还为时不晚。•• In Pinyin: Zhíshù de zuìjiā shíjiān shì èrshí

nián qián, xiànzài hái wéishí bù wǎn.•