Find information on real-life curricula, a selection of the best teacher-created materials for early foreign language learning, as well as other online resources.
Also, make sure to search the Ñandu archives and the collection of postings on the FLTeach Forum for practical advice from experienced teachers. To find out what an electronic discussion list is and how it can help you, click here.
Many language-related organizations provide general and language-specific materials and resources.
Curricula
Foreign Language Curricula for Elementary Schools: An Annotated (and Updated) Collection
This is an update of a CAL Resource Guide by Lori Langer de Ramirez.
Elementary Spanish Curriculum Project
This project, under the direction of Eileen Zeitz, Professor of Spanish at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, is designed for K-4 Spanish instruction of approximately 40 minutes/week.
Teaching Foreign Languages to Children Through Video
This CAL Digest is based on a comprehensive study of the use of video-based foreign curricula as an alternative to traditional classroom instruction.
Teacher-Created Web Sites
Mis Cositas
This Web site by Lori Langer de Ramírez includes more than 40 virtual picture books, games, and suggestions on how to use them for teaching English multicultural education, Spanish, and French to young children.
Ana Lomba Early Languages
A site created by Ana Lomba focuses on preK language learning through storytelling and offers many useful resources.
Foreign Language Lesson Plans and Resources
While not focusing on early language learning, this site, created by Marty Levine, has a useful annotated list of French, Spanish, and German online resources.
Internet Activities for Foreign Language Classes
The site provides practical advice on how to use the Internet in the classroom, as well as links to online activities for Spanish, French, German, and other languages.
A List of Spanish Songs
This list was compiled by Ñandu members. It includes song topics and themes and information on where the songs can be found.
Other Online Resources
Support for Elementary Educators through Distance Education in Spanish (SEEDS)
SEEDS is a federally funded project located at the University of South Florida. It offers FLES teachers and elementary teachers wishing to integrate Spanish into their classrooms over 300 activities, Webquests, links to useful sites, readings, and blackline masters with audio and video samples. SEEDS is divided into three modules: Spanish Enhancement, Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, and Internationalising the Curriculum.
The National K-12 Foreign Language Resource Center (NFLRC) and the National Capital Language Resource Center (NCLRC)
Both centers have online resources, including a monthly online newsletter, that provide up-to-date lesson plans and activities. While the K-12 NFLRC Center was discontinued in 2010, archived material is still accessible.
National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL)
NNELL
has both print and online resources for early language educators and parents.
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
CAL has several online resource guides, including one on Resources for Elementary School Foreign Language Programs.
Educator's Reference Desk
The Educator's Reference Desk links to lesson plans and several databases..
Gateway to 21st Century Skills
The site links to thousands of educational resources found on various federal, state, university,
non-profit, and commercial Internet sites.
Updated
August 15, 2011
