Languages Other Than English Center for Educator Development
1998–2003
The LOTE CED was operated by operated by Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) from February 1998 to June 2003 with funding from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Working in collaboration with the Region II Education Service Center (ESC II), the Center's mission was to provide a statewide coordinated system of ongoing professional development for foreign language educators focusing on the implementation of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English (TEKS for LOTE).
During its years of operation, the LOTE CED supported foreign language educators and their students through the development of the following resources:
- seven training modules on standards-based instruction
- thirty-seven exemplary learning scenarios for seven languages
- a guide for teachers of Spanish for Spanish Speakers
- a 5-part video series and video guide/training manual
- a series of interactive online professional development courses
- a newsletter
- a series of issue briefs
- a monthly e-mail update
The LOTE CED also hosted numerous training sessions and projects, including:
- TEKS for LOTE Training-of-Trainers
- Learning Scenarios Development Workshops
- Action Research Initiative
- Peer Coaching and Mentoring Training
- Standards-Familiarization Workshop for Institutions of Higher Education
- Numerous off-site workshops and presentations
Products
Learning Languages Other Than English: A Texas Adventure (5-part Video Series) This five-part video series, centered around scenes from LOTE classrooms across Texas, provides an overview of the state standards and the guiding principles they reflect as it explores the interrelationship of the five Program Goals. The companion guide discusses how to use the videos in a variety of professional development contexts. See this product's full description page to watch the videos online or access the companion study guides.
Great TEKSpectations: Innovative Learning Scenarios for the LOTE Classroom Developed by Texas teachers of LOTE, these scenarios begin with high interest topics that stimulate creativity and encourage divergent thinking through the use of standards-based, thematic, integrative units of study. They consist of student-centered activities designed to support language development as students explore culturally relevant themes. This product is available online.
Español para el hispanohablante This publication provides Texas teachers and administrators with guidelines, goals, instructional strategies, and activities for teaching Spanish to heritage language learners at the secondary level. It is based on the principle that the linguistic and cultural background of the heritage learner is a resource that should be recognized and developed to its full potential. See this product's full description page for a free PDF download and print copy ordering information.
A Texas Framework for Languages Other Than English This publication is serves as an intermediate step between the standards and local curriculum development efforts. Based on a set of eight guiding principals about language learning and teaching, the framework is designed to facilitate the development of standards-based materials that match the characteristics of local districts and campuses. See this product's full description page for a free download or ordering information.
Leadership Documents
These documents were developed as steps in the ongoing systemic reform process to address issues related to teacher training and in-service professional development as they relate to implementation of the TEKS for LOTE.
- Preparing
Language Teachers to Implement the TEKS for LOTE
Recommends pre-service teacher standards and provides guidelines for teacher training institutions. (PDF 320K) - Professional
Development for Language Teachers: Implementing the TEKS for
LOTE
Identifies in-service teacher competencies and describes three models of professional development. (PDF 278K) - Photocopies of these two documents, plus
A Texas Framework for Languages Other Than English
are available by mail from the Texas Foreign Language Association
(TFLA). Send check or money order made out to TFLA to Phyllis
Thompson, Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren, Houston,
TX 77074.
- TFLA members: $3.00/each or $7.50 for all three
- Non-members: $3.50/each or $10.00 for all three
LOTE CED Staff
- Elaine Phillips, Director (2001-2003), Field Specialist (1998-2001)
- Chuck Reese, Information Assistant (2001-2003)
- Lillian King Meidlinger, Director (1998-2001)
- Sylvia Juarez-Harms, Texas-Spain Initiative (1998-1999)
- Kathleen Trail, Information Assistant (1999-2000)
- Vanessa Flores, Admin. Secretary (1998-1999)