Page 31 - Native Languages 9-10 (1999)

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Some Considerations for Program Planning in Native Languages
Teachers who are planning a program in Native languages must take into account considera- tions in a number of important areas. Essential information that pertains to all disciplines is provided in the companion piece to this document, The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: Program Planning and Assessment, 1999. The areas of concern to all teachers that are outlined there include the following:
• types of secondary school courses
• education for exceptional students
• the role of technology in the curriculum
• English as a second language (ESL) and English literacy development (ELD) • career education
• cooperative education and other workplace experiences
• health and safety
Considerations relating to some of the areas listed above that have particular relevance for planning programs in Native languages are noted here. In addition, special consideration needs to be given to the importance of the involvement of the Native community in the development and implementation of Native languages programs.
Education for Exceptional Students. Because language instruction is a complex process, teachers of Native languages must adapt their teaching approaches and strategies to the needs of their students, as set out in their Individual Education Plan. Modifications might include the following: adapting the course content (e.g., placing an emphasis on oral work); changing teaching strategies (e.g., modifying the pace at which new material is introduced as well as the methods and resources used to present it); and modifying assessment techniques (e.g., placing emphasis on oral work, extending time for tests). Some students may require specialized services or equipment (e.g., modified computers, advanced computer software). Because the study of a language promotes creative thinking and problem solving, as well as the development of essential communication skills, these courses have particular benefits for exceptional students and increase their chances of success in other areas of the curriculum.
The Role of Technology in the Curriculum. Information technology provides a variety of resources that can enrich Native language learning in unique and important ways. These resources include programs that enable Native language teachers to design individualized courses for students who are not as fluent in the language as the majority of students in the class. Technology also offers students a rich variety of linguistic and cultural learning experi- ences that they might not otherwise have access to; for example, the Internet allows students to visit museums and cultural sites and to find reading material. In addition, students can use technology to communicate with students learning the same Native language elsewhere in the province or in other places around the world.