Where do World Languages teachers find opportunities for interdisciplinary connections?
Everywhere! As one teacher said, “When we view language as a means to learn, we can use it any time, in any discipline, in any way!” Have you ever invited native speakers into your classroom for an art, theatre, music, or dance demonstration? Or played games from another culture during elementary school recess, using authentic words and phrases? Or invited students to sing for elders at a community center in a language other than English? Or provided European periodical articles about the effects of acid rain on Europe’s forests? Standard A, Key Element 4 is about looking outside the world languages classroom and using the target language to connect with other disciplines. This key element asks teachers to look for opportunities to base some of their instructional program on what goes on in the other rooms of their schools. A useful starting point for world language teachers to make interdisciplinary connections is to look at what kind of language functions are required to learn and te
