Skills: Communicate in multiple languages

Globally competent teachers have the ability to effectively work with students whose families come from all over the world. This includes being able to communicate in multiple languages, especially with students and families who speak a different language at home. To find resources that will help you move along the continuum for this element, click on the description for the level that is the next one higher than how you rated yourself.

Teacher Skills
ELEMENT Nascent Beginning Progressing Proficient Advanced
7. Communicate in multiple languages I speak one language and have not yet pursued another. I am pursuing or have pursued a language other than my own. I can have basic conversation in two languages (including my own). I am proficient in at least two languages (including my own). I can effectively communicate with students and families in at least two languages. I am fluent in at least two languages and seek opportunities to use them in schools and communities.

Source: The Globally Competent Teaching Continuum was originally developed in 2014 by J. M. Cain, J. Glazier, H. Parkhouse, and A. Tichnor-Wagner at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

All levels

ASCD Readings

Professional development

LingQ
Suggested grade level: All
Subject: All
Cost: Varies
Description: Learn English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Swedish, Korean and Dutch online. Members are provided with language learning content and an online community and native speaker tutors. Members use the company’s tools and resources not to classrooms, textbooks and grammar rules. Based on TheLinguist method.

Duolingo
Suggested grade level: All
Subject: All
Cost: Free
Description: Online courses in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and German. Participants work on translating documents.

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Beginning

Classroom Demo Videos

8th Grade Band

Lesson Plan

Latin American Folk Music (PDF)
Suggested grade level: 7
Subject: Band
Description: Students compare and contrast folk songs from different cultures.

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Progressing

Classroom Demo Video

1st Grade Social Studies/English Language Arts: Culture

Lesson Plan

Spanish-speaking Countries (PDF)
Suggested grade level: 10–12
Subject: Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Description: Students compare and contrast a variety of Spanish-speaking countries.

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Proficient

Classroom Demo Video

High School Spanish for Heritage Speakers

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Advanced

Classroom Demo Videos

High School Spanish for Heritage Speakers

Lesson plans

Spanish-speaking Countries (PDF)
Suggested grade level: 10–12
Subject: Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Description: Students compare and contrast a variety of Spanish-speaking countries.

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