Spring 2025 Webinar Series Recordings: Current Directions in Postsecondary Language Program Administration

Current Directions in Postsecondary Language Program Administration

 

This series was planned to coincide with the publication of a new book forthcoming in 2025, The Routledge Handbook of Language Program Development and Administration, the editors of which (one of whom is CERCLL Director Beatrice Dupuy) will present the first, introductory webinar. The series will delve into some of the 52 chapters in this volume, to focus on practical issues in language program development and administration.

These webinars also tie into the Language Program Direction self-study modules on which CERCLL collaborated with the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA).

Click on the titles below to access the recordings, slides and resources for the webinars in this series.

You can also view all the recordings in our YouTube webinar playlist!

Alan V. Brown (University of Kentucky), Cori Crane (University of Alabama), Beatrice Dupuy (University of Arizona), and Estela Ene (Indiana University Indianapolis)

Alan V. Brown (University of Kentucky), Cori Crane (University of Alabama), Beatrice Dupuy (University of Arizona), and Estela Ene (Indiana University Indianapolis)

Current Directions in Postsecondary Language Administration: Fundamental Considerations, Implications, and Applications

In this webinar, presenters:

  • explore the research-practice connections in the work of LPAs
  • address these two questions:
    • What kind of research is needed to help program administrators develop language programs and manage people?
    • How, in turn, can LPDs, as practitioners working within the context of articulated language programs, help to advance theory and scholarship in applied linguistics and teacher education?

Some of what attendees told us they found most beneficial about this webinar:

I can apply what I learned from the “Overcoming Challenges and Barriers in Virtual Exchange” webinar by enhancing student engagement in virtual settings, creating a more inclusive and multicultural environment, addressing technical challenges with new solutions, and adopting flexible teaching methods to better meet the diverse needs of students in online learning. This will help improve the overall online teaching experience and foster a more positive learning atmosphere

I will be informing my Ph.D students of the virtual exchange projects and research in the upcoming weeks. I will be incorporating some materials that were shared in the session and will create a discussion atmosphere where they will discuss various challenges in virtual exchange that were illustrated in this webinar and how to overcome the barriers in this regard.

I found the lecture very interesting and informative. Dr. O’Dowd made the lecture interesting explaining different case studies that I have found important for my VE project. On the other hand, I found especially useful Dr. O’Dowd’s explanation about my particular problem. He gave a clear explanation and I was very satisfied with the outcome.

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Meg Montee

Meg Montee

(Georgetown University)

 

 

Planning for and Implementing Effective World Language Program Evaluation

 

This session gives an overview of principles of language program evaluation, including steps for planning, implementation, and reporting results. We focus on including key stakeholders throughout the evaluation to ensure their perspectives are addressed. Through program evaluation scenarios and practical examples, including from the US K-12 context, we will discuss how programs can maximize the credibility and usefulness of evaluation results. Finally, we will discuss methods for qualitative and quantitative data collection, including focus groups, surveys, and interviews, and share free resources for additional learning. The session will support world language educators in conducting program evaluation as part of a cycle of evidence-based decision-making and program improvement.

Francesca Di Silvio

Francesca Di Silvio

(Independent Contractor)

 

 

Some of what attendees told us they found most beneficial about this webinar:

The webinar provided some inspiration for the virtual exchange project I am currently designing. It gave me new ideas on how to structure activities to foster intercultural communication and enhance language learning outcomes. For example, I plan to incorporate more collaborative tasks and reflective exercises to help students actively engage with their international peers while improving their language proficiency.

Even without connecting to foreign students, there are principles in this webinar that can apply to all language courses!

First and foremost it was excellent to identify the resources for getting started with VE, like Partnering Fairs and other tools available. I will also ensure VE takes place in the Fall and not the Spring. On a completely different note, polls on Zoom are extremely engaging and I will use them too in the future!

Ana Bocanegra Valle

Ana Bocanegra Valle

(University of Cádiz, Spain)

 

 

 

Needs Analysis and Language Learning: Unlocking Opportunities for Successful Language Programs

This webinar aims to familiarize newcomers with the concept of needs analysis while offering valuable insights to experienced teachers. It will begin by defining the key constructs of “needs” and “needs analysis”. It will then provide a concise overview of the historical evolution of needs analysis and its pivotal role in shaping language programs across diverse learning contexts. After that, the focus will be placed on the practicalities of conducting an effective needs analysis, exploring the key steps in the process, identifying the participants, and examining the methods and instruments that have proved to be useful for collecting and analyzing needs data. Examples of needs analysis studies from current literature will be put forward to delve into the principles of needs analysis in real-world contexts, and also to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of the process. To enrich the discussion, webinar participants will be invited to share their views and contribute their own experiences in the field.

Some of what attendees told us they found most beneficial about this webinar:

Learning about the webinar emphasized the importance of employing controlled, authentic dialogues to improve students’ language proficiency while cultivating their self-assurance and fluency.

For me [the] entire session was quite amazing. I would love to attend more sessions like this.

The discussion about the programs and experience using them. Mentimeter was insightful and helpful in the conversation here.