Japan Festival 2008
Oak Park and River Forest High School
South Cafeteria
Saturday, February 2008
11am to 2pm
Free Admission
Chicago Tribune
The two classrooms participate in an innovative dual-language program at Channing Elementary School in Elgin-based Unit District 46. More than 200 of Channing's 580 pupils are enrolled in the program, which has proven popular with them and their parents. Read More . . .
Below are websites that are associated with national governments, or non-governmental organizations. The World Language Advisory Committee does not endorse all the content contained within these sites. If you have suggestions as to additional websites, please contact wlacop@gmail.com.
Arabic
Legacy International
Legacy International is dedicated to strengthening civil society – linking cultures and providing tools for individuals and organizations to build a better tomorrow today.
Arab Culture and Civilization
Developed to help better understanding of the Arab world in ways consistent with the values and methods of liberal education. This site is provided as an educational public service open to all visitors.
Chinese
Confucius Institute
The Confucius Institute in Chicago (CIC) is a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools Office of Language and Cultural Education and the National Office of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (Han Ban). CIC is also partnered with East China Normal University in Shanghai, China.
Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute
The mission of the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute is to conduct training programs and events to promote Chinese language and culture; introduce the best of Chinese culture to America and vice versa; educate people of the two cultures on how to communicate more efficiently; assist main-stream corporations reaching out to the Asian American communities; facilitate American corporations to do business in China by supplying outsourcing consulting and translation; organize city tours for Chinese visitors and Chinatown tours for general public; Import and export cultural products.
French
Alliance Francaise Chicago
Alliance Francaise USA
Alliance Francaise France
A network of associations set up throughout the world have been benefiting from the Alliance’s mark of quality so as to disseminate the French language abroad. The remarkable longevity and vitality of our institution is due in part to the strong bonds we have built with the citizens, the sponsors of our host country and with the French State.
German
Goethe Institute US
Goethe Institute Germany
The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institution operational worldwide.
We promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. We also foster knowledge about Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics.
Italian
Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago
The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, directed by Tina Cervone, is the cultural office of the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago. Founded in 1985, the Institute is one of five cultural agencies of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United States. It is located in the heart of Chicago along the Magnificent Mile. The Institute serves as a convenient source for information about Italian life and culture that showcases Italy’s classic and contemporary heritage with particular reference to art, music, cinema, design, architecture, science, and technology. The Institute is also home to a school of Italian language and culture, as well as a venue for art exhibitions and film screenings. The Institute works alongside the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago to forge relationships with local universities and research institutions. We promote English translations of Italian authors with local publishers and publicize information about Italian prizes in art and literature. We also work with ENIT (The Italian State Tourist Board) to promote tourism and travel to Italy.
Japanese
KCC Japan Education Exchange
Our mission is to facilitate better learning and understanding between the American and Japanese cultures. Our exchange programs and fellowships allow teenagers and adults to experience the uniqueness of living and understanding another culture.
Spanish
Instituto Cervantes Spain
Instituto Cervantes Chicago
The Instituto Cervantes is a public not-for-profit institution founded by the Government of Spain in 1991 to promote Spanish language teaching and knowledge of the cultures of Spanish speaking countries throughout the world. It is now the largest international Spanish teaching organization, and has more than 60 centers in 5 continents. The central headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes are in Madrid and in Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. The Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, Inc. was established in 1996. It is located in the John Hancock Center.
The software program, Skype, has become one of the most popular "voice over Internet" programs. For some users, though, it's more than just a way to make a free phone call. They're using Skype to teach...and learn...foreign languages. Correspondent Cyrus Farivar has the story.
Fluency Fast uses a technique called TPRS, Teaching Proficiency Through Reading and Storytelling. The method involves telling stories using fundamental vocabulary. Both the vocabulary and grammatical structures are retained because the techniques are based on brain research designed to lodge language in the long term memory. Simply put, TPRS takes advantage of how we really learn - re-creating the miracle of how babies are able to understand thousands of words before reaching the age of two!
For lesson information, please call 866-999-3583