Representatives from 10 local school districts turned out Jan. 13 to get a sneak peak at the newest developments to the language learning program, Rosetta Stone, as well as learning best practices and discovering ways to make the most of this innovative software program.
The event, sponsored by the LHRIC's Model Schools Program, was geared toward current customers and those districts interested in implementing the blended software program, which uses a combination of images, text, and sound that helps students learn intuitively instead of learning through drills or translation.
Eight districts currently belong to the LHRIC service that supports Rosetta Stone. They include Carmel, Clarkstown, Nanuet, Onteora, Port Chester, Ramapo, Tarrytown, and White Plains.
In his introductory talk to the group of teachers and administrators, company representative Chris Brotherson reiterated the need for more proficiency in language among Americans in general. According to recent statistics, only nine percent of Americans are bilingual compared to 65 percent of the remainder of the world's population.
As a result, added Mr. Brotherson, schools should be looking at getting children prepared in the early years. "How much of an advantage can these kids have if they speak another language?" asked Mr. Brotherson. Some of the advantages include a greater chance of being admitted to the armed forces and the opportunity to "move ahead of the line" in terms of college admissions.
Company representative Annemarie Brockwell walked participants through the tools that many teachers may not be familiar with, urging them to set up plans and proficiency goals and to build a blended learning environment where expectations are set, benchmarks are established and each student's progress is easy to track.
For teachers who use the software but may not be as familiar with its support tools, Ms. Brockwell showed them how to access the software tutorials. For those instructors anxious to build their own language curriculum using Rosetta Stone Classroom, the software, Ms. Brockwell explained, is an ideal option. That strategy works well in classrooms with a diverse group of students.
Rosetta Stone Classroom is a powerful learning tool that incorporates seamlessly into a teacher's overall language learning curriculum. Features such as speech analysis tools, grammar and spelling components, and predefined course templates complement classroom teaching expertise. It also provides the support teachers need with Rosetta Stone Manager, a built in management tool that delivers real-time reporting capabilities, details on student progress and user-friendly administrative functionalities.
Totale™ is the upcoming evolution of Rosetta Stone, scheduled for release in July 2012. Totale will allow students to converse live with other learners and a native conversation coach, and Rosetta World gives students the chance to play and practice with other learners in the Rosetta Stone online community.
Districts interested in signing up for Rosetta Stone can contact Leslie Accardo at laccardo@lhric.org.
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