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Spotlight on E.E. Waddell
Language Academy
When E. E. Waddell Language Academy in Charlotte, NC, received the 2012 ACTFL
Melba D. Woodruff Award for Exemplary Elementary Foreign Language Education,
the awards committee quoted one nominator who said, “I cannot think of a better
way to prepare our students for the global experience which is more and more
recognized to be their future.”
Waddell is a public magnet school offering students the opportunity to
become proficient and literate in Chinese, German, French, or Japanese through its language immersion
program. The academy provides instruction to 1,300 students in grades K–8. In grades K–5, all content area
instruction is in the target language. At the middle school level, students can begin a third language with Spanish
added as an option. Students have the opportunity to continue their immersion experience at South Mecklenburg
High School. In 2008, Waddell collaborated with the University of North Carolina-Charlotte to develop a series of
advanced language options so students can have a true K–16 experience.
Students at Waddell have the opportunity to use their language skills in an authentic setting when taking part in
an international exchange. Waddell has developed a strong network of effective relationships with schools and universities
in Germany, France, and Japan with international organizations and businesses that support their programs.
Ynez Olshausen, Principal of E.E. Waddell Language Academy, accepted the award at the 2012 ACTFL Annual Convention
on behalf of the staff and students at the school, saying: “Every year our language immersion magnet school
grows, as more families become aware of the importance of world language proficiency in our global economy. In six
languages of instruction, we are ensuring that every one of our students is globally competitive and well-prepared for
college and career. We are confident that our students will be equipped for their global future with strong academic
skills, advanced proficiency in a second language, and the ability to thrive in a diverse and multicultural society.”
25%
tuition
reduction
for ACTFL
members
Photos: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
INTEGRATION FOR LANGUAGE EDUCATORS
“I’m so glad I heard about this program. I loved how the program was geared specifically to world
language teachers. Everything we discussed and shared was relevant and applicable to our own students.
As a result of this class, I started an e-pal collaboration with teachers from Southern France, and created
my own website to use with my students. No matter what personal level of technology you begin the class
with (novice, intermediate or advanced), the class will take you to the next level.” – Larissa Arist
With the success of the initial course offerings, all four courses are being offered in the
Spring Semester, which began on Feb. 4, 2013. Consider enrolling in one or more of these
courses this Fall!
• Foundations of Technology in Teaching and Learning
• Teaching Information and Media Literacies in the Digital World
• Web-Based Teaching and Learning: Design and Pedagogy
• Using Technology for Instructional Improvement:
Research, Data and Best Practices
“My praise of the program’s value is truly heartfelt. I appreciated how much these courses were targeted
specifically to world language teachers . . . I particularly liked how the program has brought me new
awareness about media and information literacies and broadened my perspectives in so many ways. The
courses helped me navigate the many wonderful resources out there that I can use to benefit my students,
and I am now better able to use them in the classroom.” – Stephanie Heid
For more information, visit www.umuc.edu/actfl or contact the UMUC Corporate Learning
Solutions office at 855-CLS-5300 or cls@umuc.edu.
The Language Educator n February 2013 17