CALPER Professional Development Webinars Series:

Dual-language immersion and content-based language courses development

Brody Bluemel, Delaware State University

The development of content-based foreign language curricula is often targeted at courses intended for intermediate to advanced level learners. This approach can present a barrier to accessible and large-scale language study for professional purposes.  Creating beginning-level content-based courses engages students in applied learning as they recognize the immediate function of language skills in their careers and professional pathways. This webinar presents a series of examples of entry-level content-based courses and programs developed both for undergraduate and graduate learners.  Examples include: Medical Spanish, Spanish for Law Enforcement, World Literature (available Chinese and Spanish), Spanish for Social graduate certificate program, as well as additional offerings being developed in other languages. The presentation will conclude with an overview of recommended approaches and best practices in developing content-based courses and learning activities.