Possible+essential+questions

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Possible essential questions for outcomes-Aug. 22, 2009
Essential Questions: World Languages Essential Questions-possibilities/starters for committees
 * Communication:**
 * Interpersonal**

1. To what degree is the speaker understood? 2. How do you know someone understands you? 3. What are signals that you understand the other speaker? 4. How is a conversation started, maintained and ended more effectively? 5. What communication strategies help sustain communication? 6. How does repetition, paraphrasing, and circumlocution help avoid misunderstandings? 7. How does cultural knowledge help solve authentic real-world problems? 8. What culturally appropriate vocabulary and idiomatic expressions help one to sound more authentic?8 9. How do exchanges with a native speaker become richer when a one stretches the use of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions? 10.When does accuracy matter?

**Interpretive** 1. What are signals that you understand the meaning? 2. What are the best strategies for making meaning as a progressive language learner? 3. How do you know when you are confused about meaning? 4. When does accuracy matter?

1. How do you know your audience understands you? 2. What are common mistakes made in presenting as a progressive language learner? 3. How is a message stronger when you pay attention to the culture? 4. How does the language learner maintain communication throughout a presentation? 5. When does accuracy matter?
 * Presentation**

**Cultures:** 1. How does a student use a wide range of cultural knowledge to solve authentic real-world problems in the language? 2. How does cultural understanding improve by engaging with learners of other cultures? 3. How is language a product of culture? 4. How are cultural perspectives (attitudes, values and beliefs) reflected in a culture’s social practices? 5. How does the study of culture help one understand and appreciate other cultures’ worldviews and unique ways of living and behavior patterns.
 * Practices**

1. How does a student develop cultural understanding by examining the products of another culture? 2. What insights can be make about a culture by looking at its products? 3. How does advertising suggest the personality of a culture? 4. How does examining the media of a culture tell us more about the culture? 5. What does the humor of a culture suggest about its personality? 6. How are arts and literature helpful in gaining understanding of the target culture?
 * Products**

1. What is the connection between the study of a world language and other content areas? 2. How does one relate world language knowledge to another discipline? 3. How does the knowledge of cognates help in making inferences in other content areas?
 * Connections:**
 * Reinforce**


 * Acquire Knowledge**

1. How does the knowledge of one's own culture help to understand the target culture(s)? 2. How can a student rely on previous understandings and experiences to evaluate and interpret new information in the target language?

1. How does a student improve language accuracy by analyzing grammatical accuracy? 2. In what way does the study of another language and culture develop an individual’s critical thinking skills? 3. How does studying another language increase a student's understanding and appreciation of her/his own language?
 * Comparisons:**
 * Language**

1. How does studying another language increase a student's understanding and appreciation of her/his own culture? 2. In what way does the study of another language and culture develop an individual’s critical thinking skills? 3. How can the knowledge of diverse cultures cultivate an understanding and appreciation of the world community?
 * Culture**

1. How does language study help the student respond to important questions that extend learning beyond the classroom? 2. How does a student develop and model cultural understanding by engaging with people of other cultures? 4. How does language study help one develop self-identity and a comprehensive world view?
 * Communities:**
 * Beyond School**

1. How does one become a global citizen? 2. How does language study enhance career opportunities? 3. How can the knowledge of diverse cultures cultivate an understanding and appreciation of the world community? 4. How does one develop and model cultural understanding by engaging with people of other cultures? 5. How does language study help one respond to important questions that extend learning beyond the classroom?
 * Lifelong learner**
 * 7.** How does language study prepare students to pursue language learning on their own for both personal enjoyment and enrichment as well as to advance career opportunities?