Category Archives: Teaching Methodology and Research

Have you ever found yourself wondering how to ensure your language students have a solid foundation and continue to thrive as they progress through grade levels?  Language educators often grapple with this question as they strive to provide the best possible language learning experience for their students. We’re going to explore an effective solution – Vertical Curriculum.

What Exactly is Vertical Curriculum Alignment?

Vertical Curriculum is like building a strong foundation for a language house. Each level adds a layer of skills and knowledge that supports the next. Imagine trying to put on the roof before laying the walls – it just wouldn’t work! This alignment is essential because it ensures students are building on what they’ve learned, continuously building on their skills.

In a well-aligned curriculum, students in lower grades may start with basic vocabulary and sentence structure. As they progress to higher grade levels, they can confidently take on more complex structures and vocabulary, such as discussing literature, culture, and global issues.

Benefits for Students and Teachers

When a curriculum is aligned vertically students benefit from a seamless transition between grade levels, preventing gaps in their language learning. A student who grasps basic conversational skills in middle school can confidently approach more advanced topics, such as discussing literary works when they reach high school.

Teachers also benefit from a well-aligned curriculum. Collaboration across grade levels becomes more accessible as educators share common language around student progress and instructional strategies.

What Is Involved in Vertical Curriculum?

Scope and Sequence

• A well-structured scope and sequence act as a roadmap for language learning and acquisition. It defines not only what topics are taught, but also when they are introduced.
• At the novice-low level, students may explore basic vocabulary related to greetings and introductions, while at the intermediate-high level, they get into complex topics such as literature analysis.

Language Skills Progression

• Language skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing, are interdependent and build upon one another.
• Novice-level students may begin with simple listening and speaking activities  and  gradually progress to reading short texts and writing basic sentences as they advance to the intermediate level.

Vocabulary and Grammar Development

• Vocabulary serves as the building blocks of language, while grammar provides the structural framework. Effective vertical curriculum alignment ensures that students learn vocabulary and grammar progressively.
• The teaching of common French verbs like “to be” and “to have” at the novice level paves the way for more complex verb conjugations at higher proficiency levels.

How Do We Create a Vertical Curriculum?

Collaboration among Teachers

• Collaboration among teachers from various grade levels is a cornerstone of vertical curriculum alignment. Imagine a group of teachers, from elementary to high school, coming together to discuss their teaching strategies. They can identify common challenges, share successful activities, and collectively enhance their curriculum alignment.

Vertical Team Meetings

• Vertical team meetings are like a roundtable discussion where educators from different grade levels gather to exchange ideas and experiences. These meetings can be instrumental in streamlining curriculum alignment efforts.

Assessment Consistency

• Consistency in assessment methods and criteria is paramount in vertical curriculum alignment. A shared understanding of assessment practices ensures that students are evaluated fairly and accurately across grade levels.
• Teachers collaboratively develop rubrics for assessment that outline specific criteria for language elements such as proficiency level text type and vocabulary usage.
• With consistent assessment criteria in place, students can track their progress from one year to the next, providing them with a clear sense of their language development.

How Can We Address Some Challenges?

Time and Resources

• Aligning curriculum across grade levels can be time-consuming, but there are strategies to streamline the process. For instance, utilizing digital platforms for collaborative lesson planning can save educators significant time. Teachers can collectively design lessons, share resources, and ensure alignment without the need for lengthy meetings and emails.

Resistance to Change

• Change can be challenging, but it can also lead to exciting advancements in language education. One way to address resistance to change is to gradually introduce new teaching strategies or technologies.

Action Steps for Language Teachers

Self-Assessment

• To begin the journey of vertical curriculum alignment, language teachers can conduct a self-assessment of their existing curriculum. This involves reviewing the curriculum, identifying gaps or misalignments, and highlighting areas that require adjustment or enhancement.

Small-Scale Alignment

• Language teachers can start small by selecting a single unit or theme and ensuring it aligns seamlessly across grade levels.
• For example, if 7th-grade students study family members, teachers can ensure that 8th-grade students can build on that foundation by discussing family relationships more extensively in the following year.
• This approach allows educators to focus on refining specific aspects of the curriculum without feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of a complete overhaul.

Conclusion…and Then It’s Your Turn

Vertical curriculum alignment in world language classes is an effective to support students’ language proficiency. It creates a structured and cohesive progression of skills and knowledge, benefiting both students and teachers. By embracing collaboration, consistent assessment practices, and a growth mindset, language teachers can create a strong foundation for their students’ language learning journey.