The Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) is an instructional model that was developed to meet the academic needs of students learning English as a second language
in American schools (p.3).
The goals of this book are to provide a foundation for using the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA), a list of practical guidelines for designing a CALLA program, and suggestions for implementing CALLA in major subject areas of the curriculum. Four conditions for improving the education of language minority students are identified:
- an institutional environment with high expectations for language minority students;
- an instructional approach that integrates academic language development with content area instruction and learning strategies;
- continuing staff development that provides teachers with the expertise and support needed to advance the academic development and success of language minority students; and
- an assessment approach that enables teachers to plan instruction effectively.
Evaluation of the CALLA program over a 3-year period demonstrates that this approach represents one of several possible powerful techniques for increasing the achievement of limited English proficient students. Part 1 of this handbook introduces CALLA, part 2 discusses the establishment of such a program, and Part 3 covers implementation of the program in the classroom. (CK)
INTEGRATING LEARNING STRATEGIES INTO A LESSON Developed by Anna Uhl Chamot & J. Michael O'Malley
PREPARE ACTIVATE STUDENTS' BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE OF STRATEGIES Review what students already know about learning strategies.
Review how students normally approach the given task
PRESENT CHOOSE STRATEGIES APPROPRIATE FOR THE TASK Present the language task.
Discuss which strategies will be most appropriate for the task during each of the metacognitive processes
Mention strategies by name.
MODEL STRATEGIES Model how to use strategies by thinking aloud during authentic, meaningful tasks.
Discuss the value of the strategies used in the think-aloud.
PRACTICE EMPHASIZE STUDENT THOUGHT PROCESSES WHILE THEY USE STRATEGIES - Provide students opportunities to practice strategies on tasks similar to the one you used for modeling.
- Ask students to think-aloud in pairs, small groups, or individually.
- Discuss the value of the strategies while students are working on the task.
- Coach students as they practice by using prompts to focus on students' thought processes.
EVALUATE DISCUSS WHY STRATEGIES WERE EFFECTIVE OR NOT Evaluate how well the strategies worked and if they were helpful for doing the task.
Emphasize that some strategies work better in certain contexts that in others.
Discuss which strategies students find effective with the language skill(s) practiced.
EXPAND PROVIDE PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES IN A WIDE VARIETY OF TASKS. Because transfer of learning is so difficult, one of the best ways to insure it is to remind students, in a wide variety of situations, to use the strategies.
Encourage students to use strategies consciously with non-language tasks as well as language tasks
References:
Chamot, A. U., & J.M. O’Malley. 1994. The CALLA Handbook. White Plains, NY: Longman.
Chamot, A.U., S. Barnhardt, P.B. ElDinary, J. Robbins. 1999. The Learning Strategies Handbook. White Plains, NY: Longman
The Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) is an instructional model for second and foreign language learners based on cognitive theory and research. CALLA integrates instruction in priority topics from the content curriculum, development of the language skills needed for learning in school, and explicit instruction in using learning strategies for academic tasks.
The goals of CALLA are for students to learn essential academic content and language and to become independent and self-regulated learners through their increasing command over a variety of strategies for learning in school.
This website is a resource for teachers who want to use the CALLA approach, or do research on CALLA. The site is maintained by Jill Robbins, who works with Anna Uhl Chamot on developing CALLA materials and workshops. We hope you find what you are looking for and that it helps you and your students to achieve your goals.
CALLA was developed by Anna Uhl Chamot and J. Michael O'Malley, and is being implemented in approximately 30 school districts in the United States as well as in several other countries.
CoBaLTT - Content-Based Second Language Instruction: What is it?
THE BILINGUAL RESEARCH JOURNAL
Summer/Fall 1995, Vol. 19, Nos. 3 & 4, pp. 379-394
Comment
0