How to Start an Outreach Program
Here are some suggestions for starting an outreach program at your institution. The phases outlined below are based on our experience here at the University of Texas at Austin of what works well. Other institutions may have very differnet needs and interests. If you would like any more suggestions or details, PLEASE feel free to contact Prof. Kit Belgum by phone or email: (512) 471-4123; .
PHASE 1: MAKE CONNECTIONS
- Establish connections with German teachers and FL coordinator in school district
- Inform relevant organizations (school district, state education agency, college/university administration)
PHASE 2: ORIENT AND INITIATE PLANNING
- Learn about school system - find an informant
- Identify logical point of intervention
- "Language discovery" elective (6th-grade); elementary schools
- Tracking pattern from elementary to middle and high schools (to focus impact and support existing German programs)
- Location - logistics - accessibility
PHASE 3: ASSESS POTENTIAL
- Calculate instructional potential (how many instructors, hours can you support; are you dependent on volunteer instructors, can you offer instructors course credit)
- Conservatively estimate what commitments you can make
PHASE 4: CREATE PROPOSAL
- Develop a clear proposal of what you expect to offer
PHASE 5: CONTACT SCHOOLS
- Call principals and meet with teachers at targeted schools
- Sell the program, adapt to school (curricular) needs
- Plan dates for German unit (coordinate school and college schedules)
PHASE 6: DEVELOP MATERIALS
PHASE 7: RECRUIT AND TRAIN
- Recruit instructors (volunteers or students in course)
- Provide adequate orientation and training with materials
- Schedule instructor and classes - plan backup
PHASE 8: DISTRIBUTE MATERIAL
- Give schools curriuculum, lesson plans, materials (for duplication) in advance
- Distribute materials to instructors (hard copies, Internet backups)
PHASE 9: MAINTAIN CONTACT
- Keep in touch with teachers and instructors to solve problems as they arise
- Encourage communication and sharing among instructors
PHASE 10: EVALUATE AND REPORT
- Communicate with parents via a letter and survey; allow instructors to evaluate the program; solicit school teacher/administrator feedback
- Keep records of investment; number of classes and children served; number of instructors and hours devoted to the program