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 different needs and interests. If you would like any more suggestions or details, PLEASE feel free to contact Prof. Kit Belgum by phone or e-mail: (512) 471-4123; belgum@mail.utexas.edu.
- 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
- ·Acquire materials
- ·Develop curriculum and assemble materials
- PHASE 7: RECRUIT AND TRAIN
- ·Recruit instructors (volunteers or students in courses)
- ·Provide adequate orientation and training with materials
- ·Schedule instructor and classes - plan backup
- PHASE 8: DISTRIBUTE MATERIALS
- ·Give schools curriculum, 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 volunteers 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 program
