These guidelines are designed to help language educators who are interested in receiving college credit for knowledge and skills gained through participation in the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo. These guidelines for receiving college credit provide a framework for educators to describe, in an organized manner, the wide range of knowledge and competencies that are acquired through professional development offerings available at the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo. Although the content and subject matter of all proposals will be different, the structure will be the same. Please keep in mind that this is only a suggested framework, which may be subject to revisions by individual institutions.

The guidelines provide important information, including:

Reasons to take part in an independent study course
Steps to submit a proposal for an independent study course
Framework for a proposal
Examples of independent study courses

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"It is the hope of ACTFL’s Convention Committee that these guidelines will provide you with a useful framework for developing an independent study course for college credit centered on the ACTFL Convention, including justification for such an experience as well as sample outcomes and activities."
- Kathy Shelton, Convention Committee Chair and Education Specialist for World Languages and Cultures at the Ohio Department of Education and L.J. Randolph, ACTFL President-elect and Assistant Professor of World Language Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Reasons to take part in an independent study course:

Attending a national convention such as the ACTFL Annual Convention is an important professional development activity. Receiving independent study credit validates the importance of the experience. The opportunity to formalize new knowledge through written reports and apply newly acquired skills and competencies in the participant’s work role increases the value of the learning experience for both the individual and the employer.
Participating in a series of planned educational experiences will help develop future professional leaders by using the ACTFL Annual Convention as part of the higher education process.
Planning an independent study in advance will give the attendees the opportunity to know the requirements to receive credit for participation before the convention.
Selecting a higher education institution in which attendees are already enrolled or that is in their area or state will eliminate problems such as transferring courses and out-of-state tuition charges.

Steps to submit a proposal for an independent study course:

Check with your faculty advisor or department chair to verify that an independent study course is acceptable as part of your program.
Review the current list of courses offered by your college or university to see if there is a course number that fits this purpose.
Develop a proposal. Follow the framework structure outlined below.
Submit the proposal to your advisor for discussion and approval. The proposal should include all components of the independent course (e.g., learning objectives, activities, evaluation, how the independent study will supplement other coursework, etc.)

Framework for proposal:

Identify a clear title of the learning area or course for your independent study.
Indicate how much credit you want to receive and how many hours you will invest (Guidelines in Higher Ed are usually 1 credit hour for each 15 instructional hours).
Develop objectives for your study that relate to what you want to learn and are realistic for the number of hours in which you are enrolling.
Describe readings, activities, and assignments that will meet your objectives.
Propose how your course will be evaluated. If applicable, specify how grades will be determined. For courses offered on a pass/fail basis, outline what the criteria will be for receiving a passing grade.

Examples of independent study courses:

The following are examples of independent study courses that could be designed in conjunction with the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo offerings. These examples may be helpful in providing a starting point. Individuals and their professors should work together to agree on activities, expectations, evaluation, and other components of the independent study course.

Example #1

Independent Study Title: Current Trends and Practices in Language Education Hours of Credit: One

This independent study will allow me to gain knowledge of the latest trends and classroom practices in foreign language education. By attending the ACTFL Annual Convention, November 18-20, I will learn broad themes from general session speakers, receive detailed information on innovative practices and ideas, as well as current research findings, through numerous educational sessions, see the latest resources and equipment at the World Languages Expo, and network with professionals from around the world. After the convention, I will prepare a summary of my experiences, including information on how I can implement new practices as a professional. Evaluation will be based on attendance and written reports of activities.
- Gain knowledge of new and developing ideas, practices, and research in foreign language education.
- Explore ways to use new information in classroom settings.
- Attend the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo, November 18-20, 2022, in Boston, MA.
- Prepare a written summary of experiences at the convention, including a description of sessions attended, knowledge gained, and how new ideas will be used in practice.
- Develop a class activity based on knowledge gained at one of the sessions.
- Course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
- Proof of convention attendance and written materials showing the completion of other activities will be submitted to the professor within one month of convention attendance.

Example #2

Independent Study Title: Current Trends and Practices in Language Education Hours of Credit: Three

- Gain knowledge of new and developing ideas, practices, and research in foreign language education.
- Examine new resources, products, and equipment now available for career and technical education programs.
- Explore ways to use new information in classroom settings.
- Develop a class plan using knowledge gained at one of the sessions.
- Exchange ideas through networking with other professionals.
- Gain knowledge of new and developing ideas, practices, and research in foreign language education.
- Examine new resources, products, and equipment now available for career and technical education programs.
- Explore ways to use new information in classroom settings.
- Develop a class plan using knowledge gained at one of the sessions.
- Exchange ideas through networking with other professionals.
- Attend the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo, November 18-20, 2022, in Boston, MA.
- Prepare a written summary of experiences at the convention, including a description of sessions attended, knowledge gained, and how new ideas and research findings will be used in practice.
- Assigned readings.
- Tour the World Languages Expo while at the Convention, complete the Expo Passport, attend at least one exhibitor workshop, and contact one exhibitor after the show to get more information about available resources.
- Exchange contact information and lesson plans or classroom management ideas with at least five people I meet at the convention. After returning home, follow up with at least one of them for further details.
- Course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
- Proof of convention attendance and written materials showing the completion of other activities will be submitted to the professor within one month of convention attendance.

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