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Bonnie L. Youngs, Carnegie Mellon University

Teaching Statement: I am a teacher. In order to achieve my personal best in this field, I put my energy into developing materials according to effective teaching methodologies, but also with an eye on language acquisition and teaching research.

Research Statement: My work focuses on the appropriate use of web-based technology according to the guidelines of widely accepted foreign language teaching methodologies, namely proficiency-oriented methodology and content-based methodology, as well as technology research. In addition, I am enthused to renew the profession's dedication to the application of proficiency-oriented and content-based methodologies in developing beginning and intermediate foreign language teaching materials.

Recent projects: These have included completion of a web study with my colleague Anne Green, in which we compared, in a quasi-experimental research design, two groups each of first year French and German students, and followed their progress over a full academic year. This paper was recently published in the CALICO Journal, Volume 19, No. 1, 2001. Additionally, we completed a paper on a successful peer writing assistant program that is in use at Carnegie Mellon. This article appeared in the November/December 2001 edition of the Foreign Language Annals. My newest project is an examination of the teaching methodology of online courses; what do teachers need to know in order to teach effectively in an online environment? Linked with that, is participation in CALICO's newest SIG on Teacher Education.

Additionally, I am very interested in the development of methodologically-sound first year language materials. In my experience, published materials (which is to say, mainstream textbooks) have a dearth of proficiency-oriented, content-based, interactive materials to offer. I hope to work toward applying recent research in this area to encourage the development of materials for our students. Materials based on the same concept for teaching grammar and culture in second and third year courses are presented on this site.

PSMLA: Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association

The PSMLA is Pennsylvania's state language organization which works to improve the language learning and teaching situation in our state. PSMLA offers workshops, yearly conferences, and one publication- the Pennsylvania Language Forum - to its members. I co-edit this publication with Devin Browne and Elisabeth Donato; if you have any item to submit for consideration, please send it to me. (Non-members may of course join us in workshops and conferences.)

Membership in our state organization is $30.00 per calendar year. As a co-editor of the Forum, a member of the Executive Council, chair of the ACT 48 Committee, and one of two PSMLA delegates to the ACTFL conference, I try to remain involved with the issues that affect the K-16 teachers in our state. Please visit the PSMLA website to find out more about us, to help you with advocacy issues, and perhaps, to join!

NorthEast Conference (NEC)

Another part of my work for K-16 is participation the NorthEast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Held every April, this conference, for the first time in 2003, held a meeting of the states that make up the NorthEast Conference. The link above will take you to the NECStates page featuring news, information, and links for member states of the NEC.

Contact
Bonnie L. Youngs, PhD
Associate Teaching Professor of French
Department of Modern Languages
Baker Hall 160
Carnegie Mellon University
Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890
Tel: (412) 268-5669, -8050
Fax: (412) 268-1328
Email: (412) byoungs@andrew.cmu.edu

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