ACTFL Standards
Baan Aksorn follows the standards of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) — the five C's of foreign language education.
Baan Aksorn follows the standards of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). These national standards for foreign language education center around five goals: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities — the five C’s of foreign language education.
Communication in Thai
Standard 1.1:
Students engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
Standard 1.2:
Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Standard 1.3:
Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on various topics.
Baan Aksorn suggests that a beginning student learn Thai alphabet writing, Kor to Hor pronunciation, combining letters, and spelling. After students learn Thai language fundamentals, they will continue to learn words and meanings and how to create sentences. At the beginning of the course, the instructor will explain the lessons in English so that students can understand better. Instructors will integrate activities and evaluations throughout to achieve maximum results.
Cultures: Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Thai Culture
Standard 2.1:
Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of Thai culture.
Standard 2.2:
Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of Thai culture.
Connections: Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information
Standard 3.1:
Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the Thai language.
Standard 3.2:
Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the Thai language and its cultures.
Comparisons: Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture
Standard 4.1:
Students demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language through comparisons between the Thai language and their own.
Standard 4.2:
Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of Thai culture and their own culture.
Communities: Participate in Thai Society
Standard 5.1:
Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
Standard 5.2:
Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.