Activities are designed to expose students to a variety of learning styles and linguistic and cultural contexts. Teachers recognize learners as active constructors of meaning rather than passive receivers of information. Curriculum and instruction are based upon thematic centers, issues or content areas with a focus on communication. Assessment of learning is frequent, regular and ongoing in a manner that is consistent with program goals and teaching strategies. The second language program draws from and reinforces the goals of the general education core curriculum, including cognitive skills development and understanding cultural differences.
Courses integrate the use of technology both in professor modeling and student work.
Because teachers tend to teach the way they were taught, content instruction must be a model of good teaching. Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Courses need to maximize exposure to varied thematic and linguistic domains. Culture in all its complexity is infused as a part of each course so that students learn about the historical frames of culture, develop multiple cultural perspectives, view culture as an ongoing process, and undertake contrastive cultural analysis. This will lead to reflection regarding life experiences that is necessary for global citizens.