YLTF: Activities

Yoruba Language Task Force
History ¬ Activities ¬ Members ¬ Materials ¬ Programs

April, 1997	ALTA International Conference University of Wisconsin-Madison Members of both the Task Force and the advisory board were present at ALTA's First Annual International Conference. After a review of the activities of the Task Force since its creation in 1994, it was decided that the Yoruba Language Task Force should be expanded to include members of the advisory board. As such, the activities of all Yoruba language instructors will be reviewed and endorsed by the Yoruba language field. Four members were appointed as the Yoruba language field contacts in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa: North America: Dr. Antonia Schleicher University of Wisconsin-Madison, U.S. Europe: Dr. Alao France Asia: Dr. Afolabi Olabode Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Japan Africa: Dr. Akinwumi Isola University of Ibadan, Nigeria Members of the Yoruba Language Task Force presented a report on the Yoruba Language Learning Framework (YLLF), expected to be ready by the middle of the summer of 1997. The YLLF will contain a Teacher's Guide (the Goal-Driven Curriculum document), a Students' Guide, and the Yoruba language instruction Directory. The following materials were also reported to be under development: Dr. Schleicher: completion of the CD-ROM to accompany her first-year Yoruba textbook. Dr. Schleicher and Mr. Ojo: completion of filming in Nigeria for the video that will accompany the textbook. Dr. Isola: ongoing production of short (30 minute) cultural documentaries. Dr. Lawal: ongoing work on a textbook on Yoruba culture. All the members of the Yoruba language field are asked to submit articles. After discussing the direction and future prospects for the Task Force, the following tasks were assigned: Dr. Alao: review and update the directory section of the YLLF. Dr. Schleicher: set up an initial Yoruba Language Task Force Web page. All members: identify and support all projects by members of the Yoruba language field that will contribute to the development of the field.
Summer 1996	National Foreign Language Center Washington, D.C. Thanks to a Mellon Fellowship, Drs. Schleicher, Arasanyin and Sekoni were able to work during the summer of 1996 at the National Foreign Language Center in Washington and jointly produce a document on Goal-Driven Curriculum. This document is contained in the Yoruba Language Learning Framework.
June 9-11, 1995	ALTA Joint Task Force Workshop on the Language Learning Framework After three meetings of the Yoruba Language Task Force, tasks were assigned for three major projects: Yoruba Language Program Framework Directory (YLPFD) Dr. Schleicher: coordinate the entire project and research available multimedia resources. Dr. Sekoni and Mr. Ojo: research available human and institutional resources. Dr. Sekoni: create list of available cultural textbooks. Mr. Ojo: create list of available language textbooks. Dr. Aransanyin: work on the draft and content development of the Yoruba language Goal-Driven Curriculum paper. First-year teaching materials All members: evaluate and recommend text materials for the first-year students. Dr. Schleicher and Mr. Ojo: produce a full length video for first-year language instruction. Use of the Internet Mr. Ojo: create an electronic mailing and discussion list on the Internet.
March 23, 1995	ALTA Business Meeting Rutgers University, Newark The Yoruba Language Task Force presented a report of its first year of progress. The report contained an initial program listing. The draft of the YLPFD was presented to the Task Force by Mr. Ojo for review. Members promised to update the missing sections of the directory by November. The Task Force also decided to begin preliminary work on a compilation of syllabi from various Yoruba culture classes. The task of compiling the syllabi was given to Dr. Schleicher, while each member of the Task Force was to select an area of focus from the compiled syllabi. The selection of additional contributors and editors was to be done at the next meeting of the Task Force.
1994	ALTA Business Meeting Immediately after its creation, the Yoruba language Task Force assigned duties to its members, as follows: Dr. Schleicher: develop a CD-ROM to accompany her first-year instructional textbook. Dr. Arasanyin: review Dr. Schleicher's JÍ K' ¡ Ka Yor˜b·, Professor Schleicher's second-year textbook, for Yale University Press. Drs. Arasanyin and Sekoni: begin work on the development of curriculum enhancement materials for Yoruba language teaching. Mr. Ojo: act as liaison officer for the Task Force and identify members of the field of Yoruba language teaching produce of a directory of the field establish of links between the field (Task Force and advisory board) and Yoruba language programs in Nigeria and elsewhere collect information on grants, fellowships and other support for Yoruba language scholars and teachers