Power-Glide Portfolio Requirements:

Semester (.5 credit) $75		Year (1.0 credit) $100
2-4 minute prepared audio presentation, with the learner speaking the target language. At the beginning of the audio or video, state name, which course credit is being sought, and the title of the presentation. Example: My name is John Doe. I am seeking credit for Spanish 1. The title of my presentation is a recitation of "The Three Little Pigs."		Two Prepared Presentations: 2-4 minute creations demonstrating the learner's spoken language ability. At the beginning of the audio or video, the learner will state his/her name, which course credit is being sought, and the title of the presentation.
5-6 page research paper in English on a country in which the target language is spoken. The body of the essay should be 3-4 pages with the addition of a title page and bibliography page. The paper should be in a 12-point Times New Roman or equivalent font and double-spaced.		6-7-page research paper in English on a country in which the target language is spoken. The body of the essay should be 4-5 pages with the addition of a title page and bibliography page. The paper should be in a 12-point Times New Roman or equivalent font and double-spaced.
Two creative projects involving the student with the target language and a summary of the experience.		Three creative projects involving the student with the target language and a summary of the experience.
Creative Project Ideas Make a recipe. Find a grocery store that caters to speakers of your target language. Ask for the ingredients in the target language. Watch a movie or attend a play or opera in the foreign language. Read a short book or poem in the target language, or translate an English one into the target language. Go with your family to an authentic foreign restaurant and order your food in the language. Make some kind of traditional item (ie a piñata) Listen to music in the target language. Learn about a painter or scultptor and then make a replica. Learn about a musician and then learn one of their pieces. Have a conversation in your target language with a neighbor, friend, or foreign exchange student at your school.
2-4 page narrative, mini-story plot, or adventure using the target language. This should show a variety of language learning and should be more than just a dialogue between two people. Use 12-point Times New Roman or equivalent font and double space.		2-4 page narrative, mini-story plot, or adventure using the target language. This should show a variety of language learning and should be more than just a dialogue between two people. Use 12-point Times New Roman or equivalent font and double space.
3 written tests from the Academic Guide. The written tests are a measure of progress in the course and should be graded by the student.		6 written tests from the Academic Guide. The written tests are a measure of progress in the course and should be graded by the student.

Policies and Guidelines for Receiving Credit

All credit is administered by a company called Power-Glide, not LanguageLovers.com.

Power-Glide offers an excellent alternative for learners to receive the language credit needed to enter colleges and universities throughout the country. Power-Glide is accredited through Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

Students who have previously done well in other schoolwork (3.0 and above), are in grades 7-12, and are motivated and will allow time each day for language study should expect to complete the course with a passing grade.

POWER-GLIDE MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to offer learners a dramatic departure from traditional language learning and provide them the educational opportunity of accessing their natural language learning abilities enabling them to discover their potential to succeed and unlock their enthusiasm for life-long learning.

POWER-GLIDE PURPOSE

Our purpose is to help the independent learner:

• Use effective learning strategies.
• Acquire skill and confidence in understanding normal native speech and produce spontaneous creative speech.
• Acquire a foundation of skills and knowledge for continued pursuit of language mastery.
• Overcome self-doubt, mid-sentence hesitation, and over-concern with mechanics, which will obstruct the learning process.

POWER-GLIDE BELIEF STATEMENTS

At Power-Glide we believe:

• All people are learners.
• Learners develop in different ways and at different rates.
• Without aiming for the proper destination, and without effective strategies to move learners efficiently toward that destination, learners will fall short.
• Speaking a foreign language is essential for participating in today's social interactions within our own communities and abroad.
• Language learning is a creative process involving experimentation, exploration, trial and error, and discovery.
• A single academic approach to language learning will not ascend students to real proficiency.
• Clear goals and high expectations for students will guide the curriculum to be of highest quality.
• Parents, learners, and facilitators will have an open line of communication with the administration where questions and concerns can be addressed and answers and solutions are achieved.
• Our commitment to constantly improve is fundamental.
• Language teaching, research, computer technology, and evaluations from our student-body will be key elements in continual evaluation and course revisions.

REFUND POLICY

Full refunds on course materials will be given within 30 days, provided all materials are returned in good condition and without marks or writing.

EXPECTATION OF STUDENTS

Each learner must have access to a computer with reliable internet access either at home or through a local school or library. Computer requirements are as follows:

Windows

• Intel Pentium II processor or compatible, 166 MHz or faster
• Windows 95/98
• 32 MB of installed RAM
• 16-bit sound card
• 800X600 resolution and 8-bit, 256-color monitor
• 20 MB of available hard drive space (for CD-ROM Supplement)
• QuickTime 4.0 or higher (Included in the supplement package)
• Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher (Included in the supplement package)
• A reliable Internet Browser
• Ability to send and receive email

Macintosh

• PowerPC, 166 MHz or faster
• MAC OS 8.1 or higher
• Minimum 16 MB available application RAM; Recommended 32 MB available application RAM
• 800x600 resolution and 8-bit, 256-color monitor
• 20 MB of available hard drive space (for CD-ROM Supplement)
• QuickTime 4.0 or higher (Included in the supplement package)
• Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher (Included in the supplement package)
• A reliable Internet Browser
• Ability to send and receive email

COURSE OFFERINGS/DESCRIPTIONS

We believe that the most important objective in studying a second language is learning to communicate with a native speaker. We do not typically ask the learner to memorize isolated grammar rules and lists of vocabulary. The grammar instruction is always there, but the focus is on communication of ideas, so the grammar is learned in context. Our learners will develop a strong background and exceed the abilities of their traditional high school counterparts in learning a second language.

Currently, we offer two years of high school credit or .5 credits per semester in each of the following languages: Spanish, French, and German. Each course is self-contained with workbook, audio components, and academic study guide.

All courses are centered on a communicative philosophy that best imitates the way native language is learned. Courses are intertwined with an adventure designed to make learning a new language exciting and fun. Each activity is designed to reinforce grammar concepts, vocabulary, cultural understanding, and spontaneous creative speech.

FERPA POLICY

According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) learner's educational records are considered private and can be viewed only by authorized school personnel, the student, or parent/legal guardian. The nature of distance learning requires information to be sent out via telephone, e-mail, letter, fax, or other forms of communication. To protect all learners and adhere to the FERPA policy we require an ID# before we release information to a student or a parent/legal guardian.

ASSESSMENT AND CREDIT

For each semester course of study the learner will be evaluated on 3 written tests, 1 semester portfolio, and 1 semester test. Completion of online progress tests and written tests will be worth 10% of the final grade. These tests are designed to help the learner evaluate his/her own progress. The semester portfolio assignment will be worth 50% of the final grade. The portfolio is a showcase of the learner's ability to perform in various aspects of the language. It demonstrates creative and spontaneous language skills as well as polished presentations. The semester test will be worth 40% of the final grade. The test is comprehensive and covers information that demonstrates the learner's ability to retain information and use it in a structured situation.

In order to maintain the integrity of Power-Glide, both the semester portfolio and the semester test must be passed in order to receive credit. If an A is received on a portfolio but an E is received on a final, the learner will not pass the course. The final may be retaken once for a fee of $25.00.

Upon submitting the challenge fee, portfolio, and a request for the final test, Power-Glide will mail the test to your proctor. You must include the name, business address and telephone number of the proctor who will be administrating the semester final. The proctor is responsible to return the test to Power-Glide. Semester finals may be proctored by one of the following individuals:

• Full-time public or private teacher
• Full-time public or school librarian
• School counselor/registrar
• School principal
• School superintendent
• Embassy educational officer
• Military base/station education officer
• Base commander
• Local college testing center (they may have an additional charge for an outside test)

Family members and relatives, religious leaders, and employers are not considered viable proctors.

After the semester test is graded, the grades will be posted and a report card issued. The following grading scale is used to determine the final grade:

     90%-100% = 4.0 A
     80%-89%  = 3.0 B
     70%-79%  = 2.0 C
     60%-69%  = 1.0 D
     00%-59%  = 0.0 E

REPORT CARDS AND TRANSCRIPTS

Report cards will be issued with grades and credit approximately 2-3 weeks after the semester test scores have been posted. This is the certificate of completion but is not an official transcript. Official transcripts may be requested from Power-Glide for a $2.00 fee per copy. The transcripts will be mailed to schools, colleges or universities upon request for a $5.00 fee.

EVALUATION OF COURSE

After completing the semester test, students will be asked to fill out an evaluation form and return it to Power-Glide. This information is anonymous and will not affect the final grade. The responses will be carefully reviewed to help us improve the quality of materials and service provided to our learners.