President:  Elsa Castillo

Vice-President: Camilla Colby

Secretary: Nereyda Garza

Treasurer: Sharon Farley

Social Chair:  Nancy Pérez

Membership: Zochitl Fuentes

Elsa Castillo

Dear Colleagues: I am very pleased for the wonderful experiences and activities of out chapter during the last four months.what is to come in the near future.

I feel hopeful and excited for

We are now busy preparing for the following activities: Spanish and French camps, CLTA annual conference in San Diego and the Spring Scholarship Banquet. As we prepare for these activities in the year 2001, let's not forget we will be establishing the basis for the future of foreign language education in our region for many years to come.

We need to keep the pace with the latest technological advances. Let's keep in mind the following:

The strong economy has resulted in a funding increase for foreign language teaching and training.. As many of you already know Fresno is one of the new sites for the Foreign Language Project. With the new technology our students are able to cross borders with a single click of the mouse. The Internet has opened incredible opportunities to learn and interact with people around the world. Nevertheless, we as teachers remain the most unique and important conduit for student learning. We are the best models for them, and we have the responsibility to practice and continue to learn the language we teach. To increase our knowledge should be one of our primary goals for
2001. Let's make plans now to attend the San Diego Conference, let's support the Foreign Language Project, and let's be active members of CVFLA.
With great hopes for the future of our profession, I challenge you to set the foundation toward the Third Millennium.

Camilla Colby

Joyce Pinkard, Jacinta Amaral, and Saúl Jiménez at the Fall Mini-Conference

The FCC and CVFLA sponsored fall mini-conference held at Fresno City College on Saturday, October 20 was a resounding success. High school and college language teachers attended six different workshops in two morning sessions. A wide variety of subject matter offered new insights, skills, and teaching tips.

Sharon Ferrer, seasoned Spanish teacher from FCC, offered a lively presentation of a 3-step instructional plan on pastimes for beginning language levels. Her session ended with a valuable packet of materials in Spanish ready for immediate use in the classroom.

"A Rainbow of Activities" was the session Patricia Duvet led for teachers of all levels of French. She too distributed a prepared packet of two cultural projects she has used successfully in her classes both at Sierra High School and at Fresno City College. One of the participants complimented Patricia on her superb materials and presentation, adding that she was excited about being able to communicate in French for the entire session.

Alberto Perales of Dinuba High School spoke to a full house with his "Tips For Success in Classes For Native Speakers." His discussions and handouts centered around silent sustained reading, journal writing, spelling bees, and other techniques for furthering literacy in Spanish. Participants were enthusiastic about the practicality and usefulness of Alberto’s materials.

Teachers of more advanced students of Spanish were treated to a wealth of content and technique in Saúl Jiménez Sandoval’s session, "The Color Of Poetry: A Mini-Lesson On Renaissance And Baroque Aesthetics." Participants learned the tenets of baroque and renaissance painting and used the characteristics of these periods of art to identify and appreciate 16^th and 17^th century Spanish poetry. Saúl is a new and welcome addition to the Spanish Department at CSUF. According to CSUF Spanish professor, Jacinta Amarral, Saúl is a superb medievalist greatly appreciated by students and colleagues.

In a session on the geography, history, and culture of Chile participants were surrounded by examples of Chilean artifacts and music and scenes of this beautiful and diverse country. Nereyda Garza-Lozano and Karen Hammer presented "Conozca Chile" to a large group which included many of Raquel Rodriguez’ Saturday Spanish class. Nereyda teaches Spanish at Fresno City College, and Karen teaches at FCC sister college, the Clovis Center. True to Murphy’s law, Karen and Nereyda were unable to show their carefully prepared power-point presentation because of a technology glitch. Yet the two carried on successfully, generating enthusiasm for Chile and proving what innovative and flexible teachers they are!

Renato Martínez, Fresno City College Spanish instructor, offered a two-part workshop on "Creating Your Own Web Page." Participants gained valuable skills creating a web page and using the internet to prepare language and cultural materials for their students. Technology cooperated for Renato and his students, who wished they had been able to continue for the rest of the day.

The Price of Progress? Chile: An Emerging Economy in Latin America’s Most Contaminated Country Karen Hammer

During our participation last summer in the Fulbright-Hays Seminar in Chile, fifteen Spanish teachers from California had the opportunity to learn firsthand about Chile and the Chilean economy. We had the honor of meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Chile, John O’Leary, who assured us that U.S.-Chilean relations have never been better, with the U.S. now being Chile’s largest trading partner as well as the largest foreign investor in Chile. Certainly a stroll down one of Santiago’s paseos peatonales will eventually bring to view a Taco Bell, Dunkin’ Donuts, or Blockbuster.

During the last 20 years the Chilean economy has sustained a 6% growth rate. According to a recent U.N. study, Chile is the second most developed nation of Latin America, second to Argentina. Jaime Bazán, general manager of the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce, told us that Chile is considered one of the countries of the world with the least amount of corruption. Furthermore, the U.S. banking firm, J.P. Morgan, ranked Chile as the developing nation with the least amount of risk for investors.

Today even harsh critics of the Pinochet dictatorship will credit the General for the legacy of Chile’s relatively prosperous economy. After the military coup in 1973, Pinochet put the "Chicago boys" in charge of the economy. These economists, educated at the University of Chicago, took drastic measures to change from a protectionist to an open market economy based on the export of those products in which Chile enjoys a comparative advantage. For example, while it was not economically advantageous for Chile to produce automobiles, Chile does enjoy a comparative advantage in the production and exportation of wine. Today Chile’s major export products are copper, accounting for 40% of Chile’s exports, fruit, wine, wood, and sea products. Chile is the second largest exporter of Chile’s exports, fruit, wine, wood, and sea products. Chile is the second largest exporter of salmon in the world.

During our stay in Santiago it was surprising to visit the Alto Las Condes Mall and see a shopping center that rivals or surpasses any I’ve seen in the U.S. Yet in spite of Chile’s economic gains, 20% of the population live in poverty and 14% in extreme poverty. Simply put, some have, others have not. The "trickle down" economic model has its critics, among others Chilean ex-President Patricio Alywin who has warned against the "idolatry of the market" and expressed pessimism about the possibility of achieving social development through this economic model. On the environmental front, according to Greenpeace and other environmental organizations, Chile has become the most contaminated country of Latin America, and Pudahuel, a sector of Santiago near the airport, is the most contaminated municipality on the planet. Is this the price of progress and rapid economic development? Is our economic model necessarily the best for the developing world and for us?

  Back to the top

Throughout the semester the group had the honor of performing for the United States Secretary of Education, Mario Moreno, during his recent visit to our school campus. The Folkórico class also represented Central High at various outside performances such as the CVFLA, mini-conference, at Fresno City College, and The Big Fresno Fair.

The Folkórico class has experienced many challenges and obstacles, such as the lack of funds for regional costumes, and inadequate sound system. Nevertheless, the group managed to overcome these obstacles, by working harder in the classroom, by increasing fundraising activities, and by showing their love for dancing and their ˇganas de bailar!

Among the fundraising activities were a Tamale Sale, a raffle of a bracelet donated to the class, and a dinner-dance, with a traditional Mexican Chile Verde Dinner, followed by beautiful dancing performed by most of the 35 students in the class. This fundraising event was a huge success. The class was able to rent some costums and to purchase costumes for 3 different regions: Aztec, Sinaloa and Chihuahua.

Judith Snyder

Early in the school year, the foreign language teachers of Fresno Unified met to plan the curriculum meetings for 2000-2001. They made suggestions for topics and recommended presenters.

In October, Maricela Limon shared an "Encuentro Magico" with her FUSD colleagues at beautiful Sunnyside High School. The "Language Enhancement Opportunity" was held at Barbara Mortanian's lovely home in November.

Teachers met with the new superintendent, Dr. Santiago Wood, at Bullard High for a holiday gathering. In January, Melanie Halstead of Bullard did a very user-friendly presentation for her not-so-techie friends.

Teachers are now looking forward to Gabriela Ibarra's "Bring the Power to the Classroom" which will be held February 14 at Computech. She will be demonstrating how to use Power Point. The March meeting might be a "Bring the Power… part II".

In April, language teachers will be trekking to Terronez Middle School for a tour. The school just opened after winter break. Spanish teacher Rocio Cruz will be conducting the tour.

After attending the CLTA Conference in San Diego, attendees will be sharing their "Treasures of the Conference" with each other and with those who were unable to attend at Tenaya Middle School. Laura Silberman will be hosting the May session.

David Ross

• Drawing February 2: L'Alliance Française de Fresno is conducting a SCHOLARSHIP FUND-RAISER; win two round-trip Air France Tickets to Paris; tickets are $5.00 each; only 750 tickets were printed; contact David Ross at 278-6480 or any Alliance Française Board member.
• The Alliance Française is planning to announce this Spring 2001 several scholarship opportunities for future and current teachers of French in the public schools. The purpose of the scholarships will be to encourage French teachers to attend the Summer CLTA Workshop at UCSB, and/or to study or work in France or Quebec. Stay tuned!
• Wed., Feb. 2: Chandeleur (crępes potluck) Bullard H.S., 6:30-8:30 PM.
• Tues., Feb. 21: French Film La Vie ręvée des anges, English subtitles; Presented by Dr. June Gill CSUF Smittcamp facility, 7 PM.
• Thurs., March 8: Rodin Lecture by Michele Mattlock. Fresno Art Museum, 7:30 PM.
• Wed., March 28: Lecture in French by Geo. Grand En Descendant les quais de la Seine. SUF Smittcamp facility, 7:30 PM.

For further information call 227-9850. For information on becoming a member call Colleen Mitchell at (559) 221-1531.

  Dr. Freeman and some of his students

For 31 years of dedicated hard work Dr. Ron Freeman was a professor at California State University in Fresno. He taught diligently from 1969 to 2000. One of the many qualities which made Dr. Freeman one of the best professors ever was his total dedication to teaching.

During 31 years he was an excellent mentor and instructor. He was always available to students, willing to spend time explaining, advising, directing, and sharing knowledge with those who sought his counsel. He gave thousands of hours guiding and mentoring graduate students from the Teaching Associate Program at the University. Dr. Freeman was willing to share every bit of knowledge he had.

He openly gave out any written material he produced after spending hours at the computer. Proof of this is the fact that material created to teach Spanish by Dr. Freeman can be found in the high schools and community colleges around the Central Valley and beyond. Thus, his teachings have multiplied exponentially. His teaching has affected not only his students, but also all those who have been exposed to these students.

Many of the current leaders in the field of foreign language teaching in the Valley have been Dr. Freeman's students. They have benefited from his knowledge and the example he provided for them. He is a man of impeccable ethical standards. He is a role model and his influence extended beyond the CSUF campus.

For 31 years, Dr. Freeman taught future teachers of foreign language to respect their students by always being prepared to teach.

Sharon Ferrer

I am so very honored to have the opportunity to write a few lines about a person for whom I have so much respect and affection, Dr. Ron Freeman. For so many of us, Dr. Freeman represents the premiere example of top quality instruction at its finest.

I first met him when I began undergraduate courses for a Spanish major. From the moment I set foot in his office, I knew I was one of the many students fortunate enough to have received his guidance. There is a well-known expression in Spanish, "mi casa es su casa". In Dr. Freeman, students quickly learned that he had an unstated policy of "mi oficina es su oficina". With the exception of class time or other university duties, Dr. Freeman could always be found in his office from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or later, giving of his talent, knowledge, and time. I shared an office with him for approximately three years, and it was something like Grand Central Station. Students were in and out all day long. Without fail, he managed to find time for them, provide any assistance needed, and always with kindness. I really don't know how he did it.

Students knew that in Dr. Freeman they had found the best instructor. His classes could only be defined as pure excellence. It didn't matter if he

was teaching beginning, intermediate, advanced, grammar, literature, composition, conversation, methodology . Students found him to be prepared and polished. By his own actions, he set an example for us all.

Somehow, he made it look effortless, but with the shear volume of materials he generated, it was clear that he worked very hard to put together the best course possible.

Dr. Freeman has always shown a great deal of concern, affection and respect for his students, and they in turn feel the same for him. After a long and

fruitful career, Dr. Freeman has left evidence of his legacy throughout the valley and, for that matter, the state. Our classrooms are full of his protégés. I have now been teaching Spanish for about ten years. During my tenure, I have received many compliments from my students regarding my classes and method of instruction. I am always quick to point out that I learned from the best, Dr. Freeman.