We Teach Languages

Stacey shares interviews with several teachers who all work with heritage learners in different contexts. First, Chris Cashman tells us about what has worked for him in his secondary heritage language classes and how his OPI (oral proficiency interview) training has proved valuable. Then, we hear three interviews with college instructors from ACTFL: Maria Manni, Felix Burgos, and Shannon Hahn all...

Stacey interviews Dr. Maria Carreira about teaching heritage language learners. Maria shares a few of the resources available through the National Heritage Language Resource Center and talks about some of the ways teachers can implement research-based practices with heritage language learners. The topics Maria discusses include project-based learning, differentiated instruction, program design, as...

In ep 82, Dorie Conlon Perugini interviews LJ Randolph about what it means to teach languages for social justice and how teachers can think about representation in their classrooms. LJ shares resources, big ideas, and practical examples for teachers who want to explore what social justice might look like in a language classroom. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/12/07/ep...

In ep 81, Carolyn Siegel interviews Jason Pedicone, co-founder of the Paideia Institute. Carolyn experienced Paideia’s pedagogical approach first-hand while accompanying Latin students in 2014 on a trip to Rome with a Paideia Living Latin trip. In this interview Jason discusses the teaching of living Latin and Greek at Paideia as well as his work with PhDs in the Classics, including professional n...

In ep 80, Stacey shares takeaways and reflections on the conference experience from seven different language teachers at ACTFL in New Orleans. Even if you couldn't be there in person, we hope you'll benefit from our reports. If you have something you want to share, send it to us by email, voicemail, or social media and we'll include it in our upcoming newsletter!  For links and show notes, visit h...

In ep 79, Stacey talks with Julie Sykes and Thomas Sauer, two language resource center directors, about some of what their centers offer to programs, teachers, and learners. We get into some fun discussion about pragmatics, intercultural competence, and jumping into new projects with a team. You’ll want to listen all the way to the end of this episode to catch a big announcement about the future o...

In this ACTFL18 BONUS episode, Stacey talks about three things you should do if you will be attending the 2018 convention of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in new Orleans this week. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/11/12/actfl18-bonus We welcome feedback, resources, and diverse perspectives on this topic! To contribute to the conversation star...

In ep 78, Han Xioa interviews her former professor, Wilbur Wong, about his approach to teaching English as a foreign language in a Chinese university. Professor Wong touches on some important topics in language teaching including motivation, the importance of authentic resources, and the usefulness of standardized tests. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/11/09/ep-78-wilb...

In ep 77, Stacey explores how to get the most out of going to a conference about language teaching. WTL volunteers Maris Hawkins, Carolyn Siegel, and Janina Hanson all weigh in with their best advice, as do some past guests. Do you have a conference coming up? Listen to this episode to prepare for the big event and make sure you get the most out of the experience. For links and show notes, visit h...

In ep 76, John Mullen interviews three teachers: Dr Benjamin Jens and Dr. Colleen Lucey,  Assistant Professors of Russian from the University of Arizona, and Dr. Ben Rifkin,  Professor and Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Hofstra University. John, Benjamin, Colleen, and Ben answer all of our questions about how and why to use oral history projects with language learners. For links and show...

In ep 75, Maris Hawkins interviews Kara Jacobs, a Spanish teacher who is well-known for sharing lessons, units, stories, and activities around authentic resources on her blog. If you don't already know Kara, this interview is a great introduction to her, her approach, and the kinds of resources she shares. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/10/19/ep-75-with-kara-jacobs We...

In ep 74, Dr. Brenna Byrd is on the show to talk about her role at the University of Kentucky, her experience as the 2017 teacher of the year for SCOLT, and her advice for new graduate student instructors navigating challenges in the classroom. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/10/12/ep-74-with-brenna-byrd We welcome feedback, resources, and diverse perspectives on this...

In ep 73, Dorie Conlon Perugini interviews Dr. Michael Byram, Professor Emeritus in the School of Education at Durham University and one of the most influential voices in the study of intercultural competence in language education. Dorie and Mike discuss Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) and how to achieve it in language classrooms. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.co...

In ep 72, Carolyn Siegel interviews Elena Morgan and Rachel Frenkil about the content-based approach that they have taken in their upper-level Spanish IV course. In this course that they developed, they weave advanced language study together with the history of Latin America, political theory, and Jewish identity to create a learning experience that is educationally rich and also personally meanin...

In ep 71, we get to learn from Aliana Parker, the Language Programs Manager at the First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) in British Columbia, Canada. All over the world, indigenous languages are facing existential threats. In Canada, Aliana and the FPCC are working towards the preservation and revitalization of their province's linguistic heritage through innovative programs and community resourc...

Stacey shares advice for new teachers from Albert Fernandez, Bill Denham, and Ying Jin. Taking a cue from the last few minutes of episode 69 with Leslie Grahn, we get a few more perspectives for new language teachers. After you listen, reach out to us and tell us YOUR best advice for new language teachers! For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/09/14/ep-70-with-albert-fernand...

In ep 69, Stacey interviews Leslie Grahn about how to engage learners in the language classroom with a focus on her 2017 book co-authored with Dave McAlpine called The Keys to Strategies for Language Instruction. Do you want to learn how to increase student learning and confidence in your classroom? Listen to this episode and then enter to win Leslie's book or a seat to her VLM (Virtual Learning M...

In ep 68, Maris Hawkins interviews Erin Whelchel about the Lead with Languages campaign from the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Did you know that research shows that world languages are one of the top skills required by employers across all industries? Listen as Maris and Erin discuss the value of language learning as well as the advocacy resources available throug...

In ep 67, Stacey talks with the Williamson County Schools world languages curriculum writing team including teachers Amanda Baker, Robert Collard, Chelsea Graves, Nicole Hernandez, Brian Rentfro, and Rebecca Roa, district supervisor Christi Gilliland, and consultant Thomas Sauer.  In the second part of this interview, they discuss some of the changes they have made in their teaching and describe w...

In ep 66, we share a conversation between Stacey and seven members of the Williamson County Schools world languages curriculum writing team, teachers Amanda Baker, Robert Collard, Chelsea Graves, Nicole Hernandez, Brian Rentfro, and Rebecca Roa, and district supervisor Christi Gilliland. Representing three different languages, this group of colleagues has been meeting for the last three summers to...

In ep 65, Stacey brings in several guests to discuss preparing students to take those big, standardized tests that students around the world take to certify their language ability, a practice that comes with some benefits but also some challenges. We will revisit some previous episodes, and hear from two guests that are new to the podcast, Savas Savides, an educational consultant in Greece, and Do...

In ep 64, Stacey continues with a three-part series on the Seal of Biliteracy in the US with Melanie Thomas and Pat DiPillo. Melanie and Pat decsribe how their own districts navigated the early stages of implementing the Seal and offer resources and advice. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/08/03/ep-64-with-melanie-thomas-and-pat-dipillo We welcome feedback, resources, a...

In ep 63, Stacey continues with a three-part series on the Seal of Biliteracy in the US with an interview with Linda Egnatz. Linda describes how Illinois became the third state to pass the Seal of Biliteracy as well as her vision for the future of the Seal. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/07/26/ep-63-with-linda-egnatz We welcome feedback, resources, and diverse perspec...

In ep 62, Stacey kicks off a three-part series on the Seal of Biliteracy in the US by looking back at an episode from 2017 in which Caleb Howard interviewed Amanda Seewald about advocacy and the Seal of Biliteracy in the state of New Jersey. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/07/20/ep-62-with-amanda-seewald We welcome feedback, resources, and diverse perspectives on this...

In ep 61, Stacey looks back at two episodes from 2017 in which two of the editors of the book Intercultural Communicative Competence Across the Age Range discuss the book's origins and ideas. For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/07/13/ep-61-with-dorie-conlon-perugini-and-manuela-wagner We welcome feedback, resources, and diverse perspectives on this topic! To contribute to...