World Language Classroom

#49 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 20 on Rubrics and episode 37 on Competency-Based Grading. Listen to the episodes: Episode #20:  Effective Rubrics with Beckie Bray Rankin Episode #37: Competency-Based Grading with Ursula Askins-Huber Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign up for Talking Points, my weekly newsletter with tips, tools and resources fo...

#48 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 17 on motivation and episode 43 on student choice. Listen to the episodes: Episode #17: Increasing Student Motivation with Tracy E. Rucker Episode #43: Student Choice in the Language Classroom with Maureen Lamb Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign up f...

#47 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 8 on communication modes and episode 12 on proficiency levels. Listen to the episodes: Episode #8: Communication Modes Episode #12: Proficiency Levels  Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign up for Talking Points, my weekly newsletter with tips, tools an...

#46 In this episode I want to talk to you about what the podcast will look like over the summer. Like many of you, I will be on my summer break from school in the US.  I don't want to go away from you for 6-8 weeks, but also understand that you need some time to recharge. Over the summer I will publish a "Summer Headspace" episode every Monday.   What is Summer Headspace and how wha...

#45 In this episode I talk about how you can take in and use the information that you hear on this podcast without feeling overwhelmed.  So far there have been 30 guests and 15 solo episodes and it can sometimes feel like a lot to digest. I offer up some ideas to sift through and figure out what will be most useful to you personally and how you can actually do it when you likely have so much else...

#44 In this episode we talk about dual immersion programs.  You may be wondering what the difference is between immersion and dual immersion? Francesco Fratto joins me today to clarify and talk us through the process he and his district went though to implement their program.  Francesco is the Director of World Languages, Language Immersion & English as a New Language in Herricks Public School...

#43 In this episode we talk about the effectiveness of providing students with choice in the language classroom.  Why should we consider this?  What does it look like in practice?  Maureen Lamb, a Latin and Ancient Greek teacher in West Hartford, CT, joins me to talk through the logistics and benefits of student choice in their language learning. Maureen speaks about: what led her to look into mak...

#42 In this episode we talk about creating LGBTQ+ inclusive classrooms and curriculum.  While this is certainly beneficial to our students that identify as LGBTQ+, inclusive classrooms and curriculum benefit all students.  Joseph Parodi-Brown, a Spanish teacher in Connecticut, has done extensive research in this area and puts it into practice in his classroom.  He joins us to offer insights and su...

#41 In this episode I talk about the ideas of practice and communication in the language classroom.  Sometimes what we think is authentic communication in the language is actually just practicing structures and vocabulary.  Is there a place for practice or should it always be focused on communication?  I take on these concepts with suggestions for what this can look like in you classroom. I speak...

#40 In this episode we talk about the concept of Microinstruction. This approach is being applied in general education contexts, but we we speak about how it can be used specifically in the language classroom.  I'm joined by Lindsay Mitchell, a Spanish teacher in New Hampshire, who talks about her own personal experience and success with Microinstruction. Lindsay speaks about: the skill set f...

#39 If you listed to episode 19 with Trudy Anderson you heard her talk about using Jessica Haxhi's acronym M.A.G.I.C. in the language classroom.  This stands for M ovement, A uthentic Resources, G ames, I nteraction and C ommunication. The focus on this episode is games.  I speak with Kevin Quigley, a French and Spanish teacher in Vermont, and he shares several low-prep target languages games...

#38 In this episode we talk about engaging early language learners, with a particular focus on comprehensible input.  Even if you are a middle or high school teacher you will surely learn a lot from Carolina Gómez, my guest on this episode.  Carolina is Spanish teacher in Massachusetts and she walks us through planning and procedures that authentically engage learners with compelling, meaningful a...

#37 In this episode we talk about grading.  More specifically, how we can grade based on what students are able to do in and with the target language.  This requires a bit of a shift in thinking and approach, especially when coming from more traditional grading.  I'm joined by Ursula Askins-Huber, a Spanish teacher in New Hampshire, who has been teaching for over 30 years.  She helps us to se...

#36 This episode is volume 2 in the Teacher Toolbox series.  In these "Go-To Activities for Your Teacher Toolbox" episodes you will hear suggestions for go-to activities and games that can be easily modified for any language or proficiency level. Activities: Who is our guest?  What is it?  Where are we? (Bitmoji Classroom) Who has it? Chat Stations Zut/Caramba Connect with Joshua and the...

#35 This is the second part of an extended episode on using technology in language learning.  Joe Dale continues the discussion about technology tools and resources to support students in the language classroom. Joe Dale is a language consultant from the UK who works with a range of organizations such as Network for Languages, the BBC, Skype, Microsoft and The Guardian. He is a regular conference...

#34 This is the first of a two-part episode on using technology in language learning.  Joe Dale joins me to talk about technology tools and resources to support students in the language classroom. Joe Dale is a language consultant from the UK who works with a range of organizations such as Network for Languages, the BBC, Skype, Microsoft and The Guardian. He is a regular conference speaker and rec...

#33 In this episode we discuss the Learning For Justice Social Justice Standards, incredibly necessary topics in the language classroom.  One of the biggest hurdles is addressing the topics of Identify, Diversity, Justice and Action in the target language.  We do not have to put our language objectives aside when these topics come up.  We can integrate them into our Can Do's.  Cécile Lainé, a...

#32 Where does the whole concept and idea behind Comprehensible Input (CI) come from?  In this episode I walk you through Stephen Krashen's Input Hypothesis that is part of his theory of second language acquisition that he calls the Monitor Model.  Krashen's Input Hypothesis is the origin of what what we are doing with Comprehensible Input today. What Is Comprehensible Input? Comprehensi...

#31 In this episode we talk about movie and picture talks in the language classroom.  This a popular and effective Comprehensible Input (CI) procedure that uses visual story-telling.  This process helps students to acquire and reenforce vocabulary and language structures in context.  Sarah Moghtader, a French in Massachusetts,  joins me to talk us through the benefits of picture and movie talks an...

#30 In this episode we talk all about using music in the language classroom.  I'm joined by Allison Wienhold, a Spanish Teacher in Iowa, who speaks about the numerous benefits of music in our language classrooms. Allison speaks about: the value and benefits of using music in the language classroom the flexibility of using music, from a few “quick wins” to diving into culture and representatio...

#29 As teachers, and proficient second language speakers,  we have figured out ways to communicate words that we don’t know. We can teach this skill to students early on so that they can begin doing it right away.  Circumlocution is a strategy for describing or defining a concept instead of saying or writing the specific words (when we don't know it). We can teach students how to do this and...

#27 In this episode we look at what world language curriculum has included and what has been left out, with a critical eye on diverse ethnicities and voices.  I'm joined by Ben Tinsley, a French teacher in Philadelphia.  He guides us through his own language learning journey as a Black student and how he did not see himself and the Afro-Black-Caribbean experience reflected in his language lea...

#26 In this episode we are take on the question that we often get from students..."Why are we learning this?"  Ryan Smith joins me to talk about how language teachers can infuse the idea of language learning as an essential skill when preparing students to be ready for college and careers.  Ryan points how many useful communication skills that are developed and honed in the language clas...

#25 This episode is the first in a series of episodes that I will publish 4-5 times a year.  In these "Go-To Activities for Your Teacher Toolbox" episodes you will hear suggestions for go-to activities and games that require little-to-no prep and can be easily modified for any language or proficiency level. Why Games and Activities : useful teaching and learning tool particularly useful...

#24 In this episode we look at how we structure our world language classrooms. How can we redesign our classrooms so that they are more communicative and support risk-taking, promote community, and help students rise in proficiency?  I'm joined by Darcy Rogers, Spanish Teacher and founder of OWL (Organic World Language), who helps us all re-envision what our classroom can be. Darcy speaks abo...