World Language Classroom

#124 The new year brings on thoughts of trying out something new.  However, the idea of trying something new or modifying your existing practices in the classroom is not always that easy. In this first of a two-part episode, we look at how small, sustainable, and consistent changes or modifications are more likely to stick, rather than attempting to overhaul everything. This week we focus on real...

#123 Are there topics that you avoid in the classroom?  Are there themes that come up and you’re not sure how to handle a potentially polarizing situation?  I’ve certainly been there myself and that’s when I turn to my guest today, Kent Lenci, who collaborates with schools as they work toward building a culture of civil discourse in their classrooms and communities. How often do we ask our languag...

#122 Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode. How do you implement IPAs effectively in your classroom? Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Judy, a German teacher in Illinois. Implementing IPA’s effectively is the area where wants to level up her teaching practice. Suggestions: Begin by incorporating IPAs in one unit or topic. This step-by-step approach allows...

#121 Have you used chat mats in your classroom? Even if you haven't, I'm sure that you have heard about this useful tool to support students.  Today, Christina Margiore,  a Spanish teacher on Long Island, New York, joins me to talk us through all the details involved with creating and using chat mats.  If you are using them already, you will get some new ideas for sure.  New to chat mats...

#120 What does participation look like in your classroom?  How can you make sure that all students are actively engaged and not just a few that have demeanors that lend themselves to speaking up regularly?  In this episode I speak with Timothy Chávez, a Spanish teacher in Massachusetts, who shares his suggestions and techniques for getting all students involved and participating in class.  We reco...

#119 This is the fifth teacher toolbox episode. I hear from listeners all the time that they like the actionable tips and suggestions for activities that they can use with students next week, or even tomorrow. That usually means effective and beneficial, but somewhat minimal prep. That’s what I bring you on these Teacher Toolbox episodes. I have lots to share with you. Sorry (not sorry), But They...

#118 Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode. Do you have to balance common assessments with your proficiency-focused classroom?  Is this a bit of a challenge when those common assessments are not all that focus on proficiency and communication? Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Lisa, a French teacher in Michigan. Balancing common district assessments in a P...

#117 How do you support your students through the process of getting them comfortable when it comes to speaking in the target language? On today’s episode I speak with Jamie Rodriquez, a Spanish teacher in Connecticut, who talks us through using guiding conversations to get students to that place of using the target language to speak not only comfortably, but confidently. Topics in this episode: w...

#116 Are you using AI tools like ChatGPT?  Do you know about all the other AI tools that are out there and can help support your teaching, your curriculum and save you time?  Today, Noemí Rodríguez, a Spanish teacher in New Jersey, has thrown herself into the AI world. She shares lots of resources and tells about all the incredibly helpful ways that we can leverage AI tools as language teachers. ...

#115 Do you have AP language classes in your program? When do you begin focusing on the linguistic and cultural competence skills that students will need to succeed at this level? A Pre-AP or a scaffolded approach to skills and content is beneficial in the language learning process, fostering critical skills and mindsets early on. Whether students pursue a language at an advanced or AP level or no...

#114 Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode. How do you approach writing with students, particularly at the very beginning of their language learning journey? Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Jenn, a middle school Spanish teacher in Illinois. Writing is the area where wants to level up her teaching practice. So let's start the conversation.  Suggestio...

#113 Have you listened to the last 2 episodes about Comprehension-Based Language Teaching and Standards-Based Grading? I referenced the book Honing Our Craft, World Language Teaching Today as I prepared those topics. In today’s episode I have the 2 editors of Honing Our Craft, Dr. Florencia Henshaw and Dr. Kim Potowski, who speak about their objectives behind this project, working through the cont...

#112 Are your assessments and grades in your classes a reflection of what students are able to do with the target language? Are the communication modes in there?  Are there parts of your grade that are based on compliance to rules and routines? In this episode I am going to look into what grading based on standards in a proficiency based classroom looks like.  And once again, luckily there is a ve...

#111 What have you heard about Comprehension-Based Communicative Language Teaching?  Is this what you are doing in your classroom?  In this episode I want to unpack exactly what CCLT is and is not. Luckily there is an incredibly useful chapter on this topic in the newly published book “Honing Our Craft.”  It gives us all the info we need to answer the question “What is and What Is not Comprehensio...

#110 Have you attended a conference specifically for language teachers, either locally, regionally or nationally.  If you have, this episode will get you excited about the upcoming conference season.  If you’ve never attended, you’ll be inspired to attend for sure. Danja Mahoney and Vilma Nasuti Bibeau, both members of their state language conference planning committee, join me to explore everythi...

#109 How do you plan out your individual classes and keep an eye on the pacing? Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Tamica, a Spanish teacher in New Jersey. Lesson planning with a close eye on timing and class pacing is the area where she wants to level up her teaching practice.  Dive in with us & take the ideas back to your classroom.  Suggestions: Develop a lesson plannin...

#108 We are back for a new school year. I asked you in the spring what you would like to get from this podcast. In this episode I’m excited to share with you how we will be changing up the podcast episodes (just a little) so that they are exactly what you are looking for and need as you approach your teaching.  Who is listening to the podcast?  Looks like you want 25-30 minute episodes All the top...

#107 This is episode 6 in my 2023 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 28th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at episodes 79 where Ben Fisher-Rodriguez shows how to do a Write and Discuss and episode 9...

#106 This is episode 5 in my 2023 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 28th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at episodes 78 where Meredith White shares lots of interpersonal activities and episode 82...

#105 This is episode 4 in my 2023 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 28th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at episodes 78 where Allison Perryman talks about seeing, hearing and tasting culture and e...

#104 This is episode 3 in my 2023 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 28th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at episodes 69 and 85, 2 of my Teacher Toolbox episodes with activity that you can use righ...

#103 This is episode 2 in my 2023 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 28th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at episodes 60 where Tin Eagan talks about leading a proficiency-based language department...

#102 This is episode 1 in my 2023 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 28th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at the  episodes about the book Common Ground. Episodes:  57: Why “Common Ground?” Why now?...

#101 Now that the school year is over hopefully you have a little less on your mind and have a little extra time. This is the perfect time to get into your summer headspace.  What do I mean by “Summer Headspace?” time to reflect without other pressing priorities and issues opportunity to revisit themes and episodes with a fresh lens catch something new. finish an episode that you started listen to...

#100 Guess what? This is episode 100 of the world language classroom podcast. I was watching data to see if we would get to 100 episodes first or 100,000 downloads. I’m happy to report that we crossed the 100,000 download mark well before this 100th episode.  So, thank you so much for your continued support of the podcast and the many guests who have joined me over the past 2 years.  In this episo...