Language Lounge

In this episode of the Language Lounge, Michelle Olah and Linda Markley talk about what it means to “advocate” for languages not only during the annual JNCL-NCLIS Language Advocacy Days, but all year. Everyone is an advocate for languages, whether it is in your classroom with your students, in your school, in your community or on the State or National level.   Visit the Language Lounge on Twi...

In this episode, Michelle talks with educator Maureen Lamb about how she is using blended and hybrid learning techniques to navigate the current teaching reality of many educators - high student absentee rates, substitutes shortages, and rapid shifts from face to face to virtual instruction. Maureen shares some tools and strategies that are helping her and her students cope in this ever-changing e...

In this episode, Michelle and 2021 Embassy of Spain's Teacher of the Year, Iván Sabau Torrelo, talks about how he makes learning fun in his Spanish immersion classroom by using interdisciplinary, inquiry-based projects and gaming. Iván shares some innovative ways that he connects with students and gets them excited about the content they are learning. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloun...

In this episode of the Language Lounge Michelle talks with UK Independent modern foreign languages & technology consultant, Joe Dale. Michelle and Joe talk about some of the ways that world language educators around the world have come together to share best teaching practices and support each other since the start of the pandemic and Joe shares some powerful technology tools that can positive...

TJ is a passionate advocate for Heritage speakers and it was a pleasure talking to him about the strengths that these students bring into our language classrooms and how teachers can support these students when they may not have training or experience in this field. Please join the conversation on Twitter by tagging @langloungepod @michelleolah @ProfeTeeJay and let us know how you celebrate and su...

In this episode Michelle talks to Elena Spathis, FLENJ 2021 Teacher of the Year, about some leadership qualities that are important to her and support her continued growth as a world language educator. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle @michelleolah - https://twitter.com/michelleolah Connect with Elena @elenaspathis - http...

In this episode of the Language Lounge, Michelle gives 7 tips on how we can make the most out of virtual conferences, including ACTFL Virtual 2021. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle @michelleolah - https://twitter.com/michelleolah Have a comment or question? Leave a voicemail at (207) 888-9819 or email podcast@wayside...

In this episode of the Language Lounge, Michelle talks with Joseph Parodi-Brown about how we can make our language classrooms inclusive. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle @michelleolah - https://twitter.com/michelleolah Connect with Joseph @jparodi1201 - https://twitter.com/jparodi1201 Have a comment or question? Leave a v...

Michelle Olah talks with Leslie Grahn about how teachers can reach Generation Z learners by designing real-world, relevant tasks that engage and motivate the students in our classrooms. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle @michelleolah - https://twitter.com/michelleolah Connect with Leslie @grahnforlang - https://twitter.com...

In this episode of the Language Lounge, Michelle talks research and high leverage teaching practices with Alissa Farias. Michelle and Alissa discuss how after an unprecedented time in education with disruptions in student learning, we need to “double down” on the effective teaching strategies that research has shown have the greatest effect on student learning. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter...

Michelle Olah talks to Greta Lundgaard about how teachers can “park the helicopter” in order to allow students to take more responsibility for their language learning and develop the skills and confidence they will need when they are speaking the language out in the real world. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle @michelleol...

Michelle Olah talks to Ryan Smith about how we as world language educators, stakeholders and advocates can remove both individual and institutional barriers so that all students can have access to the benefits of learning another language. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle @michelleolah - https://twitter.com/michelleolah H...

In this episode Michelle talks with Meredith White about how language teachers can articulate and advocate for the support they need at various stages in their careers and why it is important to both find a mentor and be a mentor in order to continue learning and growing as world language educators. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect wit...

In this episode of the Language Lounge, Catherine shares some of her takeaways from her experience at CLTA’s Summer Seminar “The Socially Just World Language Classroom: Social-Emotional Learning and Framework-Aligned Practices” and talks about how world language educators can support each other in our personal and professional journeys to create more socially just classrooms for our students. Visi...

In this episode, Michelle talks to French teacher, Beckie Rankin, about the evolution in her grading practices as she transitioned her classroom instruction to one that is focused on proficiency. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle @michelleolah - https://twitter.com/michelleolah Have a comment or question? Leave a voicemail...

Michelle Olah talks with 2019 ACTFL teacher of the year, Rebecca Aubrey. Rebecca talks about some of the important ideas that she is thinking about as she redesigns her curriculum from scratch - including incorporating trauma informed instruction, being more culturally responsive and ways to make language learning accessible to ALL learners. Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter @langloungepod - ht...

Michelle Olah chats with intentional teacher Carmen Scoggins. Carmen reminds us that developing positive relationships with students and “speaking student” is important for not only students' mental and emotional health, but that positive relationships are critical to students' academic achievement as well. As teachers head into classrooms this year, some for the first time, it is more important t...