Practical Proficiency Podcast

Send us Fan Mail I'm doing something different today and sharing my candid origin story as a language lover.  From early childhood immersion in Japan to a Dominican study abroad wake-up call, tracing how real-world input shaped my teaching style.  • early immersion in Japan shaping views on communication • choosing French to connect friends and stop exclusion • juggling French and Spanish and...

Send us Fan Mail This episode breaks down why transitioning from legacy methods to proficiency feels so hard, then maps practical, low-prep moves that make it sustainable and joyful. I name the common traps—misaligned assessments, training gaps, immersion shock—and share tools to protect your energy while students grow. • reframing the class as a skill, not a subject • what novice mid can really d...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a tool can write a passable Spanish 1 paragraph in six seconds? We took that provocation and built a practical roadmap for world language teachers who want less busywork and more human connection. From accent cleanup to comprehension‑friendly formatting, we walk through concrete AI prompts that shorten prep without flattening your voice. Then we go deeper into th...

Send us Fan Mail We push back on the myth that comprehensible input only works for charismatic teachers, and we reframe proficiency as a guiding philosophy rather than a single method. Practical, low-lift strategies take center stage to show how any teacher can build high-impact, student-centered classes. • defining proficiency as a north star for outcomes  • separating CI philosophy from specific...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck on the same unit while your elementary learners still “haven’t mastered it”? Let’s flip the script. We take a clear-eyed look at short, 25–30 minute language classes and show how cognitive load theory can make those minutes add up to real, joyful progress—without grinding through endless repetitions of the same theme. We break down intrinsic, extraneous, and germane...

Send us Fan Mail I answer a listener’s question about teaching vocabulary consistently by reframing every class as a vocabulary class that moves words through a three-stage continuum: introduce, recognize, produce. I share the science of binding, why stories beat lists, and how to keep scope tight so students actually acquire language. • binding as the foundation for sticky vocabulary • stories an...

Send us Fan Mail What if a 10-second ritual at your classroom door could boost target-language use, cut awkward silence, and build community—all at once? We walk through the “student password” routine step-by-step, from the first day you model it to the moment it becomes second nature. You’ll hear why this low-stress habit works for novice learners, how to adapt it for big classes and tight hallwa...

Send us Fan Mail We answer Sherry’s two-part question on engaging autistic learners in an ASL classroom and creating a sane, effective plan for frequent absences. We share concrete, low-lift strategies that center detail-focused questioning, visual supports, and input-replacement systems that actually work. • Detail-first prompts and either-or questions for autistic learners • Visual status cards...

Send us Fan Mail Asking students to speak in a new language can feel like asking them to step on stage without a script. We dig into why anxiety hits world language classrooms harder than most, then share nine practical ways to make participation feel safe, predictable, and—dare we say—enjoyable. Drawing on resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the International OCD Foundation, we...

Send us Fan Mail Grammar—the eternal battleground of language education. Is it the foundation of language learning or a distraction from real communication? In this eye-opening exploration, we cut through decades of misinformation to reveal what research actually shows about grammar's role in language acquisition. Drawing directly from ACTFL's guiding principles, we examine the surprisin...

Send us Fan Mail The proper role of grammar in proficiency-oriented instruction requires a mindset shift from traditional approaches to one that aligns with what research tells us about language acquisition. Watch the episode on youtube here: https://youtu.be/zo1ys4aCh5A • Grammar isn't driving your language program—it has the snacks while you decide the direction based on student proficiency...

Send us Fan Mail This is a special insider episode where you get to see what it's like to be a part of the Practical Proficiency Network! Join us for this amazing insider look and masterclass workshop on target language.  Find out more about the Practical Proficiency Network here: https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/join-practical-proficiency-network This workshop reveals 15 common m...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why teaching Spanish to middle schoolers requires such a unique approach? In this episode, we dive deep with Brooks from Sonrisas Spanish into the fascinating developmental sweet spot of middle school language learning. Brooks from Sonrisas Spanish is here today to chat all things middle school Spanish curriculum and classroom techniques like TPR Storytelling to prom...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt like the lone Spanish teacher on an island, wondering if everyone else has figured out the secret to effortless curriculum mapping? You're not alone. In this heartfelt conversation, veteran teacher Diane opens up about her 23-year journey teaching Spanish and the transformative power of finding professional community. Today, I have a very special guest for you - Dia...

Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of watching your language students cram for final exams only to forget everything a week later? It's time to revolutionize your assessment approach with something that actually measures what matters: what students can DO with the language they've acquired. Get the portfolio only available in the Practical Proficiency Curriculum here:  https://lalibrelanguag...

Send us Fan Mail The "And You" game transforms speaking practice in world language classrooms, helping students overcome anxiety while having fun with movement and authentic communication. • Based on a college orientation icebreaker game that needs minimal preparation • Students form a circle with placeholders, with one person in the middle making a statement • Anyone who shares that tra...

Send us Fan Mail Planning a world language unit doesn't have to be a solo mission - this episode offers a detailed walkthrough of teaching adverbs of frequency with a proficiency-oriented approach. I share my exact five-day plan for introducing, practicing, and assessing this grammar concept in a way that follows the natural language acquisition process. • Following the gradual release model...

Send us Fan Mail Language teachers everywhere face the same challenge: how do we create units that actually lead to acquisition instead of just memorization? The answer lies in understanding how our brains naturally process and store language. In this eye-opening episode, I break down the six-phase structure that every successful proficiency-based unit must follow. Starting with context-rich input...

Send us Fan Mail Patience trumps perfection when transitioning to proficiency-based language instruction, as veteran Spanish teacher Kia London reveals in this enlightening conversation about her journey teaching at a new school. With 19 years of experience across all grade levels K-12, Kia brings genuine wisdom about adjusting instructional pace to meet students where they are—without compromisin...

Send us Fan Mail The ability to describe people - both physically and by personality - isn't just another vocabulary list in your world language curriculum. It's a pivotal developmental milestone on your students' language journey, marking their transition from me-centered language to a broader world of expression. Devon Gunning breaks down why description skills serve as the defini...

Send us Fan Mail The moment a language student first connects with a native speaker is electric—that realization that "I can actually do this!" This transformative experience is precisely why students enroll in language classes, yet ironically, interpersonal communication often receives the least classroom time. Devon Gunning dives deep into this paradox, examining why speaking activitie...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the vibrant world of Carnaval! In this UNIT IDEAS mini-episode, we explore how this much-beloved celebration transcends mere festivities to become a powerful teaching tool for world language educators. Carnaval is not just a festival but a rich cultural phenomenon that allows students to connect with diverse traditions and identities.  From the historical origins of Carn...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to transform your language classroom with the power of music? Discover how Roxxem, an innovative platform co-founded by Shawn Lee, is changing the game for language educators. By turning popular songs into engaging lessons, Roxxem offers flexible resources that enhance student participation, improve listening skills, and deepen cultural understanding. From complete lesson pl...

Send us Fan Mail Strong relationships is the first and most essential foundation to a target-language rich world language classroom. Tune in to see my top 10 tips for classroom management and building student relationships specific to world language teachers!  Submit your question here Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here  Find out more and join the Prac...

Send us Fan Mail The Digigals, Jennifer and Theresa, have written a combined 120 novels for world language classes. Listen with us as the Digilangua creators, known as the Digigals in their dynamic duo, answer real community questions from the Practical Proficiency Network teachers about how to better use novels in the target language to promote literacy and acquisition in world language.  Check o...