World Language Classroom

#23 In this episode we take on the question of online translator.  Like most teachers, you probably have experience with students resorting to using them.  But, what do we do about it?  They seem to be here to stay, so we need to figure it out. I'm joined Bertha Delgadillo, a Spanish teacher in Georgia, who is well known for her work with acquisition driven instruction.  She helps us to under...

In this episode we are talking about 90%+ target language use in the classroom.  We start with where this comes from and why we want to do it, then I ask 4 questions about what is happening in your classroom.  These questions will help to focus on some of the challenge areas and I provide some ways to address them. Q1: Are prompts and tasks at the appropriate proficiency level? Q2. Do students hav...

#21 In this episode we unpack the 5 C': C ommunication, C ultures, C onnections, C omparisons, and C ommunities,  I am joined by Dr. Catherine Ritz who walks us through what exactly the 5 C's are and the benefits of using them in our language classrooms. Catherine speaks about: the World Readiness Standards and their relationship to the 5 C’s what the 5 C’s are with an example of what ea...

#20 In this episode we talk about rubrics, not just as an assessment tool, but also as a way to help students grow in proficiency. I'm joined by Beckie Bray Rankin, a high school French Teacher in Massachusetts, who has presented widely on the topic of rubrics...or, as she refers to them, the "thingamabob that does the job." Beckie talks about: what pre-rubric teaching was like how...

#19 In this episode we are talking about using centers (or stations) in the language classroom.  I am joined by Trudy Anderson, a teacher with considerable experience with designing and implementing centers. Trudy guides us in understanding... if centers are for useful for all levels and students why we should consider stations how to  set up centers types of stations materials and where to get th...

In this episode we are talking all about student motivation in the language classroom.  Where does it come from?  How can we motivate students?  [ sign up for Talking Points ] I'm joined by Tracy E. Rucker, a widely respected and insightful French teacher, who walks us through his personal experience with student motivation and offers some actionable advice for all language teachers. Tracy ta...

#18 In this episode we are talking about Can Do Statements.  Are yours truly communicative and proficiency-based, allowing students to show what they can do with the language? We discuss: what the ACTFL Can Do Statements are and why they were created the Intercultural Can Do Statements how to write an effective Can Do Statement that is rooted in the proficiency level of your class what makes a Can...

In this episode we are talking about the relationship between those who do the research on teaching and learning language and those who teach  in the classroom.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] What can teachers take from research findings and use in their classroom?   What if the students in front of us are different (almost always the case) from those used in the study? What can researchers do to...

In this episode we talk about stories in the language classroom.  Stories provide opportunities to see and interpret words and structures in context.  There are numerous opportunities to engage with the text in all of the communication modes.  Additionally, students learn about different cultures and can also see themselves reflected in the story.  This form of representation is incredibly valuabl...

In this episode we are talking about textbooks.  Some of us use them, some of us don't.  Maybe you are required to use one and maybe it's a choice.  Wherever you are with textbooks there's a place for you in this conversation.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] I am joined by Timothy Chavez, a Millennial Teacher, who, as you will hear, is part of a generation of students that were &quo...

In this episode we talk all about comprehensible input (CI), which you will see is a useful approach in teaching and learning any language. [ sign up for Talking Points ] I am joined by John Bracey, a Latin teacher, who uses CI very effectively with his students.  He also makes a strong case for all teachers to try out CI, including Latin teachers. John speaks about... his journey with CI and how...

In this episode I walk through the ACTFL Proficiency Levels and Performance Descriptors. [ sign up for Talking Points ] Topics: What they are How  they are used in teaching and learning How they are designed How they are organized What each proficiency level involves Breakdown of Interpersonal Proficiency Levels How to use Proficiency Levels (Performance Descriptors) in the classroom Blog posts:  ...

In this episode we talk about Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) in the in language classroom. [ sign up for Talking Points ] I am joined by Jade Greene, a high school teacher in North Carolina, who helps us understand the benefits of reading in the target language and how to set up FVR in our language classrooms. Jade speaks about... the primary benefits of promoting a culture of reading in the languag...

In this episode we talk about equity in the in language classroom, but it's really about equity in any classroom.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] I am joined by A.C. Quintero who helps us to understand the importance of creating a classroom and student experience that moves beyond equality and focuses on an authentic equity. A.C. speaks about... what students “bring” to the classroom that lan...

In this episode we talk about grammar.  This is always a hot topic in language teaching with lots of questions about how (or even if) we should do it.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] I am joined by Mike Travers, a teacher in Massachusetts, who has presented on this topic many times at teacher conferences, having been named "Best of Conference."  So, who better to help with this conversat...

In this episode I discuss the communication modes, including a look back at the legacy teaching focused on the 4 skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Then moving into the arrival of the Communication Modes, which don’t erase the skills, but rather put them into a communicative context.   [ sign up for Talking Points ] The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines put communication into these cat...

In this episode we talk about how essential positive teacher-student relationships are, particularly when we want our students to feel valued, comfortable and motivated to speak the target language.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] I am joined by Ebony Thornton, a teacher in Georgia, who speaks about... relationships with her own teachers and those that influenced her student-teacher relationships...

In this episode we talk about supporting new language teachers in your department.  If you are an administrator, a new teacher, or a colleague with new department members there is a place for you to jump into this conversation.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] I am joined by William Anderson,  who leads a district program with 9 schools and over 40 teachers in the language department.   William spe...

In this episode I speak with Katya Hottenstein.  She and I used to work together and we both started our journey toward teaching toward proficiency around the same time.  Katya shares her insights and experience embracing proficiency as her goals in the classroom. [ sign up for Talking Points ] She speaks specifically about... her first few years of teaching before embracing proficiency as a goal...

In this episode I take on the topic of communicative language teaching (CLT).  What is it exactly and how do we teach communicatively? [ sign up for Talking Points ] Topics: CLT is an approach and not a method. Difference between an approach and a method?   Bill VanPatten's description of  CLT. The role of input. The role of output. The communicative classroom: student-centered students creat...

In this episode we look at what language teaching  looked like in the past and what it looks like now.  We get into specific methods that were based on Behaviorism and Innatism along with what teaching looks like now in the communicative classroom.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] Topics: Audio-Lingual Method Suggestopedia Silent Way The Natural Approach Communicative Competence TPR TPRS  CI  OWL ...

In this episode I discuss 3 major approaches to language teaching of the past 50+ years.  It's helpful to understand where it all started and how we arrived at the communicative teaching practices that we employ in our classroom.  [ sign up for Talking Points ] Sometimes we need to look to the past to fully understand how to got to where we are now. Find out  about: Behaviorism ; Pavlov, Skin...

Listen to what is in store for you when you listen to the World Language Classroom podcast with Joshua Cabral. [ sign up for Talking Points ] Tips, tools and insights to help your students grow in language proficiency and communicate with confidence.  Based in research, but put into action in the classroom.  You'll hear from Joshua as well as other language teachers who share insights and les...

I share my educational background  and teaching experience of the past 25 years.  This helps to give you a better understanding of where I'm coming from and what has contributed to my teaching approach. [ sign up for Talking Points ] You'll also get a solid picture of what this podcast will offer you and what you can expect in each episode. Sign up for Talking Points, my weekly newslette...