World Language Classroom

#83 How do you, your department or school support and integrate students with learning disabilities into your language program? In this episode, we are talking about teaching all students, with a particular focus on students with learning disabilities.  I’m joined by Danja Mahoney, a Latin and Spanish teacher in Massachusetts, who has done extensive research on this topic.  She is here to speak ab...

#82 Could you use a few new ideas to reinvigorate the energy and productivity in your classroom? In this episode, you will get lots of new ideas and suggestions for authentically engaging your students in their language learning.  I’m joined by 2 teachers in New York. Spanish teacher Wendy Mercado and French teacher Valérie Greer. Topics in this Episode: the essential benefits of authentic engagem...

#81 What’s the first thing students do when they enter your classroom and the last thing they do before they leave? In this episode we look at Do Nows and Exit Tickets and how they can be very effective ways of setting up the class for the day and providing quick formative assessments and recaps of the class objectives.  Yes, you’ll hear some reasons that support both, but you’ll also get some qui...

#80 Where would you say that you are on the path toward teaching for proficiency?  In this episode, we look at the Roadmap to Proficiency framework. This is the framework that Devon Gunning (from La Libre Language Learning ) uses as she mentors teachers working toward the goal of teaching with a proficiency objective. Devon joins me today to help us all see where we are on the roadmap with guidanc...

#79 Have you tried a Write and Discuss in your classroom?  Are you hearing about this procedure for the first time?  No worries if it is, because in this episode, Ben Fisher-Rodrigues, a German teacher in Washington, joins me to talk about the benefits and logistics involved in implementing Write and Discuss as part of Comprehension-Based Communicative Language Teaching. Topics in this Episode: Co...

#78 What is culture and how do you engage your students in cultural topics?  In this episode, we are looking at culture, but with a lens of seeing, hearing and tasting so that culture comes alive for students in the classroom.  Allison Perryman, a Spanish teacher in Virginia, joins me to talk us through how she uses the senses to engage students in the diversity of target language cultures. We als...

#77 How often do we stop to reflect on our teaching?  Hopefully we take the time and opportunity to do it regularly so that we are teaching our students as effectively as possible.  In this episode I’m going to talk about reflective practice and how we can use this as language teachers.  I’ll also include a discussion of success criteria and how this can work into our reflective practice.  I know,...

#76 Are you getting the most out of the interpersonal activities that you use in your classroom?   In this episode, THE Meredith White, a Spanish teacher in Georgia, joins me with lots of ideas for interpersonal activities that you can use right away in your classroom.  So many of my guests have mentioned Meredith White and the activities that she shares. I had to get right to the source …So let&a...

#75 In this episode I want to give you a preview of what is coming up this winter and spring on the World Language Classroom Podcast.  The themes I will personally cover as well as the guests and topics that I have lined up to share with all of you.  I am incredibly honored and appreciate each and every guest’s willingness to share with me and the World Language Classroom Podcast community.  Can&a...

#74 Are you a member of your state language association?  Do you know what might be available to language teachers in your state? In this episode, Jenny-Lynn Delfini and Mike Mitchell highlight the work of state associations for language teachers.  Jenny was the 2022 president and Mike is the executive director of NYSAFLT, the New York State Association of Language Teachers. If you’re not a member...

#73 Have you read Common Ground yet?  This book by Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins has been widely used by many educators in the language teacher community.  This week's episode is a rebroadcast of my first episode in the series that I devoted to the book in October. I’m sharing it again with the reminder that you have a few weeks left (end of December 2022) to get your own copy of Common...

#72 What does it mean to “teach” a language? In this episode I look at this question, particularly considering the shifts in language teaching and learning over the past 10 years or so. My approach to this question is grounded in a quote from Larson-Freeman and Long that a professor shared with me in graduate school. It continues to guide my approach to teaching.  "[It is not] because some pl...

#71 In this episode I’m taking on the question of leveling up.  We often talk about proficiency levels and the output that goes along with each level.  We’ll take a look at some concrete examples of language produced at each level and I’ll share some suggestions for how we can support students in leveling up their language.  Topics in This Episode: The ACTFL Proficiency Levels (Interpersonal) Novi...

#70 In this episode, we are talking about how we can create a supportive classroom environment so that learners, particularly those new to language learning, feel comfortable speaking the target language.  Julie Baker, The Director of the French Intensive Language Program at the University of Richmond,  joins me to take this a step further with simple ways of modifying speaking activities that we...

#69 This is the third 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 another 4 activities to share with you. Activities...

#68 In this episode, we are talking about skill building and how we can help guide students in moving beyond content mastery and using all that vocabulary and those language structures to communicate.  Andrea Isabelli, a French teacher in Illinois, joins me to talk about how she supports communicative skill development with her students. Topics include: Transatlantic Educators Dialogue Program (TE...

#67 In this episode I’m taking the idea of input a little further.  Most of us are on board and understand the importance of making input comprehensible for students.  But, how can we check that the language is actually being understood by students? Because if they’re not understanding they’re not acquiring. I’ll share tips for checking for understanding and what to do with the info we get. Topics...

#66 This is part 2 of my conversion with Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins, the authors of Common Ground: Second Language Acquisition Theory Goes to the Classroom . We had so much to cover that I had to break it down into 2 episodes. Today, Florencia, Maris and I discuss engaging the communication modes at different developmental levels, moving from input to output, particularly when working wit...

#65 These are the episodes that we have been waiting for. The  first of a 2-part conversion with Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins, the authors of Common Ground: Second Language Acquisition Theory Goes to the Classroom . We had so much to cover that I had to break it down into 2 episodes.  This is the first part and next Monday (episode 66) you will hear part 2. Today, Florencia, Maris and I dis...

#64 In this episode, we’re talking about inspiring and sparking enthusiasm in our students.  Katie Acosta and Amy Haney, Spanish teachers in Ohio,  join me today to explore this topic.  Their blog, sparkenthusiasm.com , is dedicated to building student excitement and genuine interest in the language classroom. Topics include: the benefits of positive energy in the classroom, both from a student an...

#63 In this episode we look at input and output. These two simple words can appear simple, but there is a lot to explore when it comes to what they actually look like in the classroom. This is the fourth of 5 episodes dedicated to the book Common Ground: Second Language Acquisition Theory Goes to the Classroom by Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins. In two weeks you will hear the final episode of...

#62 In this episode, we talk about pacing in our language classrooms.  How do we determine the amount of time that students should spend on particular activities? Part of this involves when and how to use Brain Breaks.  Fadi Aboughoush, an Arabic teacher in Chicago, has a wealth of information and ideas on this topic.  Topics include: class structure and pacing and why it is important to plan in a...

#61 In this episode we look at goals, and assessment of those goals, in teaching and learning language.  This is the third of 5 episodes dedicated to the book Common Ground: Second Language Acquisition Theory Goes to the Classroom by Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins. Actionable insights and takeaways that you can use right away as you set goals for your students and create the assessments that...

#60 In this episode we discuss building and leading a proficiency-based language department.  Tim Eagan, the 6-12 Department Head of World Languages in Wellesley, MA, joins me to talk about his experience leading his department through the process of embracing proficiency. Topics in the episode: contemporary and emerging research and the shift in approach and expectations. what collaboration looks...

#59 In this episode we look at the guiding principles and fundamentals of language acquisition and how they should influence our teaching.  This is the second episode dedicated to the book Common Ground: Second Language Acquisition Theory Goes to the Classroom by Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins.  They are very effective at laying out the fundamentals of SLA, and it is essential that we underst...