World Language Classroom

#58 This episode was recored live during the National Foreign Language Center's Virtual Summit.  Ben Tinsley, a French teacher in Pennsylvania, joins me to talk about equitable feedback in the language classroom.  We all know how essential feedback is for students in their language learning process, but does feedback look the same for all students.  Ben Tinsley provides insights along with ac...

#57 In this episode I’m beginning my series on exploring Common Ground: Second Language Acquisition Theory Goes to the Classroom by Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins. There will be 5 episodes total between now and the end of October.  Today we take a general look at why this book, why now, why I am such a fan.  Topics in the episode: Why this book? Why now?  Why I’m a fan of Florencia Henshaw an...

#56 In this episode we look at planning in the language classroom.  Whether it is for an entire year, a particular unit or even an individual lesson, backwards design and planning is quite effective.  It also helps to ensure that we are focusing on all of the modes and that our ultimate goals are for students to do something with the target language vocabulary, structures and themes that they are...

#55 After an exciting and productive summer I am back with new episodes of the World Language Classroom podcast.  In this episode We will talk about setting the tone for the school year along with some ideas for getting to know your students and beginning to build a sense of community in the classroom. I also speak about what I have been up to this summer and what you can expect for this school ye...

#54 This is the last episode in Summer Headspace series. I revisit episodes 25 and 36. These are the 2 Teacher Toolbox episodes where I give you low (and mostly no) prep activities for your language classroom. Listen to the episodes: Episode #25: Go-To Activities for Your Teacher Toolbox (Vol 1)  Episode #36: Go-To Activities for Your Teacher Toolbox (Vol 2)  Work with Joshua either in person or r...

#53 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 14 with Timothy Chávez, who talks about using textbooks in the language classroom and episode 23 with Bertha Delgadillo who speaks about online translators. Listen to the episodes: Episode #14: Textbooks with Timothy Chávez Episode #23: Online Translators with Bertha Delgadillo Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign...

#52 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 30 with Alison Weinhold,who talks about using music in the language classroom and episode  31 with Sarah Moghtader who speaks about doing movie and picture talks. Listen to the episodes: Episode #30: Music in the Classroom with Alison Weinhold Episode #31: Movie and Picture Talks with Sarah Moghtader Work with Joshua either in pe...

#51 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 32 on Krashen's Input Hypothesis and episode 13 on teaching with Comprehensible Input. Listen to the episodes: Episode #32: The Origins of CI: Krashen's Input Hypothesis  Episode #13: Dive Into Comprehensible Input with John Bracey Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign up for Talking Points, my weekly new...

#50 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 27 on Diversifying the Language Curriculum and episode 33 on Integrating Can Do Statements and the Social Justice Standards. Listen to the Episodes: Episode 27: Diversifying the Language Curriculum with Ben Tinsley Episode 33: Integrating Can Do Statements and the Social Justice Standards with Cécile Lainé Work with Joshua either...

#49 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 20 on Rubrics and episode 37 on Competency-Based Grading. Listen to the episodes: Episode #20:  Effective Rubrics with Beckie Bray Rankin Episode #37: Competency-Based Grading with Ursula Askins-Huber Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign up for Talking Points, my weekly newsletter with tips, tools and resources fo...

#48 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 17 on motivation and episode 43 on student choice. Listen to the episodes: Episode #17: Increasing Student Motivation with Tracy E. Rucker Episode #43: Student Choice in the Language Classroom with Maureen Lamb Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign up f...

#47 In this episode of the Summer Headspace series I revisit episode 8 on communication modes and episode 12 on proficiency levels. Listen to the episodes: Episode #8: Communication Modes Episode #12: Proficiency Levels  Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community Work with Joshua either in person or remotely . Sign up for Talking Points, my weekly newsletter with tips, tools an...

#46 In this episode I want to talk to you about what the podcast will look like over the summer. Like many of you, I will be on my summer break from school in the US.  I don't want to go away from you for 6-8 weeks, but also understand that you need some time to recharge. Over the summer I will publish a "Summer Headspace" episode every Monday.   What is Summer Headspace and how wha...

#45 In this episode I talk about how you can take in and use the information that you hear on this podcast without feeling overwhelmed.  So far there have been 30 guests and 15 solo episodes and it can sometimes feel like a lot to digest. I offer up some ideas to sift through and figure out what will be most useful to you personally and how you can actually do it when you likely have so much else...

#44 In this episode we talk about dual immersion programs.  You may be wondering what the difference is between immersion and dual immersion? Francesco Fratto joins me today to clarify and talk us through the process he and his district went though to implement their program.  Francesco is the Director of World Languages, Language Immersion & English as a New Language in Herricks Public School...

#43 In this episode we talk about the effectiveness of providing students with choice in the language classroom.  Why should we consider this?  What does it look like in practice?  Maureen Lamb, a Latin and Ancient Greek teacher in West Hartford, CT, joins me to talk through the logistics and benefits of student choice in their language learning. Maureen speaks about: what led her to look into mak...

#42 In this episode we talk about creating LGBTQ+ inclusive classrooms and curriculum.  While this is certainly beneficial to our students that identify as LGBTQ+, inclusive classrooms and curriculum benefit all students.  Joseph Parodi-Brown, a Spanish teacher in Connecticut, has done extensive research in this area and puts it into practice in his classroom.  He joins us to offer insights and su...

#41 In this episode I talk about the ideas of practice and communication in the language classroom.  Sometimes what we think is authentic communication in the language is actually just practicing structures and vocabulary.  Is there a place for practice or should it always be focused on communication?  I take on these concepts with suggestions for what this can look like in you classroom. I speak...

#40 In this episode we talk about the concept of Microinstruction. This approach is being applied in general education contexts, but we we speak about how it can be used specifically in the language classroom.  I'm joined by Lindsay Mitchell, a Spanish teacher in New Hampshire, who talks about her own personal experience and success with Microinstruction. Lindsay speaks about: the skill set f...

#39 If you listed to episode 19 with Trudy Anderson you heard her talk about using Jessica Haxhi's acronym M.A.G.I.C. in the language classroom.  This stands for M ovement, A uthentic Resources, G ames, I nteraction and C ommunication. The focus on this episode is games.  I speak with Kevin Quigley, a French and Spanish teacher in Vermont, and he shares several low-prep target languages games...

#38 In this episode we talk about engaging early language learners, with a particular focus on comprehensible input.  Even if you are a middle or high school teacher you will surely learn a lot from Carolina Gómez, my guest on this episode.  Carolina is Spanish teacher in Massachusetts and she walks us through planning and procedures that authentically engage learners with compelling, meaningful a...

#37 In this episode we talk about grading.  More specifically, how we can grade based on what students are able to do in and with the target language.  This requires a bit of a shift in thinking and approach, especially when coming from more traditional grading.  I'm joined by Ursula Askins-Huber, a Spanish teacher in New Hampshire, who has been teaching for over 30 years.  She helps us to se...

#36 This episode is volume 2 in the Teacher Toolbox series.  In these "Go-To Activities for Your Teacher Toolbox" episodes you will hear suggestions for go-to activities and games that can be easily modified for any language or proficiency level. Activities: Who is our guest?  What is it?  Where are we? (Bitmoji Classroom) Who has it? Chat Stations Zut/Caramba Connect with Joshua and the...

#35 This is the second part of an extended episode on using technology in language learning.  Joe Dale continues the discussion about technology tools and resources to support students in the language classroom. Joe Dale is a language consultant from the UK who works with a range of organizations such as Network for Languages, the BBC, Skype, Microsoft and The Guardian. He is a regular conference...

#34 This is the first of a two-part episode on using technology in language learning.  Joe Dale joins me to talk about technology tools and resources to support students in the language classroom. Joe Dale is a language consultant from the UK who works with a range of organizations such as Network for Languages, the BBC, Skype, Microsoft and The Guardian. He is a regular conference speaker and rec...