In this special, we’re joined by an exceptional guest, Dr. Bill VanPatten. In this conversation, Dr. VanPatten shares with us the importance of acknowledging the undeniable role of input in language acquisition, the true nature of language, and the limitations of traditional instruction. Dr. VanPatten shares his insights on how language acquisition really unfolds and offers practical advice for language teachers seeking to foster genuine communication and growth in their students. Join us in this incredible episode! Key Takeaways: The role of input in language acquisition is a fact, not a hypothesis. Understanding the nature of language is crucial. Language development in learners cannot be measured with traditional assessments. Teachers should focus on interaction and communication as the core of language classes. Bio: Prof. VanPatten is widely known for his work in second language acquisition and second language instruction, with special emphases on input processing, processing and parsing more generally, the interface between input processing and acquisition, morpho-syntactic relationships, and instructed SLA. He has published eight books, eight edited volumes, six language textbooks (including the movies Sol y viento, Liaisons, and the tele series Destinos), and close to 200 articles and book chapters. In 2018 he left academia to pursue writing full-time. His debut novel, Seidon's Tale, was the recipient of the 2019 Kops-Fetherling International Books Silver Phoenix Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. His second novel, Looks Are Deceiving, received the bronze medal from the International Readers' Favorite Book Awards for LGBTQ fiction. He is currently working on his sixth novel. For more information, check out his personal website at http://www.billvanpatten.net ___________________________________________ More resources: Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

In Episode 86 of "Growing With Proficiency The Podcast," we had a powerful conversation with AC Quintero, a remarkable Spanish teacher, writer, presenter, trainer, and coach in language acquisition. In this conversation, we dove into the significance of free voluntary reading in the classroom, exploring how to make reading an engaging and meaningful experience for students of all levels. Alicia emphasized the importance of building a supportive community and understanding students' diverse relationships with reading before initiating free voluntary reading activities. Throughout the episode, we discussed the social benefits of reading, implemented engaging pre-activities, and shared practical strategies for fostering student engagement with reading materials. Alicia also provided valuable insights into her approach to teaching reading, including the incorporation of pre-loading essential literary vocabulary during discussions. Join us for a great conversation where we explore the power of free voluntary reading and its impact on students' language acquisition and cultural competence. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and tune in to this inspiring episode! A.C. Quintero is currently a Spanish Teacher at College Preparatory in Chicago, IL. She has 18 years of cumulative experience as an International Baccalaureate middle school teacher, high school teacher, and adjunct instructor. She holds a Master’s in Latin American Literature and Cultures coupled with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. These dual degrees have afforded her a vantage point from both ends of the educational spectrum. A.C. has been sharing her unique perspective on pedagogy and language acquisition for over ten years at national, regional and state conferences. She was most recently recognized by AATSP for her role in improving DEI initiatives for students. In addition to championing equity both inside and outside the classroom, A.C. is also an accomplished author. She has authored several compelling comprehensible novels such as La clase de confesiones, El escape, y Las apariencias engañan that allow students to solidify their language skills while experiencing a wide range of different cultures. AC Quintero TPT Store Books by AC Quintero AC Blog Upping the Ante: Free Voluntary Reading with Upper-Level Students How to set up your library for free: https://www.donorschoose.org/ https://educationfoundation.com/linksforteachers/classroom-grants/ Revista literal Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

En este episodio titulado "Voces Diversas y Representación en la Formación de Profesores de Lengua," tenemos el placer de contar con la presencia de Bertha Delgadillo. Juntas, exploramos la importancia crucial de incluir una amplia variedad de voces y perspectivas en el mundo de la enseñanza de idiomas. Reflexionamos sobre nuestras propias experiencias y antecedentes, y cómo estos tienen gran valor dentro de la comunidad docente. En esta conversación, reflexionamos sobre cuales fueron algunas limitaciones personales y externas que crearon dudas en nosotras al momento de incursionar en el liderazgo de la enseñanaza de docientes y que nos ayudó a enfrentar dichas limitaciones. También, exploramos acciones concretas que podemos emprender para fomentar una mayor diversidad de voces y cómo podemos apoyarnos mutuamente para promover esta diversidad en nuestra comunidad educativa. Finalmente, contemplamos medidas específicas que podemos implementar para asegurar una representación más amplia y equitativa en las formaciones de profesores de lengua. A través de este diálogo, junto a Bertha Delgadillo, aspiramos a encontrar un sentido de pertenencia y contribuir a un entorno educativo más inclusivo, enriqueciendo nuestro viaje de aprendizaje colectivo y creando un aula más enriquecedora para todos. Más recursos: Comunidad de Facebook: Growing With CI Comunidad de Profes de Español: Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Claudia en IG: @claudiamelliott Blog: Growing With Proficiency Bertha en IG: @profesoradelgadillo Blog de Bertha: profesoradelgadillo.com

Join us in this powerful conversation with Dr. Stephen Krashen, a renowned expert in the field of Second Language Acquisition. In this episode, Dr. Krashen shares his invaluable insights on the critical role of reading in language learning, the importance of compelling input, and the often-overlooked distinction between acquisition and learning. Main Highlights: The Role of Grammar: Discover Dr. Krashen's perspective on how grammar fits into the language acquisition puzzle and why it’s not the answer we’re looking for. Compelling Input: Learn what makes input compelling and why it's a game-changer in language acquisition. Acquisition vs. Learning: Uncover why the concept of acquisition and learning is still widely misunderstood and how this impacts language education. The Power of Reading: Find out why Dr. Krashen believes reading is the key to advancing in language acquisition, even more so than conversation. Click play, grab your favorite drink (even better if it's coffee), and enjoy this captivating conversation that might just redefine your approach to language acquisition. Resources and Links Mentioned: Dr. Stephen Krashen's Website Article: The Power of Reading (PDF) More resources. How to Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG Remember to subscribe to our podcast for more insightful episodes on language learning and teaching. If you found this episode valuable, please leave us a review and share it with your fellow language enthusiasts!

I love conferences, and this one was not the exception. SCOLT 24 was full of amazing sessions, incredible presenters, and outstanding conversations. In this episode, I will do my best to share with you some of my biggest takeaways. Key Highlights: Strategies to use your textbook as a guide on the side: Daily routine with Gallery Walk and Games of Consequences Games to add engagement: Cup Stacks and Seis Discussion activities: Discussion Diamond and Silent Discussion The significance of "Aha! moments" in language learning and how they contribute to deeper understanding. Also, if you haven’t already, download your teacher guide “How To Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach”. This guide is available in English and Spanish. Click here now! Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG Discussion Diamond Silent Discussion

Are you searching for a powerful low-prep activity that you can use in any of your classes? Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Ben Fisher Rodriguez, an exceptional Spanish and German teacher, who will share his insights on Card Talk. I must admit, I haven't utilized Card Talk much in my classes, usually only a few times a year. However, after this conversation with Ben, I'm convinced to incorporate it more frequently. Card Talk is a simple yet impactful activity where students respond to a prompt by drawing or using images, and the teacher uses those responses to deliver personalized, comprehensible input. Prepare to be amazed at how effortless and effective this activity can be. Key Points: A brief explanation of what Card Talk is and some of its benefits. Step-by-step instructions on how to implement Card Talk in class, either as a standalone lesson or as part of a unit. Tips for introducing Card Talk to your class for the first time. Strategies for adapting Card Talk to meet the varying needs of your students. Ideas for activities to follow up after a Card Talk session. Resources Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach >>> https://growingwithproficiency.com/teacherguide Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG Resources mentioned by our guest: Card Talk post with ideas for prompts and many videos: https://mrfishersays.com/card-talk-building-classroom-community-and-learning-about-your-students/ More Resources Write and Discuss post: https://mrfishersays.com/write-and-discuss-an-essential-literacy-activity-for-non-targeted-ci/ Mysterious Person https://mrfishersays.com/the-mysterious-person-a-community-building-review-game/ Quick Quiz https://mrfishersays.com/quick-quizzes-daily-assessments-that-build-confidence-and-success/ Ben Fisher-Rodriguez Bio Ben Fisher-Rodriguez is a high school German and Spanish teacher located in Seattle, WA. He has presented at national, regional, and local conferences on lesson planning, high-leverage teaching strategies, and issues of LGBTQ+ inclusion. Ben is a German Embassy Teacher of Excellence, the WAFLT TOY for 2022, and the PNCFL TOY for 2023. He blogs at MrFisherSays.com and is on Twitter @mrfishersays.

Si no has escuchado la primera parte de esta conversación, ve al episodio 79 para escuchar y después regresa a este. En esta segunda parte nos adentramos en la nueva metodología que la Dra. Alberta Gatti propone para apoyar el desarrollo de la competencia escrita de los estudiantes de herencia. Esta metodología tiene tres componentes: A. Lectura independiente, B. Análisis de Texto, C. Escritura independiente en el aula. Para el desarrollo de esa escritura independiente hay elementos pedagógicos importantes: Menos tareas escritas Permitir que los estudiantes escriban en clase Dar un objetivo específico para cada etapa de la escritura Dar retroalimentación inmediata Diferenciar los niveles de comp Recursos y enlaces mencionados: Investigating Pedagogies for Advanced Proficiency (IPAP) Project Creating Extended Scaffolded Writing Tasks for Heritage Speakers Genre in World Language Education by Francis J. Troyan Classroom Based Dialect Awareness in Heritage Language Instruction: A Critical Applied Linguistic Approach FB Community: Growing With CI Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG ¡Escucha el episodio completo para obtener más información y consejos prácticos!

Did you take a Second Language Teaching Methods class? I did. However, in that class, I didn't learn about comprehensible input or the nature of language, which are the essential foundations in Second Language Acquisition. That's why this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, I sit down with Elicia Cárdenas, the Director of Training at the Comprehensible Classroom, to talk about the essential principles of language acquisition that we should all know. Elicia talks about the fundamental nature of language, the complexities of teaching grammar in second language acquisition, and the significance of providing students with comprehensible input. She shares her journey of implementing acquisition-driven instruction in her class, leading to remarkable transformations in her students' language proficiency and engagement. Highlights> Understanding the essential foundations of second language acquisition. The importance of comprehensible input in language learning. Navigating the complexities of teaching grammar in second language acquisition. Empowering teachers to implement acquisition-driven instruction. Join us in this conversation as we navigate through the intricacies of language acquisition, explore the importance of empowering teachers, and uncover the need for proactive communication in education. Ready? Click play and happy listening! Resources: Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach >>> https://growingwithproficiency.com/teacherguide Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG _________________ Elicia Cárdenas' Bio Elicia Cárdenas is a former middle school Spanish teacher with extensive experience teaching a variety of levels, ages, and subjects. Her experience includes working with preservice teachers at Westminster College, and as a teaching assistant for MIT Teaching Systems Lab. Although she was trained as an elementary teacher, she shifted her focus to understanding of second language acquisition and its application to classroom instruction in a world language classroom. She presents regularly at national, regional, and state conferences and for school districts all over the USA. Her areas of expertise include assessment with an equity lens and working to make sure all students are successful at acquiring another language. She is the Director of Training for The Comprehensible Classroom and is the founder of the blog Deskless Classroom. More resources by our guest: The Deskless Classroom Blog: https://www.desklessclassroom.com/ The Comprehensible Classroom: https://comprehensibleclassroom.com

¿Te has preguntado cómo apoyar de manera efectiva a tus estudiantes de herencia en su desarrollo de expresión escrita? En esta primera parte de un episodio especial, nos sumergimos en una conversación con la Dra. Alberta Gatti, experta en literatura, alfabetización y lingüística aplicada, para explorar los objetivos y metodologías en nuestras clases con estudiantes de herencia. Principales aspectos destacados: Objetivos de las clases con estudiantes de herencia: Discutimos objetivos de uso de la lengua y objetivos académicos siendo el primordial el desarrollo de la auto-estima lingüistica. Importancia de la doble alfabetización y cómo el trabajo lingüístico en español beneficia la competencia en inglés. Tres elementos de la alfabetización: Exploramos los aspectos lingüístico, sociocultural y cognitivo de la alfabetización y cómo se integran en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Limitaciones de la metodología tradicional: Analizamos por qué el enfoque de borrador inicial, retroalimentación y producto final puede quedarse corto en el desarrollo de habilidades de escritura de los estudiantes de herencia. Nueva metodología con tres componentes: Presentamos una metodología innovadora que incluye lectura, texto de análisis y escritura en clase, diseñada para fomentar un aprendizaje más profundo y significativo. Recursos y enlaces mencionados: Investigating Pedagogies for Advanced Proficiency (IPAP) Project Creating Extended Scaffolded Writing Tasks for Heritage Speakers Genre in World Language Education by Francis J. Troyan Classroom-Based Dialect Awareness in Heritage Language Instruction: A Critical Applied Linguistic Approach Más enlaces: Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG No te pierdas esta conversación enriquecedora que te proporcionará herramientas valiosas para apoyar a tus estudiantes de herencia en el desarrollo de su competencia escrita y cultural. ¡Escucha el episodio completo para obtener más información y consejos prácticos!

Are you tired of feeling misunderstood by your administrators during observations? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pablo Martinez to uncover actionable strategies for more successful observations and building a stronger understanding between language teachers and their administrators. Key Highlights: The Reality of Administrator Knowledge: Dr. Martinez discusses the common gap in administrators' understanding of second language acquisition and its impact on classroom observations. Proactive vs. Reactive Approaches: Learn how to shift from a reactive stance to a proactive one by educating administrators about effective language teaching practices. The Administrator Corner: Discover how adding an "Administrator Corner" to your classroom can serve as an indirect yet powerful tool for enlightening administrators about your teaching methods. Specific Steps for Regular Classes: Dr. Martinez shares concrete steps you can take in your everyday classes to help administrators appreciate and celebrate your teaching practices, rather than trying to alter them. Resources and Links Mentioned: Read Dr. Pablo Martinez´ Bio here The Administrative Corner by Luisa Meyer What my administrators want to see when they come to the classroom Links & Resources: Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Are you on the lookout for effective strategies to enhance engagement in your world language classes? Join us in this episode as we explore the power of incorporating music into language learning with Justin from Spanish Plans. We delve into March Madness, a dynamic approach to using music that has significantly boosted student interest and participation in Spanish classes. March Madness isn't just a competition; it's a gateway to cultural immersion and linguistic enrichment. Through this engaging three-week event, students evaluate and vote on songs, connecting them with a diverse array of artists and genres. This innovative use of music in world language education not only introduces students to high-frequency language in context but also cultivates an appreciation for the cultural nuances behind the lyrics. Whether you're looking to fully integrate this music challenge into your lessons or seeking to adapt its format to fit your class's unique needs, March Madness provides an accessible platform for all educators to elevate the use of music in their classrooms. In this episode, Justin will share with us great ideas to successfully integrate not only March Madness but music into our classes, ensuring our students are cultivating an appreciation for different musical genres and encouraging the exploration of Spanish music outside the classroom. Click play now and let’s enjoy some music. _______ Bio: Justin is a veteran Spanish teacher of nearly 20 years. He currently teaches 8th grade in nothern Chicagoland. He has been blogging at SpanishPlans since 2010. In addition to raising his bilingual daughter, Justin also enjoys listening to music, soccer, and traveling. Resources mentioned in this episode: General information about March Madness 2024: https://spanishplans.org/mmm24/ Teacher Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/March-Music-Madness-2024-Locura-de-Marzo-Musical-10925380 Links & Resources: Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Are you wondering how to boost interaction among your students within your world language classroom? Struggling to find effective strategies that get students engage while listening, reading and writing? Look no further—this episode is for you. Join us as we welcome Tan Huynh, a secondary school educator with a deep focus on English language acquisition, author, podcaster, and consultant. Joining from across the globe, Tan shares his insights into the powerful Talk Read Talk Write (TRTW) model, pioneered by Nancy Motley. Tan has embraced TRTW to enhance the learning experiences of multilingual students, meticulously using the model to facilitate meaningful processing of input while students read and listen, and to scaffold student output when they are writing or talking. TRTW offers a robust framework for lesson planning, enabling students to engage deeply with the content and each other through reading, listening, and writing activities. Intrigued? Click here to dive deeper into how TRTW can be incorporated into your lesson plans, fostering more engaging, interactive, and supportive learning environments for your students. ________________________________- Tan Huynh (@tankhuynh ) is a secondary school teacher specializing in English language acquisition, an author, podcaster, and consultant. He has taught students from 5th to 10th grade in domestic public, private, and charter, but the bulk of his experience has been in international schools. He also taught social studies and spends much of his days co-planning and co-teaching. Tan is trained in sheltered instruction, WIDA, culturally-responsive instruction, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, and the Collaborative Instructional Cycle. Tan shares his application of research-based strategies on his blog, podcast, and online courses with the hopes of celebrating teachers who answer the @‌calling to serve multilingual learners. He holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction specializing in language acquisition. You can learn more about his work by going to http://TanKHuynh.com . Resources: Tan K. Huyng Blog Empowering MLs Podcast Talk Read Talk Write Book The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexter The Writing Revolution by Judith C. Hochman, and more. Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

How can we ensure that students not only talk but also listen to each other in group and pair activities, fostering a vibrant classroom discourse community? In this episode, we talk about a crucial aspect of building a classroom discourse community — not just encouraging students to speak but also to listen attentively to one another during group and pair work. While our last episode focused on engaging students in talking, here, we spotlight the other side of oral communication: listening. We discuss practical strategies to enhance listening skills among students, ensuring that everyone is heard and that discussions are meaningful and inclusive. Highlights: The Importance of Listening: Understanding why listening is as critical as speaking for a productive classroom discourse community. 4 Key Strategies: Unpacking strategies to improve student listening in interactive settings, extending beyond the teacher-student dynamic to include peer-to-peer listening. Modeling listening behaviors through body language and expressions. Encouraging students to build on each other's answers to foster deeper conversations. Practicing asking follow-up questions to keep the discussion flowing. Teaching the skill of negotiating meaning to enhance understanding. Giving students compelling reasons to listen, such as finding similarities/differences or agreeing/disagreeing to spark interest and engagement. Practical Tools and Activities like the dice activity for small groups. Reflective Practice: Incorporating reflection through exit tickets that prompt students to consider their peers' contributions, reinforcing the value of listening. Assessment Insights: Discussing assessment strategies inspired by Donato's "TALK" model from "The Keys To Planning for Learning" by ACTFL Listening is the silent half of oral communication, vital for a strong classroom discourse community. You will discover many strategies to promote listening. Click play and happy listening. Resources Mentioned: Ep. 5: How to Make them Listen: 5 Strategies to Get Students Listening Ep. 73: Engaging Students and Encouraging Talking in the Target Langauge with Erica Peplinski-Burge and Justin Slocum Bailey Ep. 22: Empowering Conversations: 5 Interpersonal Activities to Build Communicatie Skills with Bethanie Drew Ep. 10: How to Encourage Students To Speak in the Target Language with Christina Margiore "The Keys To Planning for Learning" by ACTFL, specifically Donato's "TALK" model for assessing communication skills. Dice activity for facilitating interactive language discussions among students.. GWP links: The Blog The Spanish Teacher Academy TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

El lenguaje inclusivo y su importancia en nuestras clases con Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez ¿Qué es el lenguaje inclusivo? ¿Por qué es importante entenderlo? ¿Cómo podemos incorporarlo en clase a pesar de restricciones que tengamos? En este episodio, mi amigo y colega, Abelardo Almazán-Vázques, no sólo nos ayuda a entender más el concepto del lenguaje inclusivo y su importancia, sino que comparte de manera vulnerable su propio testimonio. Este testimono que comparte Abelardo es auténtico y es un punto de partida que nos lleva a reflexionar sobre cómo las palabras que usamos en el aula y afuera del aula pueden impactar a la persona que las escucha. Personalmente fue un honor hablar con Abelardo y le agradezco su compasión y su empatía para profes que como yo hasta ahora han iniciado este proceso de reflexión. Espero que esta conversación contribuya a tu propio proceso de crecimiento. Haz click en “play” y feliz escucha. ¿Quién es Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez? Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez está en su decimotercer año enseñando español, entrenando un equipo de fútbol de todos los géneros, enseñando bailes latinos y siendo el Jefe del Departamento de Lenguas del Mundo en The Putney School. Realizó su Licenciatura en Enseñanza del Español como Segunda Lengua en la Universidad Internacional UNINTER y su Maestría en Estudios Latinoamericanos en la Universidad Estatal de Cleveland. Nativo de Cuernavaca, México. Ha presentado en varias conferencias de Lenguas del Mundo, incluyendo "Lo Mejor de Massachusetts" para MaFLA2018, cofundador de la MCTLC (Minnesota Council of Teaching Languages and Cultures) 2020 en la sección "BIPOC/Inmigrante", presentador de la sesión destacada en la Conferencia NECTFL 2021, orador principal para la Conferencia de Primavera 2021 de GWATFL (The Greater Washington Association of Teachers of Foreign Language), y orador principal para la Conferencia de Primavera 2023 de VFLA (Vermont Foreign Language Association). Recursos La Linterna de Traductor Artículo Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez en IG Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Seeking ways to encourage student talking and boost engagement in the target language, without forcing output? If you're wondering, 'How can I get my students talking more in class in a natural and engaging way?' then this episode is a must-listen for you. Join me for a powerful conversation with Erica Peplinski-Burge and Justin Slocum Bailey. In this episode, we delve into the delicate balance of nurturing student communication in the target language. We're not talking about forcing output, but rather creating an environment where students feel inspired and motivated to talk. Discover strategies backed by brain research that reveal how to enhance student engagement and encourage voluntary, natural use of the target language in your classroom. These techniques are not just about getting students to talk more; they're about transforming the way they interact with the language and each other. Are you ready to discover new ways to encourage your students to communicate more freely and effectively in the target language? Want to know the secrets to creating a classroom atmosphere that naturally promotes student talking and engagement? Click and join us in this episode. Highlights of the episode: Utilizing rejoinders and gestures Creating a safe and trusting environment for language Learners Reflecting on brain research and students’ motivation to talk Discussing the effects of feedback when students are talking Disconnecting speaking from being graded The power of narration Enhancing student motivation through small speaking successes __________________________________________ Our guest experts: Justin Slocum Bailey: A longtime language, music, and martial arts teacher from Vienna, Austria, Justin has trained teachers in 37 U.S. states and given workshops, courses, and keynotes in Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and China. Justin has also published several articles and book chapters on language teaching. The many glowing testimonials of his work include “If everyone taught language like Justin Slocum Bailey, we would have a world of self-directed polyglots” and “The kind of teacher I’d like to have a beer with.” Justin is unwavering in his belief that all humans can learn another language and that good teaching consists of identifiable, learnable skills. He can’t wait to help you master these! Erica Peplinski-Burge: A neuroscience-loving Spanish teacher with a passion for sharing knowledge and 18 years of teaching experience from Kindergarten to 8th grade, Erica was the MIWLA 2020 Teacher of the Year. Erica is a regular presenter at some of the biggest conferences in the industry, including iFLT, ACTFL, Central States, and many state-sponsored conferences. She also co-founded and presents at MittenCI. Erica is a published author, having coauthored a chapter on how the brain acquires language, and has consulted for Encyclopedia Britannica and various language curriculums. Erica also plans Voces' PD events and specialized training for teachers. She loves helping teachers find brain-friendly ways to help students acquire languages joyfully! Resources mentioned and more: Free training videos by Justin and Erica: https://vocesdigital.com/training.php?tgt=av-hub Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Welcome to the final episode of our special 3-part series on the 3 Pillars of a Successful Language Classroom! In this episode, we wrap up with a topic that's close to my heart - communication. We've chatted about building connections and making target language comprehensible in previous episodes. Now, we're diving into communication, the trickiest but most rewarding part of language teaching. We'll chat about why communication is so central in our language classes and what it really means to have a communicative classroom. Key Discussions: The Crucial Role of Communication in Language Learning Unpacking why communication stands at the heart of language education. Definite communicating and diving into varied perspectives from renowned educators like Dr. Bill Van Patten and insights from "Common Grounds" by Dr. Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins. The Challenges of Centering Classes Around Communication. Addressing common hurdles and misconceptions in shifting towards a communication-focused approach. Strategies for Fostering Communication. Practical tips, classroom activities, and a different approach to our content to make communication at the center of our classes. Join and Explore: Become a member of Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy Visit the Growing With Proficiency Blog for more insights and strategies. Find ready-to-use resources at Growing With Proficiency Teachers Pay Teachers store. Resources Mentioned: "Common Grounds" by Dr. Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins "While We’re On The Topic" – A comprehensive guide for language teachers Dr. Stephen Krashen's insightful resources Recap of our journey through the 3 Pillars: Episode 68: Building Connections Episode 71: Facilitating Target Language Comprehensibility Listen now for a deep dive into the last but not the less important element for a successful language classroom: communication. Happy listening, and let's keep growing together!

Can you relate to the challenge of making your language classes comprehensible and engaging? I get it. Balancing the importance of facilitating target language comprehensibility with the reality of students at different levels of proficiency and varying levels of motivation is hard. That’s why you’re going to love this episode. In this week’s episode, I dive deep into the nuances of using target language in class and making it comprehensible. I will go beyond the theory. I'll explore different strategies to keep our interactions with students comprehensible and also our content. If you're a language teacher looking for ideas to use more target language in class that is comprehensible to your students this year, this episode is tailored just for you. Highlights: Discover what we should be using the target language for in class, how much of it, and how comprehensible it should be. Specific strategies to make our interactions with students comprehensible so that not only will they understand, but they will also engage. More strategies to make all our texts (print and audio) comprehensible for our students, even those authentic materials for upper-level classes. Ready? Click play and happy listening. Don’t forget to check out all our resources mentioned in this episode below. Prior episodes mentioned today: Part 1 of the series Episode 68 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 40 and 41 Episode 42 Episode 43 Episode 54 More Resources Documents with texts in Spanish and using words in Chinese Live class: 3 Steps to Create Compelling, Comprehensible and Time Effective Lesson Plans for the Spanish Class Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency Teachers Pay Teachers Growing with Proficiency The Spanish Teachers Academy

En este episodio exploramos los fundamentos la enseñanza de la lengua de manera comprensible y comunicative (Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching -CCLT) y su impacto en nuestras aulas. Descubre cómo los principios de comprensión y comunicación pueden empoderarnos para tomar decisiones en cuanto a nuestras prácticas y nos ayudan a defenderlas. En este episodio también me enfocaré en cómo podemos proporcionar input comprensible, el rol esencial de estudiante, y la importancia de entender que la comprensión antecede la producción de lengua por millas. Y finalmente hay una invitación especial para una clase en vivo: 3 claves para crear lecciones comprensibles, relevantes y efectivas para nuestras clases de español. Registrate hoy acá growingwithproficiency.com/liveclass. Más recursos: FB Community Growing With CI Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Growing With Proficiency Store

Welcome to a special episode of our podcast! Today, I'm thrilled to chat with Leandra Rodríguez and Angelica Ruiz, two exceptional Spanish teachers and members of GWP, the Spanish Teacher Academy. We'll dive into our most significant takeaways from the ACTFL 2023 conference. In This Session, We'll Cover: The Magic of Reading: We'll explore specific strategies for reading, including the co-creation of texts, level-appropriate readings, and engaging with tic-tac-toe reading questions. Critical Lens on Text Selection: Understanding the importance of identifying stereotypes when selecting texts. We'll discuss a fantastic tool developed by Adriana Ramirez: "Leyendo con Lupa" (Reading with a Magnifying Glass). Innovative Classroom Jobs: Insights on how classroom jobs can enhance the learning environment. Revolutionizing Writing: I'll share insights about the effectiveness of the 'one draft, feedback, and final draft' approach versus prolonged writing assignments supported by reading and ongoing feedback. This episode has invaluable insights for every language educator. Don't miss it. Click now to tune in! Resources & Links Leyendo con lupa by Adriana Ramirez Teacher Guide: How to Shift to a Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Approach FB Community Growing With CI Growing With Proficiency THe Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Growing With Proficiency Store Find all episodes of Growing with Proficiency The Podcast here.

Welcome to the first part of our exciting three-part series, where we're diving deep into the foundational pillars of a world language classroom success! In this episode, we focus on the first pillar: Building Stronger Connections. As language educators, we know the start of a new year is a golden opportunity to foster deeper engagement and cultivate a positive and caring classroom culture. If you're looking for ideas on how to nurture meaningful relationships with your students, this episode is just what you need! A Quick Recap: Episode 42: Setting the Stage - We explored how to effectively prepare your classroom, touching on organization and parent communication. Missed it? Listen here. Episode 43: Powerful First Day - We shared tips for a memorable first day, setting the tone for the rest of the year. Check it out here. In Today's Episode: Discover why establishing a sense of belonging and trust is vital for a positive classroom culture and how it boosts student motivation and engagement. Also, learn about these 5 effective strategies to cultivate classroom connections everyday in your class: Daily Interactions for Engagement Building Personal Relationships 'Star Student Interview' Practice Co-creation of content Focused Conversations: 2 x 10-minute conversations This episode kicks off our series with practical and impactful strategies to start your year with strong, positive connections in your classroom. Stay tuned for the next episodes where we'll dive into the remaining pillars of comprehension and communication. Ready? Click play and happy listening Teacher Guide: How to Shift to a Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Approach FB Community Growing With CI Growing With Proficiency THe Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Growing With Proficiency Store