By trade, I am a Spanish teacher. I learned Spanish in classrooms and in the real world, and I'm intentional about creating opportunities that will help me to become ever more proficient. On the quest for proficiency, there is one factor that will always haunt me... ...ENGLISH!!! You see, English is my L1. And, like … Continue reading Is L1 clouding your judgment?
Observing other language teachers is one of the best ways to hone our own practice. Noticing the strategies that other teachers use to help learners understand and feel comfortable is at the core of the Coaching model used at national conferences like iFLT and NTPRS, and it is a form of professional development that we … Continue reading Peer observation form for language classes
Storyasking à la TPRS is one of my very favorite methods for facilitating language acquisition, and it is also one of the most complicated to learn. In this week's #summerSOMOSfunCLUB, Elicia Cárdenas and I shared some steps and strategies for maximizing its success in your classroom. Scroll to the end of the post to watch … Continue reading Storyasking made simple
If you have decided to teach for proficiency with an emphasis on comprehension, you are probably asking the question, "Where do I start?" When you ask this question to colleagues, they will probably suggest some resources for you. "Get SOMOS!", they might say, or "Start with Special Person interviews!". You'll probably hear, "The MovieTalk database … Continue reading Mindset for Acquisition: Changes in instruction require changes in thinking
One of our family's favorite ways to get the squiggly wiggly's out is with Cosmic Kids Yoga. In each episode, Jamie tells a story and acts it out with yoga poses and other forms of movement (ex: jumping jacks, running in place, etc.). Our kids love the stories, love Jamie's accent, and love yoga. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40SZl84Lr7A … Continue reading Teach language with Yoga Stories!
Many teachers long to make instructional changes in their classes, but longing only sometimes leads to action. Even after identifying the change they want to make, determining that it will be best for them and for their students, and learning how to implement it, many teachers still remain paralyzed; trapped in their old, no longer … Continue reading How to find the confidence to try something that terrifies you
Whether you are just beginning to Dip your Toes into the waters of comprehension based teaching or are a seasoned pro looking for hacks and novelty, you've got questions! Get your questions answered in LIVE Q&As There is no one right way to teach comprehensibly, and hearing many different perspectives will help you to develop … Continue reading Q&A Recorded FB LIVE Session – January 2019
Learn how to prepare for your OPI Oral Proficiency Interview through my experience taking a Mock OPI with an ACTFL Certified Tester.
Today is the last day of the #MyFives series, and we are shifting our gaze from the past to the future. Helloooooooo 2019– I'm comin' for ya! Goals I'm going to crush My wording here is strategic. I'm not setting goals that I hope to achieve; I am preparing myself to do what I intend … Continue reading #MyFives: Goals I’ll Crush in 2019
In 2018, I followed some inspiring teachers, I read some insightful posts, and I learned in many different ways. Now, I want to share with you some of the lessons that I loved in 2018. Welcome to Day 4 of the #MyFives #langchat series. I invite you to share your own list each day according … Continue reading #MyFives: Lessons I loved in 2018
