Become a more confident language teacher.
About two months ago, I wrote a post explaining how second language teachers can use the Common Core Anchor Standards for Reading to give depth to their reading assessments and challenge students to think critically in the target language. Read it here. Understandably, some readers were left wondering what an assessment composed of CCSS Aligned questions…
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The goal of every language teacher is for their students to speak the language. We want our students to be able to talk about all kinds of topics and accomplish all kinds of purposes, talking to all kinds of people. But HOW??? We don’t actually learn language by speaking; nor do we learn language by……
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It is important for all teachers to informally assess students’ comprehension throughout any lesson in any content area. When we ask a comprehension question, we use students’ response to determine whether it’s time to move on to the next topic, or if we must spend more time on whatever we are studying at the moment.…
Read MoreOver the last year, I have received many email requests from teachers, administrators, and conference planners that need to know how TPRS® and other Comprehensible Input strategies meet Common Core standards. Teachers must explain the connections so that they are permitted to use these best practice strategies in their classrooms, administrators seek to know whether…
Read More66 readers entered the iFLT ’14 giveaway, but unfortunately only one could win. Would that I could afford to fund registrations for all of you!! However, I see that I’m approaching 1,000 followers, so I think there might be an opportunity for someone else to win something exciting in the near future… Anyway, let’s cut to the…
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I think that authentic resources are overrated. This is coming from the lady that just presented at ACTFL on the importance of authentic resources, or ‘ #authres ‘, and how to use them in novice language classes… kind of a contradiction? How important are authentic resources in a language curriculum? #authres are important, but they…
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Download all handouts from my 2013 session here. It’s 8:30pm on Saturday night, the boys are asleep (for now, anyway), and I am on the computer putting finishing touches on my presentation for ACTFL. That’s right…I am actually going to a conference, and I am hoping that I will be able to meet many of you…
Read MoreAlright, here we go again! Instead of Realidades, this time around I have been working on a document that lists TPRS/CI friendly ideas for teachers using the Avancemos textbook series. AND I made it a Google Doc so that you can contribute! Just follow the instructions at the top of the document linked here: TPRS…
Read MoreEarlier this week, I was catching up on some blog reading and noticed a pattern…MovieTalk, MovieTalk, MovieTalk! Laurie Clarcq wrote about using MovieTalk with Despereaux on her Embedded Reading blog. Kristin Duncan wrote about using MovieTalk with The Paperman on TPRS Teacher. Bryan Kandel wrote about trying out MovieTalk for the first time with a…
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QUESTION: Do you teach a native language or support teachers that do?? Our state language association is looking for ways to better support our Alaska Native language teachers and would love to hear what you are doing that has been successful and what challenges you have faced/are facing! Please leave your thoughts in the comments! Thanks!! –Martina, 01/2016 This past…
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