Conference Speaking

Learn effective and engaging strategies to teach in the target language without sacrificing comprehension! Workshop attendees will participate as students in a series of proficiency-oriented activities that students love and that can be done entirely in the target language, regardless of which language they teach, and they will leave with an adaptable template for planning proficiency oriented lessons that maximize student engagement 

Can be offered as a 3-hour workshop

Nothing is more motivating than success. In this session, we will look at instructional moves that build confidence and motivation for students in the world language classroom, with a focus on supporting students who often feel left behind in world language classes. Teachers will leave with simple, easy to implement strategies that can be used at all levels and in all languages.  

A strong sense of community is at the heart of any healthy classroom and can be challenging under the best circumstances. In this session, participants will learn practical and effective strategies that can be used to build community while maintaining healthy relationships in remote-, in-person- and hybrid-learning environments. When students feel valued, heard and included, the results are refreshing, and learning flourishes.

Changes in instruction require changes in assessment. Teaching for communicative proficiency necessitates that we grade for communicative proficiency. Grades should communicate what students CAN DO in the target language, within the classroom context. They should be proficiency-based Performance Grades– and they should not be another source of stress for teachers. In this session, the presenter will unpack several problems with traditional grading systems and will share simple interpretive and presentational assessment templates and rubrics.

As teachers try to determine if a text is a good fit for their learners, they often ask the publisher, “What ACTFL Level is this text?”. Unfortunately, they're asking the wrong question! In this session, the presenter will help attendees learn how to identify texts that are a "just right" fit for their learners in terms of reading level. Participants will leave with a simple evaluative tool to use when ordering reading materials for their classes!

Music is universally one of the most powerful tools for providing comprehensible input and facilitating language acquisition. Learn how to use music to naturally inspire the interpretive mode of communication, deepen reading and listening comprehension, sustain interpersonal communication and engage students in higher-order thinking.

Classroom management is at the forefront of every teacher's mind these days. In this session, we will look at reframing classroom management to consider how we can build cooperation and engagement within a culturally competent framework. This session will be interactive, so be prepared to think, respond, and move around. Please bring something to write with!

In language classes, questioning is a key strategy that impacts both language acquisition and conscious learning of topical knowledge. In this session, participants will learn how to identify question types and how to combine lower and higher order questions during communicative exchanges in the target language to support instructional goals. 

Unlocking the power of comprehensible input in language teaching paves the way for maximum personalization, maximum fun, and... maximum exhaustion! Acquisition-focused educators need reusable lesson sequences that can be applied to any content without special preparation. In this session, the presenters will model a versatile lesson plan sequence that is easy on the teacher and engaging for students!
 

TV series in the target language are abundant and extremely engaging. This highly interactive session will guide participants through the steps for navigating the use of a series while exploiting it for comprehensible input. From set-up to execution, learn how to successfully use a TV series in a way that will have students begging for more.

In this session, participants will learn how to reimagine what teaching culture looks like in the context of a language class. The presenter will model how to follow a logical unit-mapping sequence for developing coherent, compelling lessons that not only teach students about cultural products, practices, and perspectives, but also help them to develop their intercultural competence through guided reflection.

All subject areas can benefit from read alouds; they are known as the "Swiss Army Knife of Literacy" for a reason! This session will explore the reasons why we read out loud, how to select texts for readers, and a number of demonstration activities that engage readers and encourage interactions with a text.  Be prepared to move around, engage deeply, and bring something to write with. This session will be presented in English, with English examples.

Asking questions in an acquisition-driven class allows students to hear the target language in context and with greater frequency. However, asking questions in a meaningful and natural way is not always obvious and is considered by some to be an art form. Learn how to get the most of your questions to help language get into students' heads more efficiently and get them thinking, sharing, and talking in the target language. 

Heavy lessons and topics can turn off even the most serious and motivated student. Try breaking up your lessons with some light-hearted play that won't skimp on the CI and might even help students forget that they are learning. In this interactive session, experience various game-like activities suited for virtual, hybrid, or in-person classes that get students up and out of their seats, yelling for more.

Texts are powerful springboards for connection, and Text Discovery is a powerful, multi-step activity that creates opportunities for students to connect deeply with the words and themes of a text. In this workshop, Martina Bex will model Text Discovery using an Advanced text in English. Participants will leave with ideas for using Text Discovery in upper level language classes and how to modify it for Novice-range learners.

We acquire language when we read or listen to messages that we understand. In this session, participants will explore how to incorporate individual and shared reading into every class period, as well as how to combine it with aural input. Participants will leave with a collection of pre-, during, and post- reading activities; reading strategies that maximize linguistic processing, and sources for comprehensible texts.