District Training

What to expect from our training.

We equip teachers with instructional tools that are grounded in a solid understanding of language acquisition and the belief that connection is at the heart of the human experience.

Our workshops combine key ideas related to second language acquisition theory with proven classroom strategies. Workshop attendees will experience activities first-hand so they can immediately apply their learning to their classes.

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Core Beliefs

What we believe:
1. All students are capable of acquiring a language.
2. The brain is already wired to recognize and use patterns of language.
3. Language is not built up from practice, but from exposure to consistent and constant comprehensible input.
4. Language is acquired when we understand messages; when we understand what people tell us and when we understand what we read.
5. Acquisition occurs through developmental stages.
6. What teachers call errors are indicators of developmental stages of learning.
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Customizable workshops

With 10 years of experience training departments and districts, we have developed a library of workshops that address the most common professional learning needs of school districts throughout North America. Our master trainers will work with your organization to select the topic that will best support your goals. Then we will custom-tailor the content to fit your schedule and specific needs.

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Workshop Topics

Contact us to start a training inquiry and book one of the following workshops for your district.

Teaching for Acquisition

Donna Tatum-Johns
Training and Development Specialist
The transition away from designing language courses based on a traditional grammar syllabus requires a shift in thinking as well as a shift in instruction. In this workshop, attendees will consider both the theoretical basis for Proficiency Oriented, Comprehension Based™ teaching and its practical application. Attendees will explore these concepts through interactive demonstrations.
Content
- Introduction to language acquisition theory and how it relates to comprehension based instruction.
- Demonstrations of input focused strategies at a variety of language levels, experienced as a student.
- Debriefing to unpack what teacher skills are necessary for a comprehension based class.
- Examining how to scaffold activities into a unit plan and set reasonable expectations for student learning.
Assessment for Acquisition

Donna Tatum-Johns
Training and Development Specialist
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 feel manageable for teachers.
Content
- Examine and discuss relevant research pertaining to Ordered Development for language acquisition.
- Dive deep into standards based grading practices in the world language classroom.
- See examples of practical assessment solutions.
- Delve into grading practices that can reduce bias and promote equity.
- Find practical solutions to common grading problems.
Stepping into Somos

Elicia Cárdenas
Director of Training
The transition away from designing language courses based on a traditional grammar syllabus requires a shift in thinking as well as a shift in instruction. In this workshop, attendees will consider both the theoretical basis for Proficiency Oriented, Comprehension Based™ teaching and its practical application. Attendees will explore these concepts through interactive demonstrations taken from The Somos Curriculum®. This workshop is designed for districts and departments that have adopted The Somos, Nous Sommes, and/or Sumus curriculum.
Content
- Introduction to language acquisition theory and how it relates to comprehension based instruction.
- Demonstrations of input focused strategies at a variety of language levels, experienced as a student.
- Debriefing to unpack what teacher skills are necessary for a comprehension based class.
- Overview of assessment and standards based grading with a focus on communicative proficiency, and reporting what students CAN DO in the target language in a classroom context.
- "Unpacking" a Somos unit and tips for planning with Somos.
Cooperation and Engagement

Elicia Cárdenas
Director of Training

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!
Beyond the Basics

Elicia Cárdenas
Director of Training
Departments that have adopted an acquisition based approach still have need for ongoing support. Our Director of Training can work with you to determine specific workshop topics to support teachers in developing their skills as acquisition based teachers.
Because this is an advanced skills workshop, Teaching for Acquisition is a prerequisite to booking a Beyond the Basics workshop.
Content
- Differentiation skills in a Comprehension-based classroom
- Strategies for classroom engagement and cooperation
- Selecting and using appropriate texts and resources
- Anti-racist practices for Comprehension-based classrooms
- Creating a free reading program
- Teaching with language learner literature
- Using music and songs

Our Instructors

More about us

Elicia Cárdenas
Director of Training

After partnering with The Comprehensible Classroom for two years as a part-time Curriculum Mentor and trainer, Elicia joined as the full-time Director of Training in 2020. Elicia travels throughout North America to work with districts and organizations that represent teachers who are ready to transform their classroom instruction through Comprehension-based instruction. Elicia is also the founder of the Deskless Classroom.
Donna Tatum-Johns
Training and Development Specialist

Donna is a dedicated and accomplished educator with 36 years of classroom experience. For over twenty years, she has shared her expertise with fellow educators through workshops and presentations at local, regional, and national conferences. Donna’s dedication to education and her unwavering commitment to innovative teaching have made her a respected and influential figure in the field of language instruction. Upon her retirement from the classroom in 2024, Donna was honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA).

More about us

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This week’s training is the best I’ve ever attended. I’m still processing like crazy, but it’s good processing. As someone ready for deeper understanding, this absolutely blew my mind! Exceeds expectations!

TFA Attendee, Long Beach

This is one of the best professional development sessions I have attended in my 25 years of teaching. Elicia is professional, energetic, fun, smart, and cares a great deal about making a difference. She makes everyone feel comfortable and want to participate. She is a model teacher who not only taught me but inspired me!

District Workshop Participant

Elicia does a fabulous job of modeling mutual respect and positivity! She told us on the front end what she would present, asked us to prioritize our learning interests, and then geared her presentation accordingly. Her passion inspires others!

Teacher Labs Attendee

I loved everything about this presentation. She shared practical hands-on activities for the classroom setting. It was very beneficial and I cannot wait to implement all this knowledge into my practice!

FLENJ Workshop Attendee

We really enjoyed the session yesterday, and our teachers have all sung your praises!

Sarah L.

Mind Blown....so much great information. I can't wait to check out the resources we were sent home with. I would love to have more training like this!

Workshop attendee

When your district pays for professional development from The Comprehensible Classroom and the wonderful Elicia Cárdenas is the one presenting, you feel good.

Jennifer

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Confidence in the classroom begins with exceptional training that engages, educates and encourages; training that is inclusive, timely, full of rich applicable content and that provides opportunities to continue on your education journey. We offer a range of custom-tailored training opportunities for teachers, districts, cohort-style small groups, and conferences.

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