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Training Opportunities

Individual Training

Teachers are the experts in their classrooms. The Comprehensible Classroom is committed to providing training opportunities for teachers to pursue the professional learning that they need at their own pace. 

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Become a more confident language teacher.

Confidence comes from believing in your own knowledge and abilities, and our training equips you with both.  The Comprehensible Classroom provides training in a variety of skills and strategies related to teaching for language acquisition that are designed to give you the confidence you need to make changes in your classroom.

Whether you are interested in making changes alongside your department or seeking training in isolation, The Comprehensible Classroom is here to support you. Our individual training options include self-paced, on-demand, hybrid, and in-person opportunities. We offer free, low-cost, and customized training options to individuals so that all teachers can have access to training that will impact their teaching. 

EMPOWERING 5

ABC EXPRESS

Empowering ELL Teachers

Self-paced Online Course

Empowering ELL Teachers is a short, self-directed course intended to introduce you to the basics of acquisition based teaching with a focus on English Language Learners and emergent Multilingual Language Learners. In this course, we cover the theory of language acquisition, necessary skills for acquisition driven classrooms, and an introduction to building literacy in the classroom.

Training Opportunities for Individual Teachers

Throughout the year, The Comprehensible Classroom hosts online and in-person workshops with open registration. Explore our courses, and join our mailing list to be notified when registration for the next event opens.

  • Acquisition Boot Camp

    Elicia Cárdenas

    Director of Training
    Elicia cardenas 275x275

    Acquisition Boot Camp (ABC) is a virtual, month-long self-directed intensive intended to introduce teachers to the basics of acquisition based teaching. Next opportunity: October 2024 -- special Somos-focused version of ABC. Learn more here.

    Content

    • Daily instructional videos (10-15 minutes each)

    • Forums moderated by experienced instructional coaches

    • Workbook with daily resources and reflections

    • Weekly live events with guest instructors

  • Teaching and Assessing for Acquisition

    Donna Tatum-Johns

    Training and Development Specialist
    Donna TJ

    The transition away from teaching language courses based on a traditional grammar syllabus requires a shift in thinking as well as a shift in instruction and assessment practice. In this in person, 2-day workshop, attendees will consider both the theoretical basis for Acquisition Driven, Comprehension Based™ teaching and assessment and its practical application. Attendees will explore these concepts through interactive demonstrations. Registration is currently closed for upcoming workshops.

    Content

    • Unpack the role of input and developmental order in language acquisition.

    • Demonstrations of input focused strategies at a variety of language levels, experienced as a student.

    • Dive deep into standards based grading practices in the world language classroom.

    • Delve into grading practices that can reduce bias and promote equity.

  • Acquisition Academy

    Elicia Cárdenas

    Director of Training
    Elicia cardenas 275x275

    Acquisition Academy is an immersive, 3-day learning experience in which attendees explore the theoretical basis for Acquisition Driven Instruction through interactive demonstrations, engaging lectures, and opportunities to practice new skills under the guidance of experienced coaches. Registration is closed at this time.

    Content

    • Foundational knowledge regarding the what, why, and how of teaching for acquisition. 

    • Standards-based assessment practices for a comprehension based classroom.

    • Exploration of strategies for classroom engagement and cooperation in an acquisition driven classroom.

    • Small group coaching to practice your new skills under the guidance of an experienced coach.

Our Instructors

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    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 TJ

    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).

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    Martina Bex

    Founder & CEO

    Martina is a respected international expert and thought leader in the field of language education. Since founding The Comprehensible Classroom in 2010, Martina has partnered with Master Teachers to expand and diversify the company's trainings and products. Martina and Elicia work closely together to develop trainings that help teachers and districts experience success as they explore an acquisition-driven approach to language teaching.

More about us

I have learned so much from this course! I feel like I'm improving daily and I'm not kidding when I say how much more engaged my students seem with some of the small changes. They are responding so well! Students are still reaping the benefits now.

ABC Participant

Thank you SO much for your contributions to the foreign language teaching profession. I have seen both Martina and Elicia at various conferences and they are both captivating and engaging presenters.

P. Spinelli

Seeing you in action gave me so much confidence. This year, in the middle of remote learning and a pandemic, every single senior I teach says Spanish is their favorite class. I truly have the whole Comprehensible Classroom family to thank for that.

Ivette D.

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
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Department training

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. 

The Comprehensible Classroom offers customizable, on-site workshops for districts and departments that are ready for change!

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