Personal vocabulary blogs have allowed me some unique insights into students’ approach to life so far. I especially enjoy what my little shutterbugs have shown me–even if it was only to avoid having to cite online images. Also seeing the kinds of words kiddos come up with when they’re under the Read more…
To earn a slot on the Governor’s Teacher Network, I need to propose units I want to develop. This could be my big chance to promote projects that not only make language truly relevant but that make students lives better. So I took another look at the North Carolina Essential Standards (novice, Read more…
International Skypes go smoother with a plan. They go even smoother with a plan plus a few days of targeted preparation. I’ve put a lot of thought into my interpersonal playbook, a sort of semi-scripted routine I’m working to establish for my Spanish classes so they can feel at ease whenever Read more…
The standards-based e-portfolio I use for evaluation has been a little rocky since I started experimenting with it last year. North Carolina’s eLinguafolio has been on the fritz, and I’ve tried a few different methods for curation–mostly Google Sites and Blogger–and I’ve not been totally satisfied with the results yet. Read more…
You arranged for your class to Skype with a native speaker–maybe a whole class of native speakers–and to carry on a real live conversation in the target language. Your kids introduced themselves, nodded and said “gracias” like they should when their compañeros across the internet answered their questions. But you Read more…
After an awkward class Skype session or five, I’ve resorted to having students prepare a sort of script for what to do when. Setting the schema of the conversation beforehand is essential., but since the conversation is spontaneous, it’s not a you-read-this-I-read-that script, but sort of a playbook for what Read more…
Image source: Matt Haskell on SourceLink The honey badger is a creature that has gained internet notoriety for its lack of …cares…to give. In my experience, the powers that be in charge of World Languages Other than English National Boards are a lot like the honey badger. As both an English Read more…
Maybe they won’t ever go to a four-year college in another country, but they’re going to know exactly how they could if they ever decide to! Driving Question: Can I convince my friends to study abroad with me? Entry Event: Fill out an application to Universidad Anáhuac (yay for fulfilling Novice Linguafolio Read more…