I know homework can be a dirty word in this day and age, but with languages, to confine interaction to the classroom is to kill the very purpose for the learning. Languages are not just a secret code confined to certain hours and certain spaces in one certain building. Our classroom is the Read more…
My son’s school has gone global! In fact, they’re converting to dual immersion, starting with this year’s kindergarten class. Two years too late for him, alas (but in plenty of time for Sister)! Paolo is still enjoying some benefits of the global focus, however. For instance, each grade level got Read more…
Whether you’re going to a Mexican restaurant (we are) or participating in a foreign language competition (that too) or taking your kids on a mile-long walk with water jugs (#squadgoals), students can always engage in a little interpersonal exchange, as well as a little presentational reflection. Last year I tried Read more…
I think Standards-Based Grading is the way to go. As a parent, I want to know how well my kiddo is keeping up with expectations in, well, everything he’s expected to do. If I can get some kind of indication of what IS expected and how close he is to Read more…
The basic premise for this IPA is almost exactly the same as last year’s about this time (reality talent show video then writing an acceptance speech), BUT there are a few crucial changes: 1. I changed the video from Mexico Tiene Talento to La Voz Kids. 2. We’re using Read more…
I am going to be SUPER busy this summer. Mexico, conferences, eight-year-old’s Shakespeare Camp. I don’t think I can pull off another Google Hangout series like I did last year for #LangCamp Online. Here’s what I can offer, though: an online book study and a FACE-TO-FACE PLANNING! Book Study The LangCamp Read more…
I’m excited to have been asked to contribute a language teacher’s perspective on technology for the CUE Blog (thanks for the referral, Sra. Rhodes!) Here’s an excerpt: What a time to be alive! The whole world is inside our classrooms every day. I like to pretend it’s me bringing it to Read more…
My students were laughing out loud and retelling this story in detail almost immediately. I can cite details from the story at any time, even weeks later, and get a giggle out of more than one kiddo every time. This is bar none the best TPRS story I have written. I Read more…
You know, if you can’t make it to ACTFL, CSCTFL is definitely a solid substitute. So many of the brightest minds in language education were there to talk with and learn from, that I almost couldn’t tell it wasn’t the national conference! Not that all of us SCOLT, SWCOLT, and Read more…
Thank you to everyone who joined me–or tried to join me–this afternoon at my first Central States Conference! For those who couldn’t make it (or who want to review), here are some resources, including the presentation audience Nearpod responses session tweets and the handouts! Check out the ideas from the Read more…