Blog

   by  Star Guitar  Last week, participants met to discuss the ins and outs of interpersonal assessment. In an open-format chat, Lanchatters raised pertinent questions and weighed in with advice. The discussion touched on such diverse topics as the amount of correction that instructors should provide, assessment logistics for large classes, the instructor’s role in interpersonal […]

   by  USAG-Humphreys  Last week, #langchat was playing at full volume as participants met to chat about music in the language classroom. They discussed how to choose songs and what logistics help with effective music use. Langchatters also brainstormed tasks involving songs that can help increase learners’ proficiency level. They talked about how songs can complement […]

   by  Shane Global Language Centres  Last week, Langchatters met to discuss lesson planning! They reflected on their first steps in the planning process, described how they go about gathering resources, and offered some tricks to speed up planning. Participants also noted how their planning process changes when they need a substitute. Efficient lesson planning is […]

   by  Madrid2011jmj  Last week, #langchat participants met to chat about review. Langchatters discussed how to handle review of prior content, shared their thoughts on what material is most important to revisit at the start of the school year, and mentioned some of their favorite activities to help students activate prior knowledge. Participants also reflected on […]

   by  Innovation_School  Last Thursday, participants were eager to be back and ready to dive into a chat on another relevant beginning-of-the-year topic! Langchatters brainstormed ways to better communicate just what the world language class is all about to students and parents during the first month of school. They discussed common misconceptions about world language learning […]

   by  US Department of Education  Welcome back to school … and to #langchat! Last week, participants got right down to business, eagerly jumping into a chat about grades. They discussed how to make an imposed grading system work for you. Langchatters also shared their views on what activities deserve a grade and considered ways to […]

   by  LeafLanguages  Welcome back! Last week, #langchat participants met to talk about can-do statements. They began by defining them and describing the characteristics of an effective can-do statement. Langchatters then discussed strategies that instructors can use to ensure that learners maintain a can-do mindset. They also considered how can-do statements factor into assessment and evaluation. […]

Last week, Langchatters met to discuss how the concept of high-frequency words can inform language instruction. They shared their thoughts about which high-frequency words are most important and offered advice on how to draw students’ attention to high-frequency vocab. Participants also brainstormed ways to help students build their vocabulary beyond high-frequency words and reflected on […]

Welcome back to #langchat! Last week participants met to reflect on their experiences in the classroom over the past year and to (already!) begin the process of making plans for next Fall. They shared a change that they made this year – large or small, discussed their big ‘AHA’ moments, and talked about the biggest […]

   by  Merrimack College  Last week, participants took part in the first ever #langchat snapper! In this speedy format, Langchatters weighed in on four quick questions. They discussed the best professional development programs for teachers in the U.S. and abroad, recommended iPad apps that are enhancing their communicative classrooms, suggested good video series, and offered advice […]