Blog

  by  Shmector  While some language teachers only pull out the old video player as a backup plan, #langchat participants were strong advocates for actively using movies and videos as a way to teach world language in the classroom. Many suggested that a steady schedule of short, high-interest, culturally significant movies or videos can help students to […]

According to #langchat participants, the best assessments are those that incorporate and prepare students for real-world language interaction. @cadamsf1 summarized the key point of last Thursday’s #langchat conversation simply: “Less is more with summative assessments so that kids use the language and have success!” Participants in the chat shared some interesting perspectives about how and […]

Infusing culture into the classroom, travel and dance are just a few ideas that always seem to get world language students motivated to learn. “Kids love variety, creativity, and want some choices about what they do,” @dr_dmd explained. His comment hit the core of what the chat was about on Thursday night. Teachers from all […]

The concept of backwards design is not new to most world language teachers. As schools become more product and test-oriented, teachers must use the end goals of proficiency as a constant guide when they are developing curriculum and assessments. At last week’s #langchat, participants talked about how they are using the backwards design concept to […]

  by  benjieordonez  “Songs can get to your brain and heart faster than any other language interaction,” stated @DiegoOjeda66 last Thursday night. His comment got right to the heart of many teachers’ perspectives about using music in the world language classroom. Music is a universal element of culture, and one of the eight learning intelligences discussed by […]

  by  seo_gun  Among #langchat participants on Thursday night, it proved to be difficult to come to a consensus on which texts best help students meet communication proficiency goals. Each teacher had their own way of looking at texts, although using authentic resources, leveled reading and communication reading activities seemed to be common themes in many world […]

  by  morag.riddell  The #langchat twitter feed was explosive on Thursday night as teachers from around the country shared their feelings on the effects that standardized grading has had on their classrooms. Even though many teachers realized that removing grading from world language classrooms is unlikely, many were passionately advocating for a serious change away from emphasis […]

  by  DaveCrosby  ‘Honestly, how can we have ‘valid’ second language courses if we don’t also have ‘valid’ assessments?!’ asked @dr_dmd. This hypothetical question summed up the core discussion of last Thursday’s #langchat: What are valid assessments and how can teachers make time for them? What is “Valid Assessment”? The first thought that moderator @dr_dmd presented was […]

  by  James Jordan  #langchat teachers discuss the delicate balance of teaching students a love for world language in addition to the required skills and modes of learning that makes them proficient and AP-bound   Balancing Proficiency Skills and Activities World language teachers have traditionally organized their classes around the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. […]

  by  Kevin M. Gill  #langchat discusses some ideas for taking advantage of the increased access to global language sharing. Even though Spring Break is closing in, #langchat participants shared a wealth of great ideas on how to use the global language teaching community to help students acquire new skills. Many teachers focused on creating personal connections […]