Blog

   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 […]

   by  Shane Global Language Centres  Welcome back to #langchat! Last week, participants met to chat about essential grammar in a proficiency-based classroom. They discussed what makes a language structure essential and how to decide which ones to teach, and when. Langchatters also shared challenges they have encountered when presenting essential structures, and what techniques have […]

   by  cityyear  Last week, Langchatters met to brainstorm how to create a culture of learning in the world language class when stakeholders are focused on traditional grades. They reflected on what a culture of learning looks like, shared strategies that contribute to such a classroom culture, and described steps that teachers can take to de-emphasize […]

Last week, #langchat participants took part in an energetic conversation about authentic resources – they discussed the selection process for students at different proficiency levels and what outcomes they expect, as well as ways ways to prepare students for engagement with authentic resources. To finish things off, Langchatters shared their strategies for supporting students as […]

   by  Army Medicine  Last week, #langchat participants met for a chat on standards-based grading. They began by defining this concept before discussing the kinds of assignments that should be graded in light of standards. Participants also shared suggestions about how to best communicate standards-based assessment practices to students and parents and how to develop standards-based […]