by  iz.mendoza 

To quote @SraSpanglish, “Is it just me, or has #langchat been increasing in awesomeness the last couple of weeks?” Last Thursday night, Langchatters were at it again, sharing advice in a whirlwind of tweets until their phones and laptops gave out on them (@SenoraCMT: “Phone battery dying! Time to say goodnight!”; @Marishawkins: “Another great #langchat and my laptop battery is dead!”), and participants were feeling the #langchat love (@MmeFarab : “The #langchat community makes me feel so loved/supported”)! The conversation focused on how instructors can increase their use of the target language in the classroom, especially with novices. In case you got lost in all of the tweets, your weekly #langchat summary has got you covered!

Thank you to everyone who participated last Thursday and a special thanks to our moderators, Colleen (@CoLeeSensei), Cristy (@msfrenchteach), and Kris (@KrisClimer), and Sara-Elizabeth (@SECottrell), for managing yet another lively #langchat!

Increasing use of the target language (TL) in your classroom can be a challenge, and Langchatters were eager to discuss challenges and share valuable tips!

No one said it would be easy… Challenges in Increasing TL Instruction

Langchatters commiserated on the difficulties faced by those who strive to increase instruction in the TL.

1. Student Anxiety: @katchiringa wrote, “Kids might not understand, or feel anxious about not understanding everything,” but added that “getting students comfortable with uncertainty is a huge focus in my classroom–it’s a life skill!”

2. Student Reluctance: @Portenogringo observed that a lack of comprehension might compel students to resist TL instruction: “Students resisting/not participating because of not understanding.” @cforchini fears becoming known as the ‘Target language police’: “How can I convince [students] that I’m not / don’t want to be the Target language police? Some classes [are] so reluctant to use TL.”

3. Behavior Management in the TL: Participants agreed that behavioral issues were difficult to address in the TL. @HolaSrHoward wrote, “managing off task behavior in the TL is a challenge,” and @SenoraDiamond55 emphasized just how big of a challenge we’re dealing with (“Class management in TL is definitely a HUGE challenge”). For @placido, dealing with behavior issues warrants slipping out of the TL: “I manage behavior quietly, on the side, and in very serious ENGLISH. This is not [a language] teaching moment.”

4. Comprehensible Input: Remember our chat from two weeks ago? Finding your formula for comprehensible input can make TL instruction more of a challenge. Participants emphasized the need for simple language at the novice level and use of cognates, when possible. @Marishawkins commented, “Sometimes it is difficult for me to think of the word that they know better and make sure it is comprehensible.”

5. Lack of Support from Colleagues/Administration: Maybe your school does not seem to support all or almost all instruction in the TL. @MmeFarab wrote, “I think I’m the only teacher in the [department] that’s considering it [most all instruction in the TL]. And I don’t know if I have admin backing.”

6. Keeping Your TL ‘Up to Date’: @CoLeeSensei pointed out another challenge that instructors face: “And we must be finding ways to continue to keep our own language up to date. Big challenge sometimes.”

7. Staying Energized: Coffee, anyone? Instruction in the TL requires a lot of energy. Many teachers commented on the need for adequate rest and plenty of coffee to ensure they have the energy needed to meet TL teaching goals.

Ready to put on your immersion suit? Here are some tips!

In addition to highlighting some of the challenges that instructors face in providing students with a good deal of instruction in the TL, Langchatters offered useful tips for those ready to take the dive!

Kris (@KrisClimer) shared some resources to get the conversation going.

• The position statement of ACTFL on 90% TL use: http://t.co/1Z65VRggMv
• An ACTFL article with suggestions on how to get to 90%: http://t.co/563k3azOc0
• An article on TL use in the classroom (covering what researchers say, what teachers say, benefits and challenges, and strategies): http://t.co/oi7uJ00N0m

Langchatters were quickly off and running, eager to share strategies and words of encouragement with their fellow instructors. Here’s what they had to say!

1. Keep It Simple! Make TL Input Comprehensible: @placido advised Langchatters to “keep VOCAB simple. Add some new each day.” @ekdahljames encouraged instructors to keep TL use not only simple but “slooow.” @placido added, “Use lots of cognates [with] novices. [Writing a] word in [the] TL also increases comprehension.” @SraSpanglish highlighted other techniques for comprehensible input: “Go through synonyms, writing it in L2, then gestures, then images if possible.”

2. Establish Common Classroom Vocabulary: @Thecrazyprofe wrote, “I taught them instruction words (write, explain, etc.) at the beginning of the year. Rarely have problems giving directions” and later added, “I have these common commands printed [with pictures] and posted above the board! These are important.” @SraSpanglish establishes core classroom vocabulary, which she uses and primes her students to take up: “ if I focus on the 10 basic verbs, it’ll encourage them to use language within their grasp [as opposed to relying on a] dictionary.” She notes that they “can do almost anything [with] gusta, quiere, tiene, es/son, necesita, hay, va.” @senoraCMT replied, “that was a GREAT change in my class! Ditching the dictionaries! Much better circumlocution and use of TL.” Instructors can model circumlocution in the TL and encourage their students to work with the resources at their disposal.

3. Encourage Clarification Requests: As mentioned above, use of the TL may make students feel anxious. In order to reduce their potential discomfort, you can remind students that you don’t expect total comprehension. @SenoraDiamond55 said, “I constantly reiterate: you don’t have to understand every word.” Further, you can continue TL instruction, while allowing students to stop you when they feel lost. @placido wrote, “I have a gesture [students] use that means ‘I don’t understand.’ I praise when they stop me! Forces me to keep class comprehensible!”

4. Make TL Use a Contest (for students and yourself!): Make TL use a game in your classroom (i.e. Who can keep it up longest?)… with consequences. Some teachers have implemented a “pay me” system, which requires students to hand over classroom money when caught speaking English. Other teachers take part in TL contests of their own by timing themselves with a stopwatch to see how long each class can have their teacher stay in TL. @HolaSrHoward also uses competition: “my classes compete to see how long they can stay on task while I’m in TL.” Check out some sample results that he shared: https://t.co/FN6WrvuX1I! Of course, you can always hold yourself accountable. One teacher mentioned  that she promises to bake brownies if students can catch 10 instances of the teacher’s English (non-TL) usage during a class.

5. The English box… Yes, you read that correctly! The English box seemed to merit a comment in its own right. @Portenogringo wrote, “Next year I’m going to use an ‘English box’…a corner in the room. If English is needed, gotta stand in the box.” It quickly became apparent that @Portenogringo was not the only one with an English box in the classroom. @SenoraWienhold commented, “we have an English box in my room. Worked well for a while but have to be consistent.” It seems that even the presence of an unused box can make a statement! @MmeFarab chimed in: “Yes! I actually have the box on my floor right now, not using currently. Though the box gets a lot of attention.” Going to step outside of the TL, instructors? Consider relegating English (literally) to a corner in your classroom.

6. Use Gestures, Act, Be Dramatic! As suggested in the post on comprehensible input, be (melo)dramatic in the TL! @crwmsteach summarized this point: “Gestures. Pointing. Acting.,” and @SenoraDiamond55 encouraged instructors to be bold: “Have NO shame. My [students] enjoy class more when I am over the top. I thought part of being a [world language teacher requires] that you are a bit crazy?”

7. Be Patient (with your students and yourself!): If you’re looking to emphasize use of the TL in your classroom, @katchiringa starts the first day of class: “Day 1 is always all fun & comprehensible TL – sets the tone.” @senoraCMT replied, “definitely sets the tone! Leads to better [management] too [because] they know they have to use TL!” @KrisClimer starts first year classes asking, “‘where’s the best place to learn French.’ All respond, a French speaking place.” This confirms his intent to conduct class in the TL, despite challenges along the way: “All the reminder I need.”

This is not the first time that use of the target language has been featured in a #langchat! @SECottrell kindly shared links to previous summaries:

• “Target Language From Day 1: How to Keep High Levels of TL in Your Classroom” (August 2013): http://t.co/fKpyXJ2XXX
• “Strategies for Staying in the Target Language with Beginners” (October 2012): http://t.co/Q8mFPuwRL3
• Maximizing Target Language Use in the Classroom (May 2012): http://t.co/U1L0H5wZ99

Conclusion

Langchatters provided useful strategies for language teachers looking to increase instruction in the TL. They emphasized the importance of not only keeping input comprehensible, but they further encouraged instructors to foster an environment in which students feel comfortable voicing confusion. Instructors were called upon to be dramatic in the TL and to challenge themselves to use it as often as possible, with consequences for letting down their guard. More than anything, Langchatters remind language teachers to be patient with themselves and with their students. If you’re keen on increasing your use of the TL, take it easy! Langchatters agreed that we must not strive for perfection: “Remember this goal: be better today than you were yesterday. Perfection is not the goal!” (@placido).

Thank you

Thank you again to Colleen (@CoLeeSensei), Cristy (@msfrenchteach), Kris (@KrisClimer), and Sara-Elizabeth (@SECottrell) for moderating another fast-paced discussion. Due to space limitations, many tweets had to be omitted from this summary. To view the entire conversation, you can access the full transcript on our tweet archive.

If you have any comments or questions that you would like to share with the #langchat community, do not hesitate to do so. Please send us your ideas for future #langchats so that our weekly discussions can become as relevant and inclusive as possible!