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In this in-person episode from the CI Mitten conference, Dr. Diane Neubauer and AnneMarie Chase joined me to talk about the multifaceted concept of student engagement in the world language classroom.

We uncover and challenge traditional views of engagement, offering innovative strategies and real-life applications that will inspire and empower educators.

**Show Notes:**

What is engagement?

• Diane Newbauer discusses her PhD research, providing a nuanced definition of engagement that includes cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral dimensions.
• Discussion on recognizing various forms of student engagement, supported by real classroom anecdotes.

Innovative Strategies for Engagement:

• Anne Marie Chase shares effective techniques for increasing student involvement, including physical activities, gamification, and novel games tailored for end-of-year excitement.
• Introduction of "Centric Circles" for oral assessment and a great way to celebrate progress, fostering a low-stress environment where students can express themselves freely.

Practical Ideas for the End of the Year:

• Explanation of a scavenger hunt activity that utilizes picture talks from the year, enhancing review and comprehension through an engaging, interactive format.
• Discussion of "Movie Talk," a strategy to enhance comprehension and engagement through narrated movie scenes, ideal for end-of-year learning.

Reflection:

• Reflective conversation on the importance of adapting teaching approaches to meet the diverse needs of students.
• Encouragement for educators to experiment with new methods, especially towards the end of the school year, to rejuvenate their classrooms and celebrate student progress.

This episode serves as a toolkit for educators aiming to enhance engagement in their classrooms through thoughtful, innovative, and practical strategies that resonate with both students and teachers alike.

Resources:

AnneMarie Chase Blogcito

Dr. Diane Neubauer’s Podcast: Conversations about Language Teaching

Audio: https://conversationsaboutlanguage.buzzsprout.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/@ConversationsaboutLanguage

Hiver, P., Al-Hoorie, A. H., & Mercer, S. (2020). Student engagement in the language classroom. Multilingual Matters.

Jacknick, C. M. (2021). Multimodal participation and engagement: Social interaction in the classroom. Edinburgh University Press.

Neubauer, D. (2022). Chinese Language Instruction with Novice Learners: Target   Language Topic Development, Engagement, and Comprehension in Online and Hybrid Classrooms. The University of Iowa.

More resources:

Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach

Free stories for Spanish teachers

🎉 FREE RESOURCE FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS!

“10 Ready-to-Use Station Activities to Keep Students Engaged!”

✅ Reading & Easy Tasks – Print & go!
✅ Engaging & Interactive – Keep students focused!
✅ Low-Prep & Time-Saving – Less work!

Perfect for those moments when students seem more distracted than ever. 

👉 Grab Your Free Resource Now!