Language Latte: A Podcast for World Language Teachers

In this episode we are looking at the growing number of opportunities for teachers - and students- of learning and teaching languages online. We are discussing the advantages and disadvantages, tips to be a successful online teacher, and the most popular platforms right now. Then we speak with T'helah Ben-Dan, who shares her thoughts on teaching Hebrew on-line.

What do research findings indicate about world language study and students with learning disabilities? Which strategies, instructional methods, and adaptations can we employ as language teachers to help all students reach their goals and achieve competence? After an introduction to current research, I speak with Dr. Irene Konyndyk, author of Foreign Languages for Everyone, who shares 8 really effective approaches for world language teachers to boost language learning for kids with learning differences.

The United Nations has declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages. It’s the perfect opportunity to look at the prevalence of indigenous languages around the world, plus best practices to overcome common hurdles. Then we speak with Quechua instructor Américo Mendoza-Mori, who describes the history of Quechua education, and how it is being taught today.

In this episode we are discussing motivating the students in our classrooms. As language teachers, we know that if students aren’t interested in the language we’re teaching, their progress will be stagnant, and their attitudes will affect the entire mood of the class. Motivation is at least as important as aptitude in acquisition.

Today, I examine a theory of motivation, and how we can apply them in education settings. Science- and experienced teachers- tell us what works to get kids motivated and inspired in class. Then I talk to Australian teacher Simone Baluch, who shares tips and activities she uses to get her learners excited, curious, and attentive in class.

Student-teacher relationships are critically important, yet they receive far less attention than academic performance indicators. The research overwhelmingly suggests that when teachers and students have positive relationships, and teachers show empathy, warmth, and encourage thinking and learning, we see the positive effect on cognitive student outcomes, increase in participation, and increases in self-esteem.

In this episode we are looking at the importance of teacher-students relationships, how they affect learning, and what the research says about community building in class. Then we speak with John Bracey, who shares activities he uses to build community, and how they have even helped with classroom management and behavior.

Today we are talking about creating video lessons to use in the classroom to provide comprehensible input, teach kids about culture, or focus on a specific use of grammar in a flipped classroom.

Media truly is one of the most valued tools in language teaching and learning. When we wield high interest videos, we can harness the power of curiosity, even in reserved students. Today we’re looking at how we can use video lessons- either in class or assigned videos for home- to give students another chance to understand the target language.

In this episode we are discussing the use of media in our classrooms. Photos and videos are excellent authentic resources, whether as curiosity-inducing speaking/writing prompts, a look into cultural insights, an introduction of vocabulary, or as a source of comprehensible input. We look at why and how media is effective in engaging students in class, and then you are going to love the 6 activities that Sarah Breckley shares in her interview.

Today we are talking about incorporating global education in the classroom with simple ideas to connect with classrooms around the world and implement global and cultural learning now.

We are discussing what is known as “global education,” integrating lessons about world culture and human geography into our lessons which leads to global competency. It is undeniable that our world is more interconnected than ever. We’ll look at what global competence means, and how world language classes offer such a clear path to competency in a new culture and a portal to understanding the wider world. Then, in my interview with Homa Tavangar, we discuss easy global education tools to get started.

Check out The Global Education Toolkit for Elementary Learners for countless hands-on activities to increase cultural awareness and global learning.

Finally, don't miss the Kid World Citizen teachers pay teachers store, packed with fun activities that teach kids about the world.

World language teachers at the elementary level are often in the unique circumstance of teaching the entire school, with just a limited time each week. World language teachers at all levels face the challenge of teaching and building community and managing their classes in a language that the students don’t all understand yet.

In this episode we are discussing classroom management: keeping kids on task, engaged, and acquiring the language. We look at setting up the rules, expectations, and routines in class, plus introduce the Responsive Classroom, and then I interview Julie Speno is a K-4 Spanish Teacher in Maine, in her 25th year teaching languages.

In this episode we are discussing music in the world language classroom: the connection between music and language has been studied extensively, and teachers have used music successfully in their classrooms for decades. We’ll look at the benefits of using music with our students, plus go over tons of ideas of activities using music in class. Let’s first look at what the research says about music and language learning- and learning in general- and then I’ll interview Elisabeth Alvarado, a Spanish teacher who transformed her classroom when she changed the way she incorporated music in her lessons. Elisabeth shares 5 ways to use music in class, with tons of example activities for different ages!