Language Latte: A Podcast for World Language Teachers

In this episode we are discussing our students, and how to keep them in our language programs through the advanced levels.

We will talk a bit about what schools are doing to retain students, and then I'll interview Casey Chon, who is studying Arabic education at Boston University. She's going to share her ideas on keeping our student numbers up and our language programs growing.

We're talking about using IPAs (Integrated Performance Assessments) in the language classroom. IPAs are a classroom-based performance assessment model developed by ACTFL to assess the progress that language students are making towards proficiency. We'll look at the 3 tiers of an IPA, the rubrics, and how to use them in class to get an overview of students' proficiency as learners are attempting to understand, interpret, and analyze when they are reading, hearing, or seeing.

In this episode we are discussing the role of reading in the world language classroom: there are a myriad of benefits our students get from reading in the target language.

We'll look at how teachers are getting students to read for pleasure, reading topics of interest and books of their own choosing; learn about the power of reading as a necessary input activity in our students' journey towards proficiency. Plus we'll talk about classroom libraries, and engaging activities that can be done in tandem.

Finally, I'll interview A. C. Quintero, a high school Spanish teacher who has authored multiple books for language learners.

In this episode we are discussing new teachers: whether they are new to the profession, new to the school, new to the content, or even teachers who are trying out a new method.

What are the key action items new teachers can do to relieve stress, and have a manageable work-life balance? What is the role schools play in supporting new teachers, and the best types of support we can offer our new colleagues? Looking at attrition rates- why is this support important and necessary? Let's first look at what the research says about supporting new teachers, plus best practices, and then I'll interview Diego Ojeda- a teacher with 30 years of experience in classrooms from Colombia to the US.

How- and why- should world language teachers incorporate the diverse cultures that speak the languages we are teaching? Does social justice play a role in language classrooms? A look at the current research on culturally inclusive classrooms, and how teachers can show our students that their experiences, and their voices matter. Dr Hines-Gaither helps us examine how we can reach the students we teach, and how we can diversify the content we use.

In this episode we are getting an introduction to Comprehensible Input. It's not just having students "listen" to the target language, it's providing them with input that is specialized and conducive for language acquisition. What does the research have to say the importance of comprehensible input? What are the benefits of maintaining a comprehensible classroom? How can we transition into using CI if our school has a prescribed curriculum and set of assessments?

Let's first look at what the research says about second language acquisition and comprehensible input, and then I'll interview Tina Hargaden, an engaging Spanish and French teacher with an outstanding comprehensible classroom. Tina shares why she is textbook free and uses CI in conjunction with her curriculum, plus her best CI tips for teachers who shy away from being the bubbly, entertainer in front of the class, and how she shares with her students their language growth and progress.

In this episode, we are focusing on reaching language learners' needs. Often cases, the students we are referring to are immigrants, refugees, or expats- students who are trying to learn the majority language of the school or community. These students often are in mainstream classes, and then are pulled either to a special language class, or pulled to receive one on one services, for example in reading or writing.

Today we're speaking with a support teacher who understand what it is like to learn a new language, and live in a new culture. Ana Elisa Miranda is from Brazil but lives in Belgium. She works as a learning support and ESL teacher at a primary international school. Ana Elisa shares strategies to use with language learners to support their language journey.

We are talking about dual language programs: what they are, what they aren't, challenges to overcome, and the necessary features to make them successful. From research to the best practices, I interview a principal who shares how he has been developing his successful dual language program.

We are on episode 6, and today we are talking about ACTFL: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. We are looking at the mission of ACTFL and their role in supporting world language teachers. What are their Can-Do statements and proficiency guidelines and how can teachers use them in their classes?

Today I am interviewing Victoria Gilbert, an experienced Spanish and French teacher who is the world language chair at a private K-8 school in New York City.

Let's dive into the innovative, high-quality tools ACTFL has written to meet the needs of language educators and students, and then we'll take a look at how teachers can utilize them in class.

This is part 2 of our series on early language learners.

Early childhood and elementary teachers have different ways and tricks to reach this younger crowd- but what does the research have to say? How can we teach early language learners a new language while they are still developing their first language? If we are meeting students where they are, can we expect our younger students to begin communicating in both languages? What kind of activities are really fun, and keep the kids active and engaged?

Let's first look at what the research says about early language learners and best practices, and then I'll interview Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, a dynamic Mandarin Chinese language teacher who has experience teaching kids around the world. She shares 6 concrete tips for teaching early language learners.