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Asking students to speak in a new language can feel like asking them to step on stage without a script. We dig into why anxiety hits world language classrooms harder than most, then share nine practical ways to make participation feel safe, predictable, and—dare we say—enjoyable. Drawing on resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the International OCD Foundation, we translate research into clear moves you can use tomorrow: stable routines, visible agendas, partner‑first interactions, and quick one‑to‑one check‑ins that remove the burden of self‑advocacy from anxious learners.

We walk through how validation works without lowering expectations, how to slow the pace without losing momentum, and why generous recycling of input is not remedial—it’s the core of acquisition. You’ll learn how to bake stress relief into your class culture with box breathing and short regulation breaks, and how to design predictable, proficiency‑oriented assessments that mirror your daily practice. No pop‑quiz panic, no mystery formats—just small, routine checks that show growth in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Along the way, we share sample prompts, participation flows that replace cold calling with safer partner talk, and simple benchmarks to gauge when to pause and reinforce.

If you’ve ever wondered whether quiet means apathetic (spoiler: it often means anxious), this conversation offers a humane toolkit to lift the affective filter and raise target language use. Expect tangible ideas you can plug into your syllabus, from weekly agendas to rotation plans for targeted relationship building. Subscribe for more practical strategies, share this with a colleague who needs a calmer class, and leave a quick review so we can reach more teachers who want safer, braver language learning spaces.

RESOURCES FOR UNDERSTANDING STUDENT ANXIETY: 

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/newsletters/january-2020/coping-with-student-anxiety

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-factsheet.html

https://anxietyintheclassroom.org/school-system/resources-for-school-personnel/how-to-talk-to-your-students/

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/school-health/mental-health-in-schools/supporting-students-with-anxiety-in-school/?srsltid=AfmBO

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Grammar—the eternal battleground of language education. Is it the foundation of language learning or a distraction from real communication? In this eye-opening exploration, we cut through decades of misinformation to reveal what research actually shows about grammar's role in language acquisition.

Drawing directly from ACTFL's guiding principles, we examine the surprising truth: "explicit teaching of grammar has little effect on people's language acquisition, comprehension or writing abilities." This doesn't mean grammar is irrelevant, but its place in our classrooms demands serious reconsideration.

You'll discover why "linear grammar"—that neat textbook progression from present to past to future tense—completely misaligns with how our brains actually acquire language. Through fascinating examples (like why third-person "-s" in English is mastered so late despite being "basic"), you'll understand why frequency and meaningful context matter more than grammatical simplicity.

For those who love analyzing language (and as teachers, many of us do!), we offer practical guidance on finding balance. Learn when grammar instruction becomes genuinely useful (hint: it's not at the beginning), how to shift from grammar-driven to communication-centered teaching, and why creating "play time" with language might be the most valuable gift you can give your students.

Whether you're struggling to move beyond traditional grammar-focused instruction or seeking validation for a more communicative approach, this episode provides the research-backed perspective needed to make confident instructional decisions. Transform your understanding of what truly drives language acquisition and discover how grammar can support—rather than dominate—the joyful journey toward proficiency.

Join our community of forward-thinking language educators by subscribing to the Practical Proficiency Podcast and accessing additional resources at LaLibreLanguageLearning.com.

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Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

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Let's connect:

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The proper role of grammar in proficiency-oriented instruction requires a mindset shift from traditional approaches to one that aligns with what research tells us about language acquisition.

Watch the episode on youtube here: https://youtu.be/zo1ys4aCh5A

• Grammar isn't driving your language program—it has the snacks while you decide the direction based on student proficiency levels and goals
• Understanding grammar does not lead to acquisition, but helps make existing language more accurate
• Pop-up grammar offers quick, contextual explanations when students notice patterns without extensive practice or assessment
• Inductive grammar engages students in discovering patterns themselves, which improves retention and understanding
• A three-week grammar bootcamp provides a transition strategy for teachers in grammar-heavy departments
• Treating grammar as functional chunks (like teaching "je voudrais" instead of the entire conditional tense) works well until intermediate levels
• Accuracy becomes more important in years 3-4 when students have enough language to refine
• Canadian research shows input-only programs still need some accuracy focus at the right time

Submit your questions about proficiency, grammar, or creating communicative classroom environments through this link: https://airtable.com/appOp9IY7Ah77oYup/pagpRzuEqAVZgBnrk/form

and I'll answer them on the show! 

Check out the ACTFL Levels Series episodes here: 

Novice Low: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2318898/episodes/15045273

Novice Mid: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2318898/episodes/15045294

Novice High: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2318898/episodes/15152805

Intermediate Low: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2318898/episodes/15827515

Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

or go to lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

Let's connect:

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Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

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and I'll answer them on the show!

Send us a text

This is a special insider episode where you get to see what it's like to be a part of the Practical Proficiency Network! Join us for this amazing insider look and masterclass workshop on target language. 

Find out more about the Practical Proficiency Network here: https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/join-practical-proficiency-network

This workshop reveals 15 common mistakes language teachers make when using target language and provides practical solutions to create a more immersive, interactive classroom experience.

• Avoid making interaction a memory test by focusing on successful communication rather than vocabulary recall
• Interrupt yourself every 30-60 seconds to check for understanding through questions, visuals, or activities
• Shift from content obsession to student-focused interactions by being a "party host" instead of just covering material
• Create a "pool party" environment with appropriate scaffolding instead of throwing students into an overwhelming "ocean" of language
• Celebrate language attempts instead of constantly correcting errors, especially with beginning learners
• Focus on making everyday classroom moments happen in the target language rather than worrying about exceptional circumstances
• Slow down curriculum pacing to allow students to play with and internalize language before moving to new content
• Make cultural lessons more accessible through comprehensible resources rather than defaulting to English
• Keep classroom routines consistent to build confidence in target language use
• Match assessments to classroom practices by evaluating interactive communication rather than just form

If you'd like more support implementing these strategies, join the Practical Proficiency Network for regular workshops, resources, and a community of language teachers committed to effective teaching practices.

Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

or go to lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

Let's connect:

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Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

Submit your questions about proficiency, grammar, or creating communicative classroom environments through this link: https://airtable.com/appOp9IY7Ah77oYup/pagpRzuEqAVZgBnrk/form

and I'll answer them on the show!

Send us a text

Ever wondered why teaching Spanish to middle schoolers requires such a unique approach? In this episode, we dive deep with Brooks from Sonrisas Spanish into the fascinating developmental sweet spot of middle school language learning.

Brooks from Sonrisas Spanish is here today to chat all things middle school Spanish curriculum and classroom techniques like TPR Storytelling to promote acquisition in a way that works for younger learners, from Pre-K, Elementary, and middle school Spanish. 

Sonrisas Spanish has gained this experience through providing unique Spanish curriculum tools designed especially for elementary and middle school Spanish. 

Get a free sample Spanish curriculum unit from Sonrisas Spanish: https://www.sonrisasspanishschool.com/request-free-sample/

WATCH THE EPISODE VIDEO HERE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/ujRAGr7M6LY

Find out more about Sonrisas Spanish: 
Sonrisas Spanish empowers you to improve student outcomes, increase student engagement, and have fun teaching Spanish—while you save time planning.

The journey begins with Brooks sharing how he and his wife transformed their bilingual education background into a Spanish curriculum that has evolved over decades of classroom experience. What started as after-school programs blossomed into a comprehensive K-8 curriculum built on sound pedagogical principles and real-world efficacy.

Middle school students exist in that remarkable transition space—no longer responding to elementary methods but not yet ready for high school approaches. Brooks reveals the "acquire, develop, learn" methodology that guides the Sonrisas curriculum, explaining how younger students naturally acquire language through play-based activities before middle schoolers are developmentally ready to learn the "how and why" behind grammar concepts they've already internalized.

The magic of their middle school approach lies in thoughtful structure combined with engaging teaching methods. Each thematic unit follows a consistent 10-lesson sequence incorporating culture, grammar instruction

Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

or go to lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

Let's connect:

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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

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Ever felt like the lone Spanish teacher on an island, wondering if everyone else has figured out the secret to effortless curriculum mapping? You're not alone. In this heartfelt conversation, veteran teacher Diane opens up about her 23-year journey teaching Spanish and the transformative power of finding professional community.

Today, I have a very special guest for you - Diane! Diane is an experienced Spanish teacher in a small private school. She is retiring this year and has spent the past year in my membership, the Practical Proficiency Network. 

Get more info and join the PPN here: www.lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

This video is all about her unique story of building a Spanish program from scratch, using VOCES and story-based teaching, and her unique and wonderful opportunity to hire and teach her program's successor teacher. Both of these wonderful Spanish teachers work with me in the Practical Proficiency Network. Diane is here today to share her story and her experiences in the PPN. 

*** disclosure: Diane volunteered to share her honest opinion of the membership and was gifted a free month of membership in exchange for this testimonial.***

Diane candidly shares her struggles with curriculum planning across multiple course levels, the pressure to cover textbook material, and the nagging question all language teachers face: are my students actually acquiring language or just memorizing vocabulary lists? Her story resonates with anyone who's ever closed their classroom door at the end of a challenging day wondering if other teachers face the same battles.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Diane reveals her upcoming transition to mission work in El Salvador and her current role mentoring her successor. This unique arrangement highlights the profound impact of teacher-to-teacher support and the ripple effects of professional development. When Diane discovered resources that validated her experiences and offered practical strategies, she immediately advocated for her replacement to have access to the same community.

What emerges is a powerful remin

Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

or go to lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

Let's connect:

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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

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Are you tired of watching your language students cram for final exams only to forget everything a week later? It's time to revolutionize your assessment approach with something that actually measures what matters: what students can DO with the language they've acquired.

Get the portfolio only available in the Practical Proficiency Curriculum here: 

https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/practical-proficiency-curriculum-world-language-info

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/XuyxCX5MCFU

In this episode, I unpack how replacing traditional final exams with carefully designed portfolios creates authentic assessment opportunities that mirror real-world language use. Rather than testing isolated vocabulary and grammar points under pressure, portfolios allow students to demonstrate their genuine language capabilities through evidence collected throughout their learning journey.

The beauty of the portfolio approach lies in its flexibility and authenticity. You'll discover how to create a simple framework based on 15-30 targeted can-do statements that represent your course's essential skills. Whether you've meticulously saved student work all year or need to help students recreate evidence during those chaotic final weeks, I provide practical strategies for implementation that won't overwhelm you or your students.

What makes portfolios particularly powerful is how they transform student mindsets. When learners know they'll ultimately showcase their skills in a comprehensive collection, they approach each unit with greater intention and retention. This creates a cumulative learning experience rather than the compartmentalized "learn-test-forget" cycle typical of traditional courses. Plus, portfolios provide redemption opportunities for students who struggled earlier in the year but have since developed proficiency.

The portfolio approach also solves many end-of-year challenges: it provides meaningful work during days with spotty attendance, reduces the "checking out" phenomenon that leads to behavior issues, and eliminates the stress of high-stakes testing. By foc

Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

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Let's connect:

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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

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and I'll answer them on the show!

Send us a text

The "And You" game transforms speaking practice in world language classrooms, helping students overcome anxiety while having fun with movement and authentic communication.

• Based on a college orientation icebreaker game that needs minimal preparation
• Students form a circle with placeholders, with one person in the middle making a statement
• Anyone who shares that trait must find a new spot, creating movement and engagement
• Works with any language unit - from basic likes/dislikes to clothing, food, or complex topics
• Offers scaffolding for shy students through group responses and visual supports
• Requires sufficient comprehensible input before asking students to produce language
• Can be adapted for any proficiency level by adjusting complexity of required statements
• Most effective when kept short (about 10 minutes) and followed by discussion
• Turns the class community into authentic content for language learning

Email me at [email protected] with your favorite speaking activities!

Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

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Let's connect:

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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

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Send us a text

Planning a world language unit doesn't have to be a solo mission - this episode offers a detailed walkthrough of teaching adverbs of frequency with a proficiency-oriented approach. I share my exact five-day plan for introducing, practicing, and assessing this grammar concept in a way that follows the natural language acquisition process.

• Following the gradual release model from input to output
• Day 1: Introducing adverbs of frequency through personalized teacher examples
• Day 2: Contextualizing input through categorization and notebook activities
• Day 3: Incorporating games, songs, and authentic texts with techniques like running dictation
• Day 4: Beginning scaffolded production with information gap activities
• Day 5: Extensive practice through "speed dating" activities followed by assessment
• Designed for block scheduling but adaptable to different contexts
• Perfect for novice high and intermediate low proficiency levels
• Opportunities to recycle previously learned vocabulary while introducing new concepts

Submit your question here

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

or go to lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

Let's connect:

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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

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Language teachers everywhere face the same challenge: how do we create units that actually lead to acquisition instead of just memorization? The answer lies in understanding how our brains naturally process and store language.

In this eye-opening episode, I break down the six-phase structure that every successful proficiency-based unit must follow. Starting with context-rich input (the "glue" that makes language stick in students' brains), we explore how declarative versus procedural knowledge explains why students can sometimes recite grammar rules perfectly but freeze during conversations.

You'll discover why rushing through the comprehension phase is a critical mistake that prevents true acquisition, and why many teachers unwittingly sabotage their students' progress by skipping essential steps in the acquisition process. I share practical, classroom-tested strategies for each phase - from input introduction through comprehension, gradual output release, authentic contexts, presentational practice, and finally to meaningful interpersonal communication.

Using comparisons as our example structure, I demonstrate how to adapt this framework for both brand-new concepts and reviewing previously introduced language. You'll learn how to determine appropriate timing for each phase based on your specific teaching context and student needs, rather than arbitrary pacing guides.

Whether you're teaching novice learners or advanced students, this structural framework provides the scaffold your proficiency-oriented units need. Stop wondering why your students struggle to use language they've "learned" and start designing units that follow the brain's natural pathways to language acquisition.

Have you tried structuring your units this way? Share your experiences in the comments or on social media using #PracticalProficiency. And if this episode helped you, please leave a review to help other teachers discover these strategies!

Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

or go to lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
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TPT
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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

Submit your questions about proficiency, grammar, or creating communicative classroom environments through this link: https://airtable.com/appOp9IY7Ah77oYup/pagpRzuEqAVZgBnrk/form

and I'll answer them on the show!