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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

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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!

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Patience trumps perfection when transitioning to proficiency-based language instruction, as veteran Spanish teacher Kia London reveals in this enlightening conversation about her journey teaching at a new school. With 19 years of experience across all grade levels K-12, Kia brings genuine wisdom about adjusting instructional pace to meet students where they are—without compromising high expectations for target language use.

Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/eknSSQBX4xA

Connect with Kia London: 
bit.ly/klondon
trailblazeintolanguagelearning.com https://www.instagram.com/clases_de_london/?hl=en  https://www.facebook.com/groups/culturallydiverseequitablecurriculum  https://twitter.com/MaestraLondon  https://www.tiktok.com/@kdl_trailblaze https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf2Rcb0xkR7R8_lLbt5dB4g

When Kia moved to her current high school (coincidentally her alma mater), she faced a significant challenge: students unaccustomed to the 90%+ target language environment she cultivates. Rather than lowering expectations, she embraced a semester-long process of scaffolding, repetition, and strategic classroom design to bring students along. Her detailed approach to creating visual supports, recognizing student feedback cues, and building a classroom culture where "I don't understand" is welcomed rather than feared provides practical takeaways for teachers at any stage of their proficiency journey.

The conversation explores the delicate balance of pushing students beyond their comfort zone while being responsive to their needs. Kia shares specific strategies that transformed initial resistance into engagement—like reducing homework load to improve quality, modeling activities before practice, and using station work to foster peer support. Most inspiring is her celebration of student growth beyond language acquisition itself, as she witnesses learners developing confidence, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

For teachers struggling with the messy middle of proficiency implementation, Kia's mantra that "consistency beats perfect" offers refreshing permission to embrace the journey rather than expect overnight transformation. Connect with Kia's wealth of resources at bitly.com/KLondon and implement her practical wisdom in your own language classroom tomorrow.

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The ability to describe people - both physically and by personality - isn't just another vocabulary list in your world language curriculum. It's a pivotal developmental milestone on your students' language journey, marking their transition from me-centered language to a broader world of expression.

Devon Gunning breaks down why description skills serve as the defining characteristic separating novice low, mid, and high levels according to the latest ACTFL Performance Descriptors. 

 This episode provides age-appropriate strategies for making description relevant and engaging, with practical activities you can implement immediately: celebrity "Guess Who" games, dating app profiles for fictional characters, picture talks, and multimodal matching activities that provide abundant comprehensible input.

For Romance language teachers, Devon offers a refreshing perspective on teaching grammatical gender - skip the extensive rules and instead provide pattern-rich input that allows students to discover the patterns themselves. 

Resources Mentioned: 

French 1 Physical Descriptions Task Cards

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/French-1-Physical-Description-Vocabulary-Adjective-Agreement-Games-10690811

Practical Proficiency Curriculum with Units: https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/practical-proficiency-curriculum-world-language-info

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The moment a language student first connects with a native speaker is electric—that realization that "I can actually do this!" This transformative experience is precisely why students enroll in language classes, yet ironically, interpersonal communication often receives the least classroom time.

Devon Gunning dives deep into this paradox, examining why speaking activities frequently take a backseat to reading and writing in world language classrooms. Beyond the obvious classroom management challenges, she reveals how educational priorities have shifted toward literacy-focused initiatives at the expense of authentic communication practice.

Drawing from years of classroom experience teaching Spanish and French, Devon shares practical strategies for integrating more interpersonal activities without creating management nightmares. From structured speaking quizzes and info gap activities to classroom passwords and human scavenger hunts, these approaches work even for novice-level learners. Her innovative "Soul Train" and "Speed Dating" techniques provide frameworks that make speaking practice engaging rather than intimidating.

The key mindset shift? Viewing yourself as a "party host" rather than a traditional teacher—someone who facilitates connections between students through compelling questions and scaffolded support. Devon walks through a gradual confidence-building approach, starting with small groups before moving to pairs and eventually individual responses.

This episode challenges the conventional wisdom of language education, arguing that the most valuable skills are often the hardest to assess—and that we must prioritize them anyway. "You cannot drill communicative ability," Devon reminds us, quoting Bill VanPatten. "It develops when we find ourselves in communicative contexts."

Ready to revolutionize your language classroom? Devon's practical challenge to carve out just 10% more time for interpersonal communication could transform your students' language acquisition journey. Listen now to discover how making speaking the "secret sauce" of your instruction can ignite student engagement and proficiency.

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Step into the vibrant world of Carnaval! In this UNIT IDEAS mini-episode, we explore how this much-beloved celebration transcends mere festivities to become a powerful teaching tool for world language educators. Carnaval is not just a festival but a rich cultural phenomenon that allows students to connect with diverse traditions and identities. 

From the historical origins of Carnaval to the various ways it’s celebrated across the globe, we dive deep into cultural narratives that shape identities. Learn how to creatively incorporate Carnaval into your language lessons with a list of ready-to-use ideas for your next Carnaval culture unit!

 Don’t forget to share your thoughts and subscribe for more enriching content!

Resources and links mentioned: 

Carnaval de Québec Virtual Field Trip

Martinique Virtual Field Trip

Mardi Gras High-Frequency Reading 

Dominican Republic Carnaval Virtual Field Trip

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Ready to transform your language classroom with the power of music? Discover how Roxxem, an innovative platform co-founded by Shawn Lee, is changing the game for language educators. By turning popular songs into engaging lessons, Roxxem offers flexible resources that enhance student participation, improve listening skills, and deepen cultural understanding. From complete lesson plans to quick activities that energize the classroom, Shawn shares how these music-infused tools make language learning memorable and culturally enriching.

Sign up for Roxxem for FREE here* (affiliate link) 

Ever wondered how a song could ignite a lifelong passion for languages? Tune in to learn about the incredible impact of music in Spanish classes, as we share personal stories of cultural curiosity sparked by the hits like Manu Chao's "Me Gustas Tu." Music doesn't just teach vocabulary; it connects students to a world beyond the textbook, encouraging them to explore and embrace new cultures. With Roxxem’s vast array of resources, educators can seamlessly integrate music into their curriculum, providing students with an unforgettable learning journey and genuine cultural connections.

Explore the transformative potential of Roxxem's platform, featuring customizable tools like Whack-A-Word and Lyric Puzzle. Shawn guides us through the platform's robust search function, which helps educators find the perfect song for their classroom needs. From beginner to advanced learners, Roxxem offers comprehensive resources that save teachers hours of planning, ensuring that music becomes a central, dynamic part of language education.

 Join us as we celebrate the fusion of music and teaching, and discover an exciting upcoming music challenge collaboration designed to take language learning to the next level!

*affiliate means that I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you choose to upgrade to premium. Thanks for helping to support the show! 

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Strong relationships is the first and most essential foundation to a target-language rich world language classroom. Tune in to see my top 10 tips for classroom management and building student relationships specific to world language teachers! 

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The Digigals, Jennifer and Theresa, have written a combined 120 novels for world language classes. Listen with us as the Digilangua creators, known as the Digigals in their dynamic duo, answer real community questions from the Practical Proficiency Network teachers about how to better use novels in the target language to promote literacy and acquisition in world language. 

Check out Digilangua - an e-reader platform for comprehensible novels: https://www.digilangua.net/

Watch the video version of the podcast here

Digilangua is the official novel partner of the Practical Proficiency Network! 
Get exclusive discounts on your Digilangua readers when you join the Practical Proficiency Network here: lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

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Ever wondered: am I teaching the right things? How do I know that my units are getting the job done?
This episode mini-series on unit and skills to include in each level was inspired by a common question from the Practical Proficiency Network membership.

Here, we'll dive into years 1 & 2 of your world language program.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF UNIT IDEAS HERE

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