Practical Proficiency Podcast

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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.

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
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! 

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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

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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! 

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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! 

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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 Fan Mail

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! 

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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 Fan Mail

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

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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 Fan Mail

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

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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 Fan Mail

Intermediate Low is the most misunderstood proficiency level. Let's dive in with a teacher-friendly description of what your intermediate lows can actually do with language. We'll also talk about how to adapt your curriculum to better serve your novice highs to transition into intermediate low.

The new ACTFL Proficiency guidelines for 2024 are HERE! This final episode in the ACTFL levels series comes from a common listener question - what level should my students be in and how do I know that?  Let's talk about what Intermediate Low actually looks like and what it means for your world language program.

Check the ACTFL 2024 Proficiency Guidelines here 

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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 Fan Mail

The Practical & Comprehensible conference is back for 2024!
Meet presenter Kia D. London to hear more about her awesome presentation and focus on teacher longevity and maintaining joy, especially as an introverted middle school teacher transitioning to high school.


Sign up for this free conference July 29-31 here:
https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/a/2147894883/GJRfMpay

#affiliatelink
this is an affiliate link for Kia - this means you will be directly supporting her work by registering for the conference through this link, at no cost to you. The conference is FREE after all!


Connect with Kia London: 
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

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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 Fan Mail

The Practical & Comprehensible conference is back for 2024! 
Meet presenter Pav of Fle avec Mme D to hear more about her awesome presentation and focus on beating teacher burnout through her journey of having no designated prep time since covid hit her classroom. 


Sign up for this free conference July 29-31 here: https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/a/2147894883/hcrEUR9b

#affiliatelink 
this is an affiliate link for Pav - this means you will be directly supporting her work by registering for the conference through this link, at no cost to you. The conference is FREE after all!


Connect with Pav of FLE avec Mme D: 
https://fleavecmmed.com 
https://www.instagram.com/fleavecmmed/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/3784502934939511/   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fle-Avec-Mmed

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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 Fan Mail

The Practical & Comprehensible conference is back for 2024!
Meet presenter Allison Perryman of The Cultural Classroom to hear more about her awesome presentation and focus on social justice, representation, and identity self-exploration through culture in her Spanish class.
 @theculturalclassroom  

Sign up for this free conference July 29-31 here: https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/a/2147894883/H5yebP4L

#affiliatelink 
this is an affiliate link for Allison - this means you will be directly supporting her work by registering for the conference through this link, at no cost to you. The conference is FREE after all!


Connect with Allison Perryman of the Cultural Classroom: 
theculturalclassroom.blog 
https://www.instagram.com/theculturalclassrm/ https://www.facebook.com/TheCulturalClassroom   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Cultural-Classroom-By-Sra-Perryman  
https://www.youtube.com/@theculturalclassroom

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

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!