World Language Classroom | Teaching Ideas, Activities and Strategies

#162
We talk a lot about making language comprehensible in our language classroom. This is essential now that we understand how critical this is to language acquisition. When students understand what they hear and read, they begin the acquisition process. It also boosts their confidence, making them more willing to participate and take risks in using the language. In this episode, we’ll explore practical strategies to help make the target language comprehensible for your students.

Topics in this Episode:

• High Leverage Teaching Practices from Enacting the Work of Language Instruction by Eileen Glisan and Richard Donato
• Comprehensibility is critical because it supports language acquisition. When students understand what they hear and read, they can engage more deeply and retain more information. It also boosts their confidence, making them more willing to participate and take risks in using the language.
• 5 strategies to build a  discourse community in your classroom, each with tips and examples
  1. Use of Visuals and Realia 
  2. Scaffolding Language
  3. Contextualize Vocabulary
  4. Engage Students with Interactive and Communicative Activities
  5. Provide Comprehensible Input (i+1).  Krashen’s hypothesis that language acquisition occurs when learners are exposed to language just above their current level.
• Episode 160: Create a Classroom Where Students Use the Target Language Confidently

**Be sure to download the The CI Toolbox. 15 Comprehensible Input (CI) activities for your language classroom to support comprehension and authentic engagement. These suggestions are a compilation of ideas shared on the World Language Classroom Podcast by me and many guests.

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#161
Is your world language classroom a welcoming space for students? Would you describe it as warm and welcoming? Can it be? Should it be? Is it helpful for learning? My guest today, Allison Perryman, sure believes that it is.  Allison joins me to discuss how she makes her Spanish classroom a warm and welcoming community where students feel recognized, valued, understood and ultimately completely supported by their classmates and teacher. This surely makes it a classroom incredibly conducive to language learning.

Topics in this Episode:

• what inspired Allison to focus on creating a warm and welcoming environment in her classroom
• examples of how a welcoming classroom environment has positively impacted student engagement and language learning outcomes
• the role relationships play in creating a warm classroom atmosphere, and how do you foster strong connections between students and between students and the teacher
• specific strategies for making your classroom feel inviting and inclusive for all students
• addressing and supporting the diverse cultural backgrounds of students to ensure everyone feels represented and valued
• Episode 78: Seeing, Hearing & Tasting Culture with Allison Perryman

Connect with Allison Perryman:

• YouTube: @TheCulturalClassroom
• Instagram:  @TheCulturalClassrm
• Facebook:  @TheCulturalClassroom
• Blog: TheCulturalClassroom.blog
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#160
What is a discourse community? Essentially, it’s a learning environment where students actively engage in meaningful communication, using the target language to interact, collaborate, and build relationships. It’s a space where every student’s voice is valued and encouraged. Is that what you would like to see in your classroom? I’m guessing you’re thinking, Yes!  But, how do we create this space for our students? In this episode I’ll give you five key strategies for building a discourse community in your classroom.

Topics in this Episode:

• High Leverage Teaching Practices from Enacting the Work of Language Instruction by Eileen Glisan and Richard Donato
• A classroom discourse community is a learning environment where students actively engage in meaningful communication, using the target language to interact, collaborate, and build relationships. It’s a space where every student’s voice is valued and encouraged
• 5 strategies to build a  discourse community in your classroom, each with tips and examples
  1. Establish Norms and Expectations 
  2. Promote Student Interaction
  3. Use Authentic and Meaningful Tasks
  4. Encourage Reflective Practice
  5. Model Effective Communication 

**Be sure to download the The CI Toolbox. 15 Comprehensible Input (CI) activities for your language classroom to support comprehension and authentic engagement. These suggestions are a compilation of ideas shared on the World Language Classroom Podcast by me and many guests. 

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#159
I have something that I want to share with you as we go into this new school year. If you know me you know that I have talked a lot about my experiences in Nicaragua and I have been there this summer.  I had an opportunity to sit down with Paulette Goudge and talk about what this Mariposa experience is and to bring it to you on this episode of the podcast. I can wait for you to hear all about what goes on in La Concha, Nicaragua.  So, let's jump in.

Topics in this Episode:

• • I have been visiting San Juan de la Concepción, Nicaragua for over 10 years. Hear about my personal experience working with Paulette Goudge and La Mariposa.
  • Paulette's first visits to Nicaragua in the 1980's and adopting her daughter.
  • The vision for La Mariposa.
  • The Mariposa has many community projects to support the local community and provides income to families that would otherwise not be able to earn.
  • While La Mariposa is called an eco-hotel and Spanish school, it is so much more than that with all of the volunteer opportunities available.
  • Who goes to La Mariposa?
  • Sustainable food practices.
  • Visit the La Mariposa: mariposaspanishschool.com

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#158
This is episode 7 in my 2024 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at episodes 119 and 132, which were teacher toolbox episodes.  

Episodes: 

• Teacher Toolbox Episode (Vol. 5) (119)
• Teacher Toolbox Episode (Vol 6) (132)

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#157
This is episode 6 in my 2024 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at episode 141 where I talk about transitioning from grammar to language functions and episode 145 where I discuss concrete ways to promote proficiency growth.

Episodes: 

• Shifting the Focus from Grammar to Function (141)
• Concrete Ways to Support Proficiency Growth (145)

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#156
This is episode 5 in my 2024 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at episodes 117 where Jamie Rodriguez talks about guided conversations and episode 121 where Christina Margiore and I discuss chat mats.

Episodes: 

• Guided Conversations in the Language Classroom with Jamie Rodriguez (117)
• Using Chat Mats in the Language Classroom with Christina Margiore (121)

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#155
This is episode 4 in my 2024 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday.  For today we take a look back at the Leveling Coach episodes where I coach several language teachers who are working on a challenge area in their teaching.  

Episodes: 

• Tamica, Streamline Lesson Planning (109)
• Jenn, Teaching and Assessing Writing (114)
• Lisa,What If Common Assessments Are Not Proficiency-Based (118)
• Judy IPAs and World Language Standards (122)
• Victoria Addressing Disruptions Constructively, Effectively and Equitably (130)
• Stephanie, Engaging Speaking Activities for Language Growth (134)
• Liz, From Unit Plans to Daily Lessons (138):
• Stephanie, Keep Up Your Own Target Language Proficiency and Confidence (143):
• Leveling Up Check-Ins (147)

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#154
This is episode 3 in my 2024 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at episode 135 where Fadi Aboughoush talks about class pacing and brain breaks and episode 136 where I discuss classroom management.

Episodes: 

• Pacing Your Lessons with Fadi Aboughoush (135)
• 10 Strategies for Effective Language Classroom Management (136)

 Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#153
This is episode 2 in my 2024 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at episodes 124 and 125 where I talk about trying something new in your classroom.

Episodes: 

• Try Something New Part 1 - Why? How? What Gets in the Way? (124)
• Try Something New Part 2 - What Will that New Thing be? (125)

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.