#169
What role does student choice have in your classroom? We know that when students have some ownership over their learning that they are more intrinsically motivated and this leads to real agency in their learning. Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Jen, a Spanish teacher in Missouri. Providing students with regular and authentic choices in her classroom is the area where wants to level up her teaching practice. So let's start the conversation.

Suggestions:

• Create choice boards that offer a variety of activities aligned with the same learning objectives. Students can select activities based on their interests and preferred learning styles.
• Allow students to choose from a list of project topics or propose their own, giving them the autonomy to explore areas of interest while still meeting curriculum standards.
• For certain activities, allow students to pick their groups based on interest or comfort. You can also mix it up by having students form groups around different themes or tasks they want to work on.
• Offer multiple assessment options that cater to different learning styles and strengths.
• Make the input and output compelling for students

Action Plan:

This Week:

• Create a simple choice board with nine activities related to the current unit.Observe and take notes on student engagement and preferences.

The Coming Weeks:

• Plan a project-based unit, providing a list of potential topics and formats for final products. Encourage students to present their projects in various formats (e.g., presentation, report, digital creation).
• Design multiple assessment options for an upcoming unit. Ensure each assessment option aligns with the learning objectives and create a consistent rubric.

You can also be a part of Leveling Up coaching episode if there is an area of your teaching that you like to improve or enhance. Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode.

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.

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

#168
How well do you navigate change? Are you open to it? What do you need to reduce any resistance that you might have? How do you support colleagues through the process? In our ever-evolving world of language teaching and learning there are opportunities for change in our practice. But, is it easy? In this episode, I speak with Tim Eagan and Mike Travers, who are teachers and administrators in Massachusetts. They share some actionable insights and suggestions for approaching, understanding and eventually embracing change.

Topics in this Episode:

• common sources of resistance to change among world language teachers
• challenges teachers face when adapting their teaching methods
• How colleagues, school leaders and administrators can support teachers through transitions and address their concerns
• effective strategies in overcoming resistance and encouraging buy-in from teachers who are skeptical about changes
• practical steps colleagues, school leaders and administrators can take to start implementing changes
• Episode #9: Teaching Grammar as a Concept and in Context with Mike Travers
• Episode #60: Building & Leading a Proficiency-Based Department

Connect with Tim Eagan and Mike Travers:

• X/Twitter: @tjeag , @Travers_Tweets
• Blog: Diaries Of A Mad World Language Teacher

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.

#167
Do you use authentic texts in your language classroom? To make sure that we are all on the same page with the concept, the simple definition is materials created by and for native speakers not for the purpose of language learning. These materials reflect real-life language use and cultural contexts. They expose students to natural language and cultural nuances. In this episode I share practical strategies to help students interpret and engage in meaningful ways with these materials. Are the benefits linguistic, cultural, maybe both?

Topics in this Episode:

• High Leverage Teaching Practices from Enacting the Work of Language Instruction by Eileen Glisan and Richard Donato
  • Episode 160: Create a Classroom Where Students Use the Target Language Confidently
  • Episode 162: Facilitating Target Language Comprehensibility
  • Episode 164: Teach Grammar in a Communicative Context
• Authentic texts are materials created by native speakers for native speakers, such as newspapers, blogs, songs, advertisements, and videos. These texts reflect real-life language use and cultural contexts.
• Using authentic texts exposes students to natural language and cultural nuances, helping them develop better comprehension skills and cultural awareness. It also makes learning more engaging and relevant."
• 5 key strategies to help you effectively incorporate authentic texts into your teaching:
  • Selecting Appropriate Texts
  • Pre-Reading Activities
  • Guided Reading and Annotation
  • Post-Reading Discussions
  • Extension Activities

**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.