I’m on my way back from home from the return of the NECTFL conference in NYC and my head is spinning with ideas for writing my own blog posts. While that’s going to have to wait a little while, here is my summary of posts that caught my attention this week.
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The Big List of Discussion Strategies
While not intended for a world language audience, this Cult of Pedagogy posts shares some ideas on how to get kids to discuss (talk in the target language). Each strategy includes an overview and link to an example video and I can see just about all of them in a language classroom. Try them and let me know which ones you liked. Read Jennifer’s post –>
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Let Authres Take the Lead ~ Step 3
Megan from the Creative Language Class, finishes their series on using authentic resources as the foundation for lessons. Reading through it just reminds me think how much fun it must have been to be a student in her class. I’m engaged wanting to learn Spanish just following along her planning process. Enough said: Go read Megan’s post for yourself–>
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Improving Teacher Language Proficiency
Until my daughter was born, I’ll admit that my German proficiency had fallen drastically and teacher language proficiency is a real problem. I simply wasn’t using enough German on a daily basis and was starting to sound like a Level 1 German speaker. Spanish teacher, Carrie Toth, writes a very honest reminder that all teachers should read. And while you may not be able to implement the same solution as she does, you may want to think about developing a plan to improves or maintains your language proficiency. Read Carrie’s post –>
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On Student Voice : Seating and Other Classroom Comforts
So often we think we don’t have any control over the set-up of our room and yes, many classrooms have probably way too many desks or chairs in them. French teacher, Cristy Vogel, shares her attempt in letting students decide where, how and with whom the learners sit in her room and shows you the results of an interesting survey about the learning environment in her classroom. Read Cristy’s post –>
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“The Power Feedback” Summary: Part One
Yet another non-world language educator post that has implications for our field. English teacher, Robin Neal, is starting a series of posts in which he will share his thinking on the role of feedback. In the post he reminds us that feedback should help students answer these three questions: Where am I going? How am I going? Where to next? With all the pressures of grading put upon teachers, this is a much appreciated perspective. Read Robin’s post –>
Happy Reading and don’t forget to share your favorite blog posts with me in the comments!