Growing With Proficiency The Podcast

Is our assessment and grading system aligned with how we teach? We’re opening the episode with this important question. Join me in this conversation with Michelle Olah while we discuss aligning grading practices with actual language proficiency. We discuss the disconnect between traditional grading systems and what we do in class, discussing the need for a shift towards proficiency-based assessments. We also explore the implications of such a shift, including the philosophical and logistical changes required to implement grading practices that genuinely reflect students' abilities to communicate and understand the language. Throughout the discussion, we provide insights into transitioning from a traditional grading system, which often emphasizes rote memorization and penalizes mistakes, to a more dynamic, proficiency-based approach that celebrates communicative competence and real-world language use. The episode also highlights practical strategies for developing rubrics aligned with proficiency standards, engaging with students and parents about the changes, and ensuring grading practices promote equity and motivation. Key Highlights: Understanding Proficiency-Based Grading.Practical Tips on Implementing Changes.RubricsReflections on Equity in Grading.Resources Mentioned: ACTFL Proficiency GuidelinesClaudia's community on Facebook: Growing with CIFollow Claudia on Instagram: @ClaudiaMElliottFollow Michelle on Instagram: @WorldLangCoachComprehensible & Communicative Langauge Teaching Teacher GuideWaitlist GWP The Spanish Teacher AcademyGrowing with Proficiency BlogBio: Michelle Olah is a world language leader, podcaster, facilitator, and instructional coach. As the Professional Development Manager at Wayside Publishing, she empowers World Language educators by providing coaching and professional development in proficiency-based teaching. With over 17 years of experience, Michelle has conducted workshops on standards-based instruction, ACTFL's core practices, leadership, target language use, assessment and more. Michelle is also a dedicated advocate for early language learners, serving as Past President and board member of NNELL (National Network for Early Language Learning), collaborating to support language educators and students. Michelle's mission is to equip educators with the tools for engaging, effective, and meaningful language learning experiences.

Brace yourself for an authentic exploration of assessments in the world language classroom. In this episode, I share personal struggles and transformative insights that reframe how we assess language learning. Discover strategies that emphasize growth and celebrate student progress. Highlights: Resources and Links Mentioned: ACTFL Performance Descriptors Unlock the Magic of Stations Make Free Voluntary Reading Work With AC Quintero How To Transform Administrator Observations into Celebrations of Our Teaching Practices with Dr. Pablo Martinez Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Free stories for Spanish teachers Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

¿Te perdiste la conferencia de CI Mitten? No te preocupes, en este episodio te traemos un cargamento de actividades y estrategias que Nelly Andrade, Dahiana Castro y yo descubrimos y exploramos durante el evento. Desde herramientas interactivas como Flippity, hasta técnicas para crear historias con tus estudiantes, pasando por métodos innovadores para evaluar oralmente y divertidos juegos para dinamizar tus clases, hoy te compartimos una abundancia de recursos útiles. Te invitamos a escuchar este episodio para conocer estas ideas y reflexionar sobre cómo podrías adaptarlas a tu entorno educativo. Además, nos encantaría que compartieras con nosotros cómo te fue al implementar estas estrategias en tus clases. Este episodio es ideal para que te relajes y disfrutes de tu bebida favorita, mientras sientes que estás en una amena reunión con colegas. ¡Dale play y sumérgete en un mundo de aprendizaje y diversión! Recursos de este episodio: Flippity Blog post de la Sra. Chase Blog de Dahiana Castro Movie Talk by Dr. Ashley Hastings Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

In this in-person episode from the CI Mitten conference, Dr. Diane Neubauer and AnneMarie Chase joined me to talk about the multifaceted concept of student engagement in the world language classroom. We uncover and challenge traditional views of engagement, offering innovative strategies and real-life applications that will inspire and empower educators. **Show Notes:** What is engagement? Innovative Strategies for Engagement: Practical Ideas for the End of the Year: Reflection: This episode serves as a toolkit for educators aiming to enhance engagement in their classrooms through thoughtful, innovative, and practical strategies that resonate with both students and teachers alike. Resources: AnneMarie Chase Blogcito Dr. Diane Neubauer’s Podcast: Conversations about Language Teaching Audio: https://conversationsaboutlanguage.buzzsprout.com/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/@ConversationsaboutLanguage Hiver, P., Al-Hoorie, A. H., & Mercer, S. (2020). Student engagement in the language classroom. Multilingual Matters. Jacknick, C. M. (2021). Multimodal participation and engagement: Social interaction in the classroom. Edinburgh University Press. Neubauer, D. (2022). Chinese Language Instruction with Novice Learners: Target Language Topic Development, Engagement, and Comprehension in Online and Hybrid Classrooms. The University of Iowa. More resources: Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Free stories for Spanish teachers Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Are you searching for low-prep games perfect for this busy time of year? Look no further! In this episode, join us as we welcome two incredible educators from Colombia, Profe Valentina and Carolina Gómez. They're here to share five engaging, low-prep games that are ideal for any classroom setting. These games are designed to boost engagement, foster community, review content, and add some fun to your daily routine. Who doesn't need a little extra fun, right? In this discussion, Profe Valentina and Carolina also dive into the significance of establishing routines and modeling effective game play in the classroom. Plus, they offer advice on troubleshooting common challenges, such as when classes or individual students are hesitant to participate in game activities. Tune in now and be part of this great conversation with my paisanas! Key Takeaways: Don't miss this opportunity to add these practical, fun-filled games to your class. Subscribe and share with fellow educators looking to uplevel their language classes! __________________________________ Guest Bios: Profe Valentina was born and raised in Colombia and has been teaching Spanish for over 16 years. She has experience teaching students from Pre-K through 8th grade, but her passion lies in elementary education. Valentina's language teaching approach aligns with the latest second language acquisition theories and incorporates culturally responsive practices. Her workshops and presentations are as creative, dynamic, and enthusiastic as her classes. Carolina Gómez is a Colombian language educator with over 20 years of experience. She holds a B.A. in Languages and Education from the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, and a Master's degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She is currently a PreK-3 Spanish teacher at an independent school in Cambridge, MA. Carolina combines her passion for teaching her language and culture through stories in the classroom. She enjoys connecting and creating a community with other educators through her blog "Fun for Spanish Teachers," different social media outlets, conferences, and workshops. ____________________________________________ Resources: Carolina’s blog: https://funforspanishteachers.com/ Carolina’s IG account: https://www.instagram.com/funforspanishteachers/ Valentina’s blog: https://profevalentina.com/ Valentina’s IG account: https://www.instagram.com/profevalentina/ Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Welcome back to our conversation with Dr. Bill VanPatten. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, click here to listen. In this second part, we continue exploring the intricacies of language acquisition, focusing on the role of grammar, the importance of input, and the evolution of output in language learning. Dr. VanPatten shares his insights on creating engaging and effective language teaching environments, emphasizing the need for compelling content and genuine connections with students. Key Takeaways: Resources: Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

In this special, we’re joined by an exceptional guest, Dr. Bill VanPatten. In this conversation, Dr. VanPatten shares with us the importance of acknowledging the undeniable role of input in language acquisition, the true nature of language, and the limitations of traditional instruction. Dr. VanPatten shares his insights on how language acquisition really unfolds and offers practical advice for language teachers seeking to foster genuine communication and growth in their students. Join us in this incredible episode! Key Takeaways: Bio: Prof. VanPatten is widely known for his work in second language acquisition and second language instruction, with special emphases on input processing, processing and parsing more generally, the interface between input processing and acquisition, morpho-syntactic relationships, and instructed SLA. He has published eight books, eight edited volumes, six language textbooks (including the movies Sol y viento, Liaisons, and the tele series Destinos), and close to 200 articles and book chapters. In 2018 he left academia to pursue writing full-time. His debut novel, Seidon's Tale, was the recipient of the 2019 Kops-Fetherling International Books Silver Phoenix Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. His second novel, Looks Are Deceiving, received the bronze medal from the International Readers' Favorite Book Awards for LGBTQ fiction. He is currently working on his sixth novel. For more information, check out his personal website at http://www.billvanpatten.net ___________________________________________ More resources: Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

In Episode 86 of "Growing With Proficiency The Podcast," we had a powerful conversation with AC Quintero, a remarkable Spanish teacher, writer, presenter, trainer, and coach in language acquisition. In this conversation, we dove into the significance of free voluntary reading in the classroom, exploring how to make reading an engaging and meaningful experience for students of all levels. Alicia emphasized the importance of building a supportive community and understanding students' diverse relationships with reading before initiating free voluntary reading activities. Throughout the episode, we discussed the social benefits of reading, implemented engaging pre-activities, and shared practical strategies for fostering student engagement with reading materials. Alicia also provided valuable insights into her approach to teaching reading, including the incorporation of pre-loading essential literary vocabulary during discussions. Join us for a great conversation where we explore the power of free voluntary reading and its impact on students' language acquisition and cultural competence. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and tune in to this inspiring episode! A.C. Quintero is currently a Spanish Teacher at College Preparatory in Chicago, IL. She has 18 years of cumulative experience as an International Baccalaureate middle school teacher, high school teacher, and adjunct instructor. She holds a Master’s in Latin American Literature and Cultures coupled with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. These dual degrees have afforded her a vantage point from both ends of the educational spectrum. A.C. has been sharing her unique perspective on pedagogy and language acquisition for over ten years at national, regional and state conferences. She was most recently recognized by AATSP for her role in improving DEI initiatives for students. In addition to championing equity both inside and outside the classroom, A.C. is also an accomplished author. She has authored several compelling comprehensible novels such as La clase de confesiones, El escape, y Las apariencias engañan that allow students to solidify their language skills while experiencing a wide range of different cultures. AC Quintero TPT Store Books by AC Quintero AC Blog Upping the Ante: Free Voluntary Reading with Upper-Level Students How to set up your library for free: https://www.donorschoose.org/https://educationfoundation.com/linksforteachers/classroom-grants/Revista literalGrowing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

En este episodio titulado "Voces Diversas y Representación en la Formación de Profesores de Lengua," tenemos el placer de contar con la presencia de Bertha Delgadillo. Juntas, exploramos la importancia crucial de incluir una amplia variedad de voces y perspectivas en el mundo de la enseñanza de idiomas. Reflexionamos sobre nuestras propias experiencias y antecedentes, y cómo estos tienen gran valor dentro de la comunidad docente. En esta conversación, reflexionamos sobre cuales fueron algunas limitaciones personales y externas que crearon dudas en nosotras al momento de incursionar en el liderazgo de la enseñanaza de docientes y que nos ayudó a enfrentar dichas limitaciones. También, exploramos acciones concretas que podemos emprender para fomentar una mayor diversidad de voces y cómo podemos apoyarnos mutuamente para promover esta diversidad en nuestra comunidad educativa. Finalmente, contemplamos medidas específicas que podemos implementar para asegurar una representación más amplia y equitativa en las formaciones de profesores de lengua. A través de este diálogo, junto a Bertha Delgadillo, aspiramos a encontrar un sentido de pertenencia y contribuir a un entorno educativo más inclusivo, enriqueciendo nuestro viaje de aprendizaje colectivo y creando un aula más enriquecedora para todos. Más recursos: Comunidad de Facebook: Growing With CI Comunidad de Profes de Español: Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Claudia en IG: @claudiamelliott Blog: Growing With Proficiency Bertha en IG: @profesoradelgadillo Blog de Bertha: profesoradelgadillo.com

Join us in this powerful conversation with Dr. Stephen Krashen, a renowned expert in the field of Second Language Acquisition. In this episode, Dr. Krashen shares his invaluable insights on the critical role of reading in language learning, the importance of compelling input, and the often-overlooked distinction between acquisition and learning. Main Highlights: The Role of Grammar: Discover Dr. Krashen's perspective on how grammar fits into the language acquisition puzzle and why it’s not the answer we’re looking for. Compelling Input: Learn what makes input compelling and why it's a game-changer in language acquisition. Acquisition vs. Learning: Uncover why the concept of acquisition and learning is still widely misunderstood and how this impacts language education. The Power of Reading: Find out why Dr. Krashen believes reading is the key to advancing in language acquisition, even more so than conversation. Click play, grab your favorite drink (even better if it's coffee), and enjoy this captivating conversation that might just redefine your approach to language acquisition. Resources and Links Mentioned: Dr. Stephen Krashen's Website Article: The Power of Reading (PDF) More resources. How to Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG Remember to subscribe to our podcast for more insightful episodes on language learning and teaching. If you found this episode valuable, please leave us a review and share it with your fellow language enthusiasts!

I love conferences, and this one was not the exception. SCOLT 24 was full of amazing sessions, incredible presenters, and outstanding conversations. In this episode, I will do my best to share with you some of my biggest takeaways. Key Highlights: Also, if you haven’t already, download your teacher guide “How To Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach”. This guide is available in English and Spanish. Click here now! Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG Discussion Diamond Silent Discussion

Are you searching for a powerful low-prep activity that you can use in any of your classes? Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Ben Fisher Rodriguez, an exceptional Spanish and German teacher, who will share his insights on Card Talk. I must admit, I haven't utilized Card Talk much in my classes, usually only a few times a year. However, after this conversation with Ben, I'm convinced to incorporate it more frequently. Card Talk is a simple yet impactful activity where students respond to a prompt by drawing or using images, and the teacher uses those responses to deliver personalized, comprehensible input. Prepare to be amazed at how effortless and effective this activity can be. Key Points: Resources Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach >>> https://growingwithproficiency.com/teacherguide Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG Resources mentioned by our guest: Card Talk post with ideas for prompts and many videos: https://mrfishersays.com/card-talk-building-classroom-community-and-learning-about-your-students/ More Resources Write and Discuss post: https://mrfishersays.com/write-and-discuss-an-essential-literacy-activity-for-non-targeted-ci/ Mysterious Person https://mrfishersays.com/the-mysterious-person-a-community-building-review-game/ Quick Quiz https://mrfishersays.com/quick-quizzes-daily-assessments-that-build-confidence-and-success/ Ben Fisher-Rodriguez Bio Ben Fisher-Rodriguez is a high school German and Spanish teacher located in Seattle, WA. He has presented at national, regional, and local conferences on lesson planning, high-leverage teaching strategies, and issues of LGBTQ+ inclusion. Ben is a German Embassy Teacher of Excellence, the WAFLT TOY for 2022, and the PNCFL TOY for 2023. He blogs at MrFisherSays.com and is on Twitter @mrfishersays.

Si no has escuchado la primera parte de esta conversación, ve al episodio 79 para escuchar y después regresa a este. En esta segunda parte nos adentramos en la nueva metodología que la Dra. Alberta Gatti propone para apoyar el desarrollo de la competencia escrita de los estudiantes de herencia. Esta metodología tiene tres componentes: A. Lectura independiente, B. Análisis de Texto, C. Escritura independiente en el aula. Para el desarrollo de esa escritura independiente hay elementos pedagógicos importantes: Recursos y enlaces mencionados: Investigating Pedagogies for Advanced Proficiency (IPAP) ProjectCreating Extended Scaffolded Writing Tasks for Heritage SpeakersGenre in World Language Education by Francis J. TroyanClassroom Based Dialect Awareness in Heritage Language Instruction: A Critical Applied Linguistic Approach FB Community: Growing With CI Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG ¡Escucha el episodio completo para obtener más información y consejos prácticos!

Did you take a Second Language Teaching Methods class? I did. However, in that class, I didn't learn about comprehensible input or the nature of language, which are the essential foundations in Second Language Acquisition. That's why this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, I sit down with Elicia Cárdenas, the Director of Training at the Comprehensible Classroom, to talk about the essential principles of language acquisition that we should all know. Elicia talks about the fundamental nature of language, the complexities of teaching grammar in second language acquisition, and the significance of providing students with comprehensible input. She shares her journey of implementing acquisition-driven instruction in her class, leading to remarkable transformations in her students' language proficiency and engagement. Highlights> Join us in this conversation as we navigate through the intricacies of language acquisition, explore the importance of empowering teachers, and uncover the need for proactive communication in education. Ready? Click play and happy listening! Resources: Teacher Guide: How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach >>> https://growingwithproficiency.com/teacherguide Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Join my Free FB Community: Growing With CI Connect with me in IG: Claudia @‌IG _________________ Elicia Cárdenas' Bio Elicia Cárdenas is a former middle school Spanish teacher with extensive experience teaching a variety of levels, ages, and subjects. Her experience includes working with preservice teachers at Westminster College, and as a teaching assistant for MIT Teaching Systems Lab. Although she was trained as an elementary teacher, she shifted her focus to understanding of second language acquisition and its application to classroom instruction in a world language classroom. She presents regularly at national, regional, and state conferences and for school districts all over the USA. Her areas of expertise include assessment with an equity lens and working to make sure all students are successful at acquiring another language. She is the Director of Training for The Comprehensible Classroom and is the founder of the blog Deskless Classroom. More resources by our guest: The Deskless Classroom Blog: https://www.desklessclassroom.com/ The Comprehensible Classroom: https://comprehensibleclassroom.com

¿Te has preguntado cómo apoyar de manera efectiva a tus estudiantes de herencia en su desarrollo de expresión escrita? En esta primera parte de un episodio especial, nos sumergimos en una conversación con la Dra. Alberta Gatti, experta en literatura, alfabetización y lingüística aplicada, para explorar los objetivos y metodologías en nuestras clases con estudiantes de herencia. Principales aspectos destacados: Objetivos de las clases con estudiantes de herencia:Importancia de la doble alfabetización y cómo el trabajo lingüístico en español beneficia la competencia en inglés.Tres elementos de la alfabetización: Limitaciones de la metodología tradicional:Nueva metodología con tres componentes:Recursos y enlaces mencionados: Investigating Pedagogies for Advanced Proficiency (IPAP) ProjectCreating Extended Scaffolded Writing Tasks for Heritage SpeakersGenre in World Language Education by Francis J. TroyanClassroom-Based Dialect Awareness in Heritage Language Instruction: A Critical Applied Linguistic Approach Más enlaces: Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG No te pierdas esta conversación enriquecedora que te proporcionará herramientas valiosas para apoyar a tus estudiantes de herencia en el desarrollo de su competencia escrita y cultural. ¡Escucha el episodio completo para obtener más información y consejos prácticos!

Are you tired of feeling misunderstood by your administrators during observations? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pablo Martinez to uncover actionable strategies for more successful observations and building a stronger understanding between language teachers and their administrators. Key Highlights: Resources and Links Mentioned: Read Dr. Pablo Martinez´ Bio here The Administrative Corner by Luisa Meyer What my administrators want to see when they come to the classroom Links & Resources: Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Are you on the lookout for effective strategies to enhance engagement in your world language classes? Join us in this episode as we explore the power of incorporating music into language learning with Justin from Spanish Plans. We delve into March Madness, a dynamic approach to using music that has significantly boosted student interest and participation in Spanish classes. March Madness isn't just a competition; it's a gateway to cultural immersion and linguistic enrichment. Through this engaging three-week event, students evaluate and vote on songs, connecting them with a diverse array of artists and genres. This innovative use of music in world language education not only introduces students to high-frequency language in context but also cultivates an appreciation for the cultural nuances behind the lyrics. Whether you're looking to fully integrate this music challenge into your lessons or seeking to adapt its format to fit your class's unique needs, March Madness provides an accessible platform for all educators to elevate the use of music in their classrooms. In this episode, Justin will share with us great ideas to successfully integrate not only March Madness but music into our classes, ensuring our students are cultivating an appreciation for different musical genres and encouraging the exploration of Spanish music outside the classroom. Click play now and let’s enjoy some music. _______ Bio: Justin is a veteran Spanish teacher of nearly 20 years. He currently teaches 8th grade in nothern Chicagoland. He has been blogging at SpanishPlans since 2010. In addition to raising his bilingual daughter, Justin also enjoys listening to music, soccer, and traveling. Resources mentioned in this episode: General information about March Madness 2024: https://spanishplans.org/mmm24/ Teacher Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/March-Music-Madness-2024-Locura-de-Marzo-Musical-10925380 Links & Resources: Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

Are you wondering how to boost interaction among your students within your world language classroom? Struggling to find effective strategies that get students engage while listening, reading and writing? Look no further—this episode is for you. Join us as we welcome Tan Huynh, a secondary school educator with a deep focus on English language acquisition, author, podcaster, and consultant. Joining from across the globe, Tan shares his insights into the powerful Talk Read Talk Write (TRTW) model, pioneered by Nancy Motley. Tan has embraced TRTW to enhance the learning experiences of multilingual students, meticulously using the model to facilitate meaningful processing of input while students read and listen, and to scaffold student output when they are writing or talking. TRTW offers a robust framework for lesson planning, enabling students to engage deeply with the content and each other through reading, listening, and writing activities. Intrigued? Click here to dive deeper into how TRTW can be incorporated into your lesson plans, fostering more engaging, interactive, and supportive learning environments for your students. ________________________________- Tan Huynh (@tankhuynh ) is a secondary school teacher specializing in English language acquisition, an author, podcaster, and consultant. He has taught students from 5th to 10th grade in domestic public, private, and charter, but the bulk of his experience has been in international schools. He also taught social studies and spends much of his days co-planning and co-teaching. Tan is trained in sheltered instruction, WIDA, culturally-responsive instruction, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, and the Collaborative Instructional Cycle. Tan shares his application of research-based strategies on his blog, podcast, and online courses with the hopes of celebrating teachers who answer the @‌calling to serve multilingual learners. He holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction specializing in language acquisition. You can learn more about his work by going to http://TanKHuynh.com . Resources: Tan K. Huyng Blog Empowering MLs Podcast Talk Read Talk Write Book The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexter The Writing Revolution by Judith C. Hochman, and more. Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

How can we ensure that students not only talk but also listen to each other in group and pair activities, fostering a vibrant classroom discourse community? In this episode, we talk about a crucial aspect of building a classroom discourse community — not just encouraging students to speak but also to listen attentively to one another during group and pair work. While our last episode focused on engaging students in talking, here, we spotlight the other side of oral communication: listening. We discuss practical strategies to enhance listening skills among students, ensuring that everyone is heard and that discussions are meaningful and inclusive. Highlights: Listening is the silent half of oral communication, vital for a strong classroom discourse community. You will discover many strategies to promote listening. Click play and happy listening. Resources Mentioned: Ep. 5Ep. 73Ep. 22Ep. 10The Keys To Planning for LearningDice activity for facilitating interactive language GWP links: The Blog The Spanish Teacher Academy TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG

El lenguaje inclusivo y su importancia en nuestras clases con Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez ¿Qué es el lenguaje inclusivo? ¿Por qué es importante entenderlo? ¿Cómo podemos incorporarlo en clase a pesar de restricciones que tengamos? En este episodio, mi amigo y colega, Abelardo Almazán-Vázques, no sólo nos ayuda a entender más el concepto del lenguaje inclusivo y su importancia, sino que comparte de manera vulnerable su propio testimonio. Este testimono que comparte Abelardo es auténtico y es un punto de partida que nos lleva a reflexionar sobre cómo las palabras que usamos en el aula y afuera del aula pueden impactar a la persona que las escucha. Personalmente fue un honor hablar con Abelardo y le agradezco su compasión y su empatía para profes que como yo hasta ahora han iniciado este proceso de reflexión. Espero que esta conversación contribuya a tu propio proceso de crecimiento. Haz click en “play” y feliz escucha. ¿Quién es Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez? Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez está en su decimotercer año enseñando español, entrenando un equipo de fútbol de todos los géneros, enseñando bailes latinos y siendo el Jefe del Departamento de Lenguas del Mundo en The Putney School. Realizó su Licenciatura en Enseñanza del Español como Segunda Lengua en la Universidad Internacional UNINTER y su Maestría en Estudios Latinoamericanos en la Universidad Estatal de Cleveland. Nativo de Cuernavaca, México. Ha presentado en varias conferencias de Lenguas del Mundo, incluyendo "Lo Mejor de Massachusetts" para MaFLA2018, cofundador de la MCTLC (Minnesota Council of Teaching Languages and Cultures) 2020 en la sección "BIPOC/Inmigrante", presentador de la sesión destacada en la Conferencia NECTFL 2021, orador principal para la Conferencia de Primavera 2021 de GWATFL (The Greater Washington Association of Teachers of Foreign Language), y orador principal para la Conferencia de Primavera 2023 de VFLA (Vermont Foreign Language Association). Recursos La Linterna de Traductor Artículo Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez en IG Growing With Proficiency The Blog Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Free FB Community: Growing With CI Claudia @‌IG