Send us a text

In this episode of "Growing With Proficiency The Podcast," we dive into five game-changing, low-prep strategies that can transform your world language classroom.

Whether you're looking to build stronger connections with your students, make reading more interactive, or boost student output with minimal prep, these ideas have you covered.

From using class passwords to energize daily routines, to implementing silent discussions that promote deep reflection and collaboration, you'll find practical and powerful tools to enhance your teaching.

Plus, stick around for a special invitation to a private tour of the Growing With Proficiency Spanish Teacher Academy! Don't miss out on these simple yet transformative ideas that can make a big impact in your classroom.

Links and Resources

• Sign up for our private tour of Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy at growingwithproficiency.com/tour
• Sign up to receive the template for Character Autopsy here
• Episode 9 of GWP The Podcast
• Episode 56 and 57 of GWP The Podcast

I’m excited to share that the 2024 Klett World Languages Back 2 School Conference is now open, and the best part? It’s asynchronous, so you can dive in at your own pace! I’ll be there as one of the keynote speakers alongside the amazing Joe Dale, and we’re joined by an incredible lineup of experts.
Use code CLAUDIA for 30% off. Click here to get your ticket.

Send us a text

In this episode of "Growing With Proficiency The Podcast," I'm super excited to chat with two incredible language educators, Alicia Shoemaker and Ben Fisher Rodriguez. We dive into the magic of 'Aha Moments'—those lightbulb moments that bring so much joy and energy to both students and teachers. We talk about what the research says about why these moments are so important and share some practical tips on how you can create more of them in your classroom.

We also get into the nitty-gritty of intercultural competence and cultural humility—big ideas that can take those 'Aha Moments' to the next level by making learning more inclusive and meaningful. Alicia and Ben share some awesome examples and resources that have worked wonders in their own teaching.

Resources:

Dr. Wesley Carpenter at the University of Akron - His definition of 'Aha Moments' as "a sudden conscious change in a person's representation of a stimulus, situation, event, or problem."

Dr. John Hattie and Dr. Jay Berkeley, University of Melbourne - Their 2023 article, Making Learning Visible: Observable Correlates of the Aha Moment when Moving from Surface to Deep Thinking, discusses how 'Aha Moments' in students lead to feelings of joy, relief, self-efficacy, and increased engagement.

2017 ACTFL Can-Do Statements on Intercultural Competence - These statements define intercultural competence as the ability to interact effectively and appropriately with people from other language and cultural backgrounds.

Common Ground: Second Language Acquisition Theory Goes to the Classroom by Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins

Randall Munroe's "What If?" Questions - A resource mentioned for its effectiveness in encouraging students to think critically and reflectively about cultural scenarios, helping to create 'Aha Moments.'

Teaching Tools in a Flash by Dr. Deborah Clark and Dr. Sharma of Kent State University** - This resource provides practical examples of how to approach cultural humility in language classes.

Maris Hawkins’ Blog
Ben Fisher Rodriguez’s Blog

More resources:

Back to School Bundle for Spanish Classes

GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List

Growing With CI FB Community

Blog

Teacher Pay

I’m excited to share that the 2024 Klett World Languages Back 2 School Conference is now open, and the best part? It’s asynchronous, so you can dive in at your own pace! I’ll be there as one of the keynote speakers alongside the amazing Joe Dale, and we’re joined by an incredible lineup of experts.
Use code CLAUDIA for 30% off. Click here to get your ticket.

Send us a text

In this episode, we're offering an alternative to the traditional approach of classroom management. Instead of focusing on control, we'll explore how to cultivate a classroom culture that thrives on student engagement, responsibility, and collaboration.

Join me as I share six practical strategies designed to help you create a positive and proactive classroom environment, where students are naturally inclined to follow norms and contribute to a supportive learning community.

Key Points:

• Understanding SLA: Discover how providing clear reasons behind your expectations can boost student motivation and cooperation.
• Co-Creating Norms: Learn the benefits of involving students in setting classroom norms, fostering a sense of autonomy and ownership.
• Daily Norm Reminders: Explore creative ways to keep norms top of mind through call-and-response techniques and humor.
• Consistency is Key: Understand the importance of consistency in maintaining a positive classroom culture.
• Spotlighting the Positive: Find out how to reinforce good behavior with positive recognition, including claps, high-fives, and class points.
• Building Relationships: Gain insights into the value of truly knowing your students and building strong, supportive connections.

We’ll wrap up with a few bonus strategies to help you stay grounded and effective as you cultivate your classroom culture.

Tune in to learn how to shift from managing your classroom to fostering a culture that supports student success!

Videos mentioned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CejhQC9hUO8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji59kolNu3c

Resources and Links mentioned:

Comprehensible and Communicative Language Education: Free Teacher Guide

Back to School Bundle for Spanish Classes

GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List

Growing With CI FB Community

Blog

IG & Twitter: @claudiamelliott

Teacher Pay Teachers Store

I’m excited to share that the 2024 Klett World Languages Back 2 School Conference is now open, and the best part? It’s asynchronous, so you can dive in at your own pace! I’ll be there as one of the keynote speakers alongside the amazing Joe Dale, and we’re joined by an incredible lineup of experts.
Use code CLAUDIA for 30% off. Click here to get your ticket.

Send us a text

This is our first collaboration episode with the outstanding Dr. Liam Printer, host of the Motivated Classroom Podcast. In this episode, we dive into the heart of language acquisition, motivation, and community-building in the classroom. We share practical strategies to inspire your students, enhance comprehensible input, and create a learning environment where every student feels empowered. Regardless of your context of teaching, this episode offers valuable insights into how motivation and acquisition are connected.

Check out the main highlights of this conversation.

-Understanding Context in Language Teaching: Liam and Claudia discuss the importance of contextually appropriate pedagogies and how these principles can be applied in various teaching environments.

- Navigating Upper-Level Language Classes: Strategies for maintaining high levels of comprehension and motivation in upper-level courses, including the integration of authentic resources.

- Building Community and Connections: How getting to know your students on a personal level can transform classroom dynamics and enhance learning outcomes.

- Practical Activities for Engaging Students: Dr. Liam Printer and Claudia share engaging classroom activities like the “Know your classmates”, "Off-Topic Challenge" and the "Mentira" game to keep students motivated and involved.

Dr. Liam Printer

Dr. Liam Printer hosts The Motivated Classroom podcast and is currently an Instructional Coach at the International School of Lausanne in Switzerland, where he works with teachers to improve their practice. Prior to this role, Liam was the Leader of Pedagogical Innovation and Approaches to Learning at the school. Liam has been a teacher of additional languages for the past 17 years. He currently teaches Spanish and English in the middle and high school as part of the International Baccalaureate. His Motivated Classroom podcast was listed in the Top 5% of all downloaded podcasts worldwide in 2022 with over 400,000 listens to date. His Doctorate in Education focussed on motivation and teaching languages through storytelling and his research has been published in various peer reviewed journals and it has been cited over 30 times in the past 3 years in other academic research. Liam also holds a Masters in French, a Postgraduate Diploma in teaching of modern languages, a Bachelor's degree in Business and languages, and he is currently working on a Masters in Applied Linguistics and Teaching of English. His book with Oxford Hachette publishing, on motivation and language teaching, will be published in 2025. Liam has been invited as the Keynote speaker at more than 10 international language teaching conferences and he continues to work with a wide range of schools and districts around the world on raising motivation in the language classroom. If you'd like to learn directly from Liam, check out his upcoming online workshops on his website www.liamprinter.com.

Links and resources!

Comprehensible and Communicative Language Education: Free Teacher Guide

Back to School Bun

I’m excited to share that the 2024 Klett World Languages Back 2 School Conference is now open, and the best part? It’s asynchronous, so you can dive in at your own pace! I’ll be there as one of the keynote speakers alongside the amazing Joe Dale, and we’re joined by an incredible lineup of experts.
Use code CLAUDIA for 30% off. Click here to get your ticket.

Send us a text

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Back-to-School Series on Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast! In this throwback episode, we revisit Episode 43, "A Powerful First Day: Crafting an Engaging Back-to-School World Language Class for Success!"

Why is the first day so significant? Because that initial encounter with your students sets the tone for the entire year ahead. Making a positive impact from the start can pave the way for a year filled with growth, excitement, and meaningful connections.

Join me as I guide you step-by-step through a treasure trove of ideas, activities, and strategies curated for that memorable first day of class. Grab a warm cafecito or your favorite beverage, and let's dive in. You'll leave with practical and actionable ideas to make your first day a magical experience for both you and your students.

Click play, get cozy, and let's make this year the best one yet! See you inside!

Links and resources!

Comprehensible and Communicative Language Education: Free Teacher Guide

Back to School Bundle for Spanish Classes

GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List

Growing With CI FB Community

Blog

IG & Twitter: @claudiamelliott

Teacher Pay Teachers Store

I’m excited to share that the 2024 Klett World Languages Back 2 School Conference is now open, and the best part? It’s asynchronous, so you can dive in at your own pace! I’ll be there as one of the keynote speakers alongside the amazing Joe Dale, and we’re joined by an incredible lineup of experts.
Use code CLAUDIA for 30% off. Click here to get your ticket.

Send us a text

En este episodio de Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, comparto cinco estrategias esenciales para establecer un manejo de clases positivo desde el primer día de clases.

Descubre cómo las rutinas claras, un sistema eficaz para captar la atención de los estudiantes, reglas bien definidas, y la importancia de tomar descansos estratégicos pueden transformar tu aula.

Además, exploramos la clave para construir relaciones personales que fomenten un ambiente de respeto y aprendizaje. No te olvides de revisar el Episodio 45 para profundizar en cómo establecer reglas claras y manejar su cumplimiento de manera efectiva.

¡No te pierdas estos consejos prácticos y recursos adicionales para iniciar el año escolar con éxito!

Recursos del episodio:

Episodio 45 Growing With Proficiency The Podcast
GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List
Growing With Proficiency Blog
Growing With Proficiency TPT Store
Connect with Claudia

• IG
• FB
• Free FB Group: Growing With CI

Classroom Jobs Course with La Maestra Loca and John Siefer

Send us a text

In this throwback episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, we revisit Episode 42, "Setting The Stage: Key Areas To Prepare for a Successful Year in our WL Classes." As the new academic year approaches, it's the perfect time to refresh our strategies for a smooth and successful start.

Join us as we delve into the four crucial areas to focus on before your students even step into the classroom. We cover everything from optimizing your classroom space and arranging it strategically, communicating essential information to students and parents, and implementing student surveys. These preparations will boost student engagement, foster collaboration, and create a productive year.

Click play and get ready to set your classroom up for success!

Links & Resources

• Comprehensible and Communicative Language Education: Free Teacher Guide
• Back to School Bundle for Spanish Classes
• Grant Boulanger Rejoinders
• Creative Classroom Proficiency Wall
• GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List
• Growing With Proficiency Blog
• Growing With Proficiency TPT Store
• Connect with Claudia
  • IG
  • FB
  • Free FB Group: Growing With CI

I’m excited to share that the 2024 Klett World Languages Back 2 School Conference is now open, and the best part? It’s asynchronous, so you can dive in at your own pace! I’ll be there as one of the keynote speakers alongside the amazing Joe Dale, and we’re joined by an incredible lineup of experts.
Use code CLAUDIA for 30% off. Click here to get your ticket.

Send us a text

Have you ever wondered how comprehensible input-based teaching varies across different educational levels? How does it look in an elementary school compared to middle and high school? Today’s episode has the answers!

In this episode, we will explore how comprehensible input-based teaching looks at different educational levels, the similarities, and also the differences.

Joining us today are Tonya Kindberg, Kathy Perry, and Graciela Enceñat, who will share their experiences and insights about these differences and adjustments.

Main Highlights:

• Implementation and Challenges:
  • Tonya, Kathy, and Graciela discuss how they have implemented CI strategies in their classrooms and the unique challenges they faced at each educational level.
• Impactful Moments:
  • Personal stories from each guest highlighting moments when they realized CI was making a significant impact on their students' language acquisition.
• Practical Ideas:
  • From TPR to scaffolding output, you’ll discover what these activities look like when you’re teaching a 3rd grader or when you’re teaching an AP class.
• Key Advice for New CI Teachers:
  • Our guests provide actionable advice for teachers who are new to comprehensible input methods, encouraging them to explore CI and consider joining the academy.

Resources and Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Growing With Proficiency Academy: Link to Academy
• Growing With Proficiency Blog
• Growing With Proficiency TPT Store
• Connect with Claudia
  • IG
  • FB
  • Free FB Group: Growing With CI