As the festive cheer of the holiday season gives way to a fresh start, reenergizing the classroom environment becomes a focal point for educators. Leveraging the power of Comprehensible Input (CI), teachers can craft engaging, low-prep activities that immerse students in enriching language experiences. Here are three captivating CI activities designed to invigorate the classroom … Read moreIgniting New Year Momentum with Low-Prep Activities
Navigating the realm of language instruction often involves striking a delicate balance between teaching grammatical structures and maintaining student engagement. In the paradigm of Comprehensible Input (CI), where language acquisition occurs through understandable context, the challenge is to seamlessly integrate grammar without drowning students in tedious explanations. Let’s explore a harmonious approach that aligns with … Read moreCrafting Language Fluency: Delicate Dance between Form and Comprehensibility
Background: TPR in Language Education Total Physical Response (TPR) is a teaching method that leverages movement and action to enhance language comprehension. Developed by Dr. James Asher, TPR is rooted in the belief that associating language with physical movement creates a more profound and memorable learning experience. In TPR, students respond to verbal commands by … Read moreThe Power of Action: Using TPR within the C.I. Classroom
Comprehensible Input (CI) stands as a cornerstone in language education, advocating for language acquisition through exposure to understandable language. However, in classrooms facing behavioral challenges, poor participation, or special needs, tailoring CI becomes crucial for fostering an inclusive learning environment without compromising its core principles. 1. Behavioral Challenges: Addressing disruptive behavior requires a delicate balance … Read moreNurturing Inclusivity in a Challenging Classroom Environment
Teachers are always looking for ways to engage students in their World Languages classes. One dynamic way to get students’ attention is through story telling. However, we can take this one step further and get students involved in the story telling process as well. Story Asking emerges as a transformative technique that transcends traditional teaching … Read moreEngaging Students with Story Asking
In the realm of language education, the pursuit of competence serves as a powerful motivator for students. Rooted in the tenets of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), competence is identified as a fundamental psychological need that propels intrinsic motivation. By cultivating an environment where students feel capable and confident in their language skills, educators can unlock the … Read moreEmpowering Proficiency: The Role of Competence in the WL Classroom
Most students hate tests. I think the reason they hate tests, in most subjects, is that they have to go home and cram for them because they are not prepared. When we teach students using Comprehensible Input (C.I.), students have less of that feeling of being unprepared. When I first mention that I am going … Read moreUsing Gaming to Assess
In the last school year, my department and I conducted action research on engagement. The participants were all 8th and 9th grade students. Our research questions were the following: According to our teachers, in what ways, if any, do the teacher’s instructional choices impact student engagement? According to our students, in what ways, if any … Read moreEngaging Students in World Languages Classes
Today, I had the pleasure of watching a videoconference with Stephen Krashen. Krashen is one of leading experts in second language acquisition and the author of the foundational book The Natural Approach. The topic of the conference was how to improve acquisition of language through reading. In his book, Krashen lays out four principles of … Read moreImproving Acquisition through Reading
Krashen tells us to not only use interesting input, but to use COMPELLING input. One of the best ways to use compelling input is to talk about the students themselves. Students also like doing activities when they are perceived to be games. This activity is a game, but it involves writing sentences, listening, comprehending, evaluating, … Read moreThe Betting Game
I am back from a little break, ready to get my blog on. Today, I want to talk about my version of Student Interviews that I learned about from Bryce Headstrom. I don’t know if he is the originator but it is where I learned about it. Of course, I have to put my spin … Read moreC.I. Student Interviews
I attended a webinar from Martina Bex yesterday about story asking through digital platform. It was very informative and I had several key takeaways that I will use this fall. One of the biggest things that was mentioned briefly during the story asking was the use of diverse adjectives and cognates. This stood out to … Read moreComprehensible Input and Inclusion