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
In the vibrant tapestry of language education, the significance of creating meaningful connections cannot be overstated. The concept of relatedness, a core component of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), unveils a profound key to motivating students in the world languages classroom. By fostering a sense of community and interpersonal relationships, educators can elevate the language-learning experience and … Read moreCultivating Connections: How Relatedness Engages Students
In the dynamic landscape of education, fostering student motivation is a constant challenge for educators. In the world languages classroom, where the intricacies of communication and cultural understanding are paramount, leveraging autonomy can be a game-changer. Drawing upon the principles of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), we can unlock the key to motivating language learners and making … Read moreFostering Motivation in the WL Classroom: The Power of Autonomy
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
Looking at my website, it has been a long two years since I made a blog post. They say that the road of life is littered with good intentions, or something like that. I have had a lot come my way over the past two years, so it has been difficult to keep afloat. Something … Read moreThe Thing About 8th Grade
Many of us may be teaching in situtations where our students are at home and we only get to see them through the computer. Building relationships with these students is a so important to teaching, especially in a foreign language. We have to build a community where students feel safe to share and speak. The … Read moreGetting to Know Your Students Virtually
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
If any of you are like me, you are very concerned about restarting classes in the fall. The numbers for the Coronavirus are at an all time high, much higher than they were in March when we closed down. People are still meeting via Zoom and other methods, but the local school boards and our … Read moreTeaching Language in the Age of Covid
Why C.I.? This is the question I used to ask before I ever decided to go full Comprehensible Input. I mean, I had always learned from grammar lessons and long vocabulary lists, so what was good for me was good for my students, right? Most people are not grammar and language nerds like me, and … Read moreWhy C.I.?
If you are here reading and checking out my site, you might want to know what I believe about teaching and leading. Here is my manifesto put into 5 simple tenets: Principles of My Manifesto Put first things first. I have a sign on the front of my desk that says that. I know that … Read moreMy Beliefs about Teaching and Leading