#231

Over a series of 3 episodes we looked at a range of CI activities, and I promised I’d be back and to show exactly how they work together in practice. This is the first of 2 episodes where I’ll take a simple story and use it to model what CI can look like in an actual classroom. Today’s focus is on setting the scene and preparing students for the story, and next week we’ll continue with what happens once the story is underway.

Topics in this Episode:

• CI Activity Episodes
  • 218: Interaction and Discussion
  • 222: Reading and Writing
  • 228: Storytelling and Narrative
• CI Toolbox
• The CI Story: "Problem in the Market": It's Saturday morning. Sofía's family is at a market in Oaxaca, Mexico. There are many colorful fruits, vegetables and flowers. Sofia wants to buy mangoes. Her little brother, Diego, sees some piñatas. Diego says: “I'm going to look at the piñatas!” and walks alone. There are many people in the market. Diego looks at the piñatas and doesn't see his family. He feels nervous and says, “Where is my mom?” A fruit seller sees Diego. She says, “Hello, are you lost?” Diego responds: “Yes… I can't find my mother.” The saleswoman walks with Diego through the market. After a few minutes, they see Diego's family near a tortilla stand. His mother hugs Diego. She says, “Thank you, Miss.” The family buys mangoes and tortillas, and everyone is happy.
• Storytelling and Narrative Activities
  • Story Listening: Story Listening is teacher-led, highly comprehensible storytelling using gestures, visuals, and repetition to support listening comprehension.
  • Write and Discuss:The teacher and students co-construct a short text on the board, discussing meaning as it’s written.
  • Clip Chat:Clip Chat uses short video clips to provide visual input while the teacher narrates and asks comprehension questions.

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

• Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual Teachers
• On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language Departments
• Self-Paced Program for For Language Departments

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

• Website: wlclassrom.com
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook Group: World Language Classroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• LinkedIn: Joshua Cabral
• Bluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.socia
• X (Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#230

It’s the start of new year and a chance to recharge our educator battery. Sometimes a little easier said than done, I know. In this episode, recorded at the NYSAFT Annual Conference in Albany, NY, we are going to look at ways to make sure that your teaching spark is still alive and well. Will Andersson joins me for this insightful conversation. He is a long time language teacher and language department administrator. He is now an Associate Dean at Hofstra University’s School of Education. Will shares practical and actionable ways to recharge our educator battery.

Topics in this Episode:

• The State of the Profession: the biggest factors that either drain or recharge educators today
• Sustainable Teaching: practical, everyday strategies teachers can use to sustain their energy and passion throughout the school year
• Mentorship and Renewal: the value of mentoring student teachers and how working with the next generation of educators can help seasoned teachers feel energized in their own practice
• Connection and Community: the role of professional communities (colleagues, conferences, online spaces) in recharging our educator batter
• Advice for Language Educators: how to stay connected to your “why” and keep your professional battery charged

Connect with Will Anderson:

• Email: William.C.Anderson@hofstra.edu

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

• Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual Teachers
• On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language Departments
• Self-Paced Program for For Language Departments

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

• Website: wlclassrom.com
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook Group: World Language Classroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• LinkedIn: Joshua Cabral
• Bluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.socia
• X (Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#229

What do you do when there is a change in your schedule, like shortened class time because of a delayed opening? What if several students need to miss class because of a school event or responsibility? This is sometimes the reality of our teaching. We had a plan, but need to figure out in the moment how to best use the time we have. This is where sponge activities are useful. Jessica Hall, a Spanish teacher in Connecticut, joins me to talk about what we can do when we find ourselves in these situations.

Topics in this Episode:

• what sponge activities are and why are they such an important tool for language teachers
• how can sponge activities help teachers make sure that every minute in the classroom is purposeful and engaging
• strategies to adjust the same sponge activity so it works for beginners as well as more advanced learners
• how do you keep sponge activities fun and interactive while still ensuring that they support language growth
• simple low-to-prep sponge activities you can try right away
• PDF with all the activities that Jessica mentions in the episode

Connect with Jessica Hall from Miss Señorita:

• Instagram: @MissSenoritaTpt

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

• Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual Teachers
• On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language Departments
• Self-Paced Program for For Language Departments

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

• Website: wlclassrom.com
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook Group: World Language Classroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• LinkedIn: Joshua Cabral
• Bluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.socia
• X (Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.