#langchat Archive
#LangChat is dedicated to the discussion of topics associated with issues and trends in world language instruction and learning. Educators, administrators, learners, and aficionados of world languages are encouraged to participate and share their experiences and input on various topics such as new ways to teach vocabulary, using music in the language classroom, and making standards-based grading valid. This chat is also unique in that it brings together language educators worldwide and from different contexts (elementary, secondary, higher education, etc.) and languages.
Thursday May 5, 2016
Good evening, ! Tell us your name, where you are, and what you teach! Also, one way you were appreciated this week!
Good evening, ! WELCOME BACK I bet you are as ready for summer as !
Oh , how I've missed you!
Hola! Laura Catherine from Iowa HS Spanish. Glad to be here!
Been awhile for me too! Glad I have time to be here tonight!
Chris, Erie, PA; Latin. Looking forward to the 5th question of about Latin CI/interpersonal activities!
Good evening! Amanda here from WI- Spanish teacher HS. I was sent flowers by my hubby & another set sent to dept. from former Tt
Rebecca, Boston, MS French. Finally got an appreciative parent email today that brought tears to my eyes
Wendy, Ohio, French 1 and 2 here! Working at three schools, I got a lot of free food and many "thank yous" this week!
Hi ! Megan, French 2-AP, Detroit. I bought myself flowers and am drinking wine alone in honor of...myself, lol.
Kris, French 9-12, Nashville!
Hi ! I am Maris teaching US/MS in Maryland and this Sat my husband is watching my son so I can get my PD on!
Courtney from Arkansas! I teach 10-12 Spanish :) My kiddos just rocked the AP Exam on Tuesday! Whoop!
Nashville huh? My husband & I are most likely moving to Clarksville next summer
Ellen from Illinois. Spanish - levels 1, 2, and 3
Justin, MI, Lat+Ger. My adult Ss who knew about T apprec wk told me how much they appreciate me! PS Tonite's s-track is Braveheart
Hey I'm Rachel from NC teaching HS Span 1-2. I was appreciated by a colleague with our beloved "you stuck your neck out" giraffe!
Laura, French, High school in NC.
As a reminder, tonight's chat is all about short snapper questions! Here's a preview of tonight's Qs! https://t.co/l8uqPvOPD1
Krista, Spanish, Middle School in OK
Laurie from CT, I teach Spanish
¡Buenas noches, ! Cristina from Miami where I can hear 5 de mayo celebrations:) I feel appreciated this week and every other week:)
Cathryn. Spanish 4 and AP. Virginia.
Kim from Indiana...Spanish 1 & Heritage, grades 7&8.
Marci from Michigan MS French and District Coordinator
I'm Sara-Elizabeth in Louisville. A bit of teacher (Spanish), a bit of blogger, a lot of learner, I hope.
All right, are we ready to get started?
Your teachers reeeeeally appreciate you, Marci!
Q1 Q1 Q! How do you prepare your Ss for future teachers who expect a more grammar-based instruction model? https://t.co/cO52022QsK
¡Buenas noches, Spanish in Rocky Mount, VA. Was given cookies and doughnuts this week,but I'm not eating sugar. :(
Remember to put A1 in your answers...
Leslie from Nebraska. 4 levels of Latin at the HS level
A1 Luckily, I AM the future teacher, so no worries there! Sitting this one out probably :)
A1: confession- I think I lean more towards preparing them for more grammar than doing more proficiency that I want
Filling in grammar charts is easy. Keep focusing on embedded grammar. That's real language.They will figure out the charts.
A1: I tend to presume, arrogantly, that they'll wow them at the next level, so it won't matter so much
A1 My students have been taught in a hybrid sometimes CI sometimes grammar method so they'll be prepared for the next teacher
We read a lot so they are exposed to lots of grammar in context. Plus I teach grammar too (have to - haven't changed curr yet
A1 I try to teach what I am 'supposed' to teach, but I make sure that it is in a way that I am comfortable with..IN CONTEXT
A1: If repetitions r on track, grammar makes total sense. Even Ss in Gram.-based classes won't retain as much "grammar" in nxt lvl
A1 Mainly just teach the language, but tack on occasionally & at end of year, "some Ts will want you to know X terminology, etc."
A1 give a blend of instruction... I give grammar explanation 1st then have Ss make personal connection 2nd
A1 I worry about this but do not act on that...yet. Want to change Ts (hah!) and wow them like
A1. I just do my thing. The kids will be more than prepared. Lvl 2 T can catch them up on grammar terms.
A1 I sounded off on this as usual on the blog ;) Communicative teaching in the shadow of (grammar-based) X https://t.co/RDsxZpxUvd
A1: I try to teach a lot of pop-up grammar, but I think the more they can see patterns themselves the easier it will be regardless
Pop-up grammar = on a need-to-know basis? Curious about the term.
Here I go again. Every time I'm around this chica, I start openin' tabs!
Definitely agree! I am seeing this happen daily while reading our book https://t.co/u5e3YBCCHk
A1: I try to teach a lot of pop-up grammar, but I think the more they can see patterns themselves the easier it will be regardless
A1 This year, I just did what I thought was best for my Ss. Next year, they can learn what I didn't teach them.
As it comes up naturally in stories (TPRS) I ask them about verb endings, pronouns, etc.
A1 from experience at my last school? They will drop the class after that level. *Nothing* I could do.
Basically! Ex: serai vs. serais. You know serai is will be, serais means would be - what changed? The s. Okay, done.
This is important. Teach for our students, not a textbook. https://t.co/y88rEUkNWN
A1 This year, I just did what I thought was best for my Ss. Next year, they can learn what I didn't teach them.
A1: A communication based program doesn't exclude grammar. It's just not presented explicitly
exactly! I have Ss say all the time...who is teaching bc that'll help my decision. Stinks, but truth
A1. I've had a TON of success with pronouns this year. Only did pop ups, no direct instruction
Does your dept at least have some expectations for each level? vertical alignment is important
How does that work for those of us that teach on a team?
very true, but its hard when the entire dept has a different set of priorities & no budging
Expectations of themes and topics, yes. Of grammar, no.
Super hard with a dept full of comfortable veterans too. I get it, but still.
I'm just shocked to think that anyone still does grammar translation.
A1: Lang serves a purpose. Surviving some other T is probably not the highest on list, but I like this approach.
Question 2 in just a moment!
A1 I do a mini unit in midwinter on college placement test "musts" for my seniors i am the only french T so no worries otherwise
we have to give common final exams with a fair amount of explicit grammar too
the team needs common goals. How you get there can differ depending on T & St needs
A1 As the AP teacher I try to be conscious of good grammar habits at lower levels but also try to help language happen organically
Still the norm in many Latin programs. We're changing that, little by little. https://t.co/A0HnktvuAs
I'm just shocked to think that anyone still does grammar translation.
My biggest class is 24, so I don't know how I can answer that...please don't throw things at me, people!
Hmm like this idea. A few days for those that really want to continue in college! https://t.co/9yZ5p213cm
A1 I do a mini unit in midwinter on college placement test "musts" for my seniors i am the only french T so no worries otherwise
Sorry I am late, Doug from NY- MS Span
I try with big ideas, but we didn't get into past tense or verb "conjugation" this year.
A1 I am ready to open tabs for Q2 bc one year I had 36 in one class and this year started w/ a class of 35
. (cough) me neither... A2
Oops...forgot the ... https://t.co/iMr7WT44ID
A1: Vertical alignment and collaboration ARE important. Thank you and
A2 - I like using stations b/c that allows me to really talk to all of the students
They say that's the time where grammar will "make sense!" Level 4 = clean up time!
A2 We cap at 25, so...I have a special case of a 30-member French 2 and it feels impossible so I have no clue.
I've had success in thematic AP units w/o grammar focus but focusing on mini-lessons when questions come up
I have classes of 10 this year...a little embarrassed but very thankful.
But I'm scared that they're going to be BORED. :(
A2 Largest class I ever had was 28. Also was one of the best. Allow group work, but also have groups randomly selected
mine is 16 (independent school) so I'll be quiet!
A2 : had a class of 27 and I struggled this year. Partner work, individual computer recordings - would love suggestions!!
Middle School Spanish. California. ALL my classes are between 30-35;(
A2- I've never had more than 31, but that's still way too many imho. Need help with this.
I will say that our dept. has made some movement, but we are definitely stuck at moment
understood - I have 21, 17, and 11 in my Latin classes! 15 in my French!
A2 I notice in my classes of 29 that structure, well-planned down-time, and ways to give immediate feedback are a must!
I almost cried when a colleague from Detroit public mentioned having 40+ in a French 1 class. Oof!
yes I always use partner work and pair computer recordings or group phone recordings. It's the only way I could manage
A2: group Ss in comfy collab groups maybe w. "experts". Let them work together, visit w. groups to help in a smaller setting.
A1 i teach a couple fo grammar paradigms. Unfortunately this will not ne enough
A2: Class of 32 with LOTS of boys. Keep them moving. Face past. Mix up partners. Use popsicle sticks to hold accountable.
A2: Since we are an OWL classroom now, I would use double circles for any class over 30. But in AR, 30 is the legal limit.
A2 I definitely cannot have a lot of down time. Classroom has a weird column so movement is hard for games, activities, etc.
A2 differentiation of course. Using choice is motivating & encourages participation so easier supervision.
A2: record interpersonal conversations. Don't have to grade but they don't know that. :-)
A2.5 Weirdly enough, both of my 29 S classes really don't handle input activities well. Whole class anything lost on them.
You know ALL the stuff that EVERYONE says we HAVE to do, but how can we possibly? That's :)
A2 partner/ small group can mean fewer papers to grade, more peer review, Ss help weaker teammates
A2: I've never had that, except maybe as a sub or in student teaching.
so agree! I actually have started telling them that it's practice like sports I will grade a few to keep them honest
Look for each Ss continued errors. AP is all about error correction, even if you slip up a few times.
also check out the interpersonal boot camp a la
I gotta go pick up a kid - thanks and for your dedication to
past tense conjugations, accents that change meaning of words, form. v inform. language, sentence structure
A2: Do our administrators, school districts, supervisors know this: ACTFL says the maximum should be 15? https://t.co/PWdmpg1Gzm
80% pass rate here, we don't focus on grammar until upper lvls. 1/2
Love interpersonal boot camp. Always looking to you for inspiration.
Agreed! I taught my level 2s a phrase to self-correct and it's a beautiful thing to hear!
A2 Sometimes: half class reads/writes/collaborates while other half interacts more directly with me
HA HA HA!!!! THAT'S FUNNY!!!!
"Pattern of error" that "impedes comprehension" is the only thing that drops AP scores 2/2
A2: this makes me realize how blessed I am to not have overly large classes
Awesome! Would love to know more what your lower levels look like! TPRS? Novels?
this is such a great idea! What do you do with your half ? https://t.co/YlkFKj2F7n
A2 Sometimes: half class reads/writes/collaborates while other half interacts more directly with me
A2: Use 4 heads together strategy. Ss teach other Ss.
A3: is seriously the best!
A3 Well, there's . Seriously though the Internet is my biggest/best support.
I love this! I also love being a "teacher station" for small group instruction!
Super simple - es decir. They love using it!
A3: I love being ! But you Have to use your online PLN to collaborate or you will burn out quick!
I give the grammar as more hw & minimal in class b/c we are on block. I ask them 2 practice
I find this true in a bigger department! I find so much online
A3: is obvio! But I hear that iFLTeach is an extremely supportive environment, as well as (of course) forums!
A3: Getting myself to conferences and connecting online has been wonderful. I also can do so much with non-WL colleagues!
A3 regular meetings as a whole district department and as dept chair at high school, keeping in contact with them
A:3 I think collaboration and networking are so important for maintaining sanity and staying supported
A3: you're looking at mine! Also collab with other WL Ts, lots of tech integration via public resources
Conferences are a HUGE help for dept.s of 1! https://t.co/SyS3YQ4rcr
A3: Getting myself to conferences and connecting online has been wonderful. I also can do so much with non-WL colleagues!
My thoughts exactly! https://t.co/wQy85LM2WJ
A3: I love being ! But you Have to use your online PLN to collaborate or you will burn out quick!
have large-group convo w students--personalized Q&A, 'ask a story' (as in TPRS), read as a group, discuss a picture,...
I'm batting 500. Singleton and large classes. Love langchat, Pinterest, and all your blogs!!
A:3 and going to conferences, like and
A3: Having good colleagues in other depts also helps. We WL-types are the oddballs, but it's OK.
A3 Self-directed or decided PD is so important for dept. of 1 teachers!
A3: In theory, being involved in your affiliate. I loved my .
A3 PLN on Twitter and Facebook, listserv flteach, conferences & my techie kids teach me, too!
A3.5 , but and I are hoping to tackle this very topic at
A3- In my division there are voluntary round meetings so the "single"teacher of a particular lang can gtg with others singles.
A3: not a singleton but I love learning from other teachers of other subjects in my school
Aww thank you! Blogging has really helped me branch out to meet new teachers to collaborate with! https://t.co/1o78y4olZA
A3: annual conference was a huge help for me in the 5 years I was the department
A3 - we are a great support for one another. I have connected with teachers through to share and provide materials.
Gotta show some AFLTA love, too! Have 2 get involved in your state organizations. Low cost, high benefit! https://t.co/0V5OknfLyU
A3: In theory, being involved in your affiliate. I loved my .
A3 Teaching the same novel or song to different classes with slight differences helps with the multiple preps.
A3: I joined my district leadership team too and that's helped me connect locally to other WL teachers
Yes! I learn so much from wonderful colleagues! https://t.co/NXsKUx9DOQ
A3: not a singleton but I love learning from other teachers of other subjects in my school
A3 Almost always I've been the 1 Latin guy. I've had a great colleague in my sister school here. We collaborate often.
A3 singleton/ = same PLN/PLC opportunities online/outside school as everyone else, but more freedom!
Love these connections :) <3 https://t.co/n1fiFCjUWj
cool we have a couple of teachers at Dunwoody from CT haha! small world
A3 Going to conferences is another great way to not feel so alone. And, of course, ! :)
A3 Having Twitter, the different FB groups, and many Latin teacher friends helps me considerably!
A3: local Spanish teachers in our conference meet 1/mo to share & collaborate
Wish I could have personal PD w/ to name just a few
You're so right! I think we forget to focus on the ways being a can be awesome!
A3 Great pictures and resources and lessons on Pinterest also.
A3: you can also try reaching out to a nearby college for connections. Some post-secondary would love to recruit your top sts.
So much more room for experimentation with new methods, new teaching ideas when you're your own dept! https://t.co/GIheyASRHy
You're so right! I think we forget to focus on the ways being a can be awesome!
Yes! or do the same mini cultural unit in all levels differentiating for each https://t.co/kUK7zkkwCA
A3 Teaching the same novel or song to different classes with slight differences helps with the multiple preps.
A4 Twitter - blogs from my PLN
A4: Hands down 's Pinterest boards. (or Pinterest in general)
I am a Pinterest addict. Have 9,000 pins just for Spanish. Got to visit Pinterest headquarters. Bucket list
A4: Google image search, God help me
If I had to pick v unknown colleags T-ing same lang, I'd go . Hardly more work, and it's work I choose!
My dog is next to me & daughter is sitting on me
a4 i follow as many media outlets on twitter as possible and save allll the links!
A4: I forget I even have a pinterest account
!! https://t.co/08LnLY6Llz
If I had to pick v unknown colleags T-ing same lang, I'd go . Hardly more work, and it's work I choose!
A4 : Internet!! Radio Ambulante, remezcla, 20minutos, newsela el espectador , YouTube !
Come to California Wine Country
A4 infographics.jp - fab for Japn teachers
suggested searching your terms in the TL and looking for images to get infographics
A4 Pinterest, twitter, but honestly? My favorite comes from other teachers' blogs, especially if they come w/ activities!
Following etc has led me to awesome Latin and/or CI materials!
A4 another great authres source? your students! use their info/data!
A4 I waver on the best: diving into the big Google mess or using 's .
A4: Pinteret, Facebook Group US Teachers of French & Twitter feed from TL countries
And also and make my life real easy by sharing what they find!
so jealous!! Love Pinterest too!
A4 I scour blogs and Pinterest for ideas to use-- Ts are SMART! :)
A2: almost all of my classes are 30+ the key is keeping the lesson moving so no one gets bored enough to be off task
A4: blogs like and so many more!
Mil gracias to all of those that do the hard work of finding for us all! Will return the favor.. https://t.co/2SzhtGeKH7
A4 Pinterest, twitter, but honestly? My favorite comes from other teachers' blogs, especially if they come w/ activities!
A4 Google! I type in what I need and google finds it for me.
A4 - tougher finding info in Japn - so I tend to use authres and adapt
A4 The storify/wiki of tonight's after it's posted.
A4: sometimes I just try to think of a website that I use in English and search for it in the TL
Oohhhh, good idea! https://t.co/Cggp9EvLob
A4: sometimes I just try to think of a website that I use in English and search for it in the TL
A4 I also have a subscription to which can be used in many ways
A4: Howdy ! peeking in. Gotta say I've gotten some pretty sweet realia from fam & friends traveling abroad. Bring me anything paper
A4 Okapi. Worth renewing the $$$ subscription annually.
A4: internet and my college textbooks. Internet has been more helpful with finding that connect with the Ss
I learn a lot by dipping into chats related to all the areas of ed I write in - learn heaps!
true! My friend brought a few magazines and newspapers back to add to my library
A4 also: Netflix and atresplayer!
French mag for young teens. Lots of short articles with great pics, sometimes they treat a theme that I teach a unit on.
Oooooh! Thank you thank you thank you! But will not tell boss, still want him to buy paper copies : )
Q5 How can classical languages include more interpersonal activities and CI in their instruction?
A1: I do a lot of learning thru games. Prep for other teachers in Co. By supplementing what I know they expect their Ss to do
Q5 How can classical languages include more interpersonal activities and CI in their instruction? https://t.co/QXpJ2vBloX
A5 TPRS stories! The few I've attempted this year have helped me bring in new vocabulary but also unsheltered grammar
A5 The exact same ways as with any other language. I'm not being flippant--lots of Ts don't realize this!
A4 I bring all free pamphlets posters newspapers cereal boxes magazines menus tray liners when I go to Spain or Mexico
A5 Verba, the game by . It makes kids talk, and they love it!
A5: I'm doing it. Gonna be the broken record. Classicals should check out ! I promise I'm not being sponsored
A5 this would be good to know - kids at our school who don't want to speak in class take Latin. Help!
YES! Can't say enough great things about VERBA. This game is awesome. https://t.co/YqeYKzqtl3
A5 Verba, the game by . It makes kids talk, and they love it!
A5 Classical language Ts should--and are starting to--attend general lang teaching conferences (, , state confs...)
A5: Oh my! Are those crickets chirpping on ? I've got nothing.
A5: I'm always impressed with my Latin colleagues having students USE the Latin, compose & create, engage interpersonally
Something I really want to try to do more of in the near future. https://t.co/vnTbG5w0jS
A5 Classical language Ts should--and are starting to--attend general lang teaching conferences (, , state confs...)
A5 Just good interpersonal in general is w/Jenga game w/ numbers on blocks. Numbers match Qs on paper to ask when Ss pull block
A5: should they speak Latin or just write it? Spoken production of a dead language - why?
A5: teach it like a spoken language. Have Ss talk about themselves. If there isn't a Latin word for something, make one up!
A5: also I love brainstorming with about how to teach languages
A5 Here's my mega-page on teaching Latin in an ecstatic, research-supported, proficiency-oriented way https://t.co/zWbidXSQR4
Latin's not dead. Over 2000 yrs of continued literature. Latin's not different. Latina vivit! https://t.co/DKOJKVgJJP
A5: should they speak Latin or just write it? Spoken production of a dead language - why?
A5: It can be done. I attended a multihour seminar at University of KY where the sts discussed in LATIN.
A5: Besides the Vatican, is it spoken in any communities? Oh, and the Island.
Because proficiency involves all 3 modes, doesn't it? But even if not, speaking forces extemporaneous production
A5: We played UNUS today to review noun endings before the final! They HATE the "cape quattuor" cards! https://t.co/VXimztW4eu
A5: A grp of my Ss talk to each other in Latin all the time outside of class. Not always grammatically correct, but trying!!
A5 forthcoming Standards for Classical Language Learning include Interpersonal Comm and Presentational Speaking, along with rest
A5: This. Extemporaneous production. It's also the way sts were taught for hundreds of years. Literally. https://t.co/JkPbN4EDZI
Because proficiency involves all 3 modes, doesn't it? But even if not, speaking forces extemporaneous production
At events we proudly speak all Latin. Also has biweekly Latin speaking events. https://t.co/69rMHPvQxK
A5: Besides the Vatican, is it spoken in any communities? Oh, and the Island.
TA I learned that I teach pop-up grammar sometimes.
TA Communication must stay at the heart of what we do!
- Hey - that's how we ended up with French!!
A5 Oh sorry I meant has bimonthly Latin events! It's been a long week.
. mostly in small communities, as with . But also in lots of schools and colleges worldwide, including USA.
A5: Why speak ? I can't think of anything cooler. I am SO JEALOUS of those who can.
TA: 1)Latin is ALIVE! 2)Grammar can't get us down! and 3)We are the best support group around!
Amen! https://t.co/9TiQck7dir
TA: 1)Latin is ALIVE! 2)Grammar can't get us down! and 3)We are the best support group around!
Speaking Latin puts you into Cicero and Caesar's shoes. It also carries on an unbroken tradition. https://t.co/xVt6qe2ZNl
A5: Why speak ? I can't think of anything cooler. I am SO JEALOUS of those who can.
I don't know...you've never heard ME speak Pig Latin! I'm pretty good, just sayin'
Who wants to this summer? Let's hear from you!
https://t.co/F9JWKjOnJ2
Would you attend a weekly live chat at this time, even during the summer?
TA - great advice from all - thank you!!!!
TA So many great questions, so many great answers.
