#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.
Good evening, #langchat! As we all arrive, tell us who you are, where you are, what you teach, and something positive that happened this week! #langchat
Chris, Latin 1-3, Buffalo, NY; my Latin 1 kids wrote some awesome timed writes on their quiz today and my Latin 2 kids are getting into their new year-long class story! #langchat
Hi everyone! Amanda from Lawrence, KS. Spanish teacher levels 1-2. This week we started our Music Madness for Hispanic Heritage Month, so that has been fun! #langchat
Ada, French 2-5 in Virginia Beach, VA. My positive is the Ss beginning to understand that I will meet them at their level to help them grow and progress to the desired level. #langchat
Bonsoir! Good night! Buenas! Boa noite! Buona sera! My name is Francesca Martinez and I am teaching 4 French Immersion Science and Drama classes (1-3) and two Core French classes (1-3). Coaching the boys tonight, was a highlight of my week. #langchat
And my positive thing this week is I was able to strengthen relationships with some ss who were struggling to adjust to HS expectations and rigor. #langchat
I'm Wendy, teaching French 1 and AP in NE Ohio. My positive story is that I've been working with a new colleague and I feel like I have SO MUCH TIME to do things while planning with someone else! #langchat
Hola #langchat! I am Allison & I teach all levels of Spanish in Iowa. This week my level 2 classes have been a shining light & so into all activities surrounding our first novel of the year 😊
Hey #langchat! Long time no see! I'm Laura in NC--no longer a Spanglish teacher. I would say getting caught up on grading for 170 kids over the #hurrication was pretty good.
Tonight's chat is all about collaboration, which can sometimes prove frustrating. While we get ready to chat, I want to remind everyone that #langchat is a positive place to learn and grow.
Hola mi #langchat gente. I teach middle school Spanish using the Exprésate 1 & 2 books in Austin, TX. My student wrote this on the board & couldn’t wait to share (we’re learning indirect object pronouns.) 🤗 Their enthusiasm fuels me 🤗
Hi! #langchat French 1,2,4 this term in southside VA. We dodged the storm last week, but we did have 2 hurricane days. I feel much more rested as we begin our second six-weeks grading period.
Hi I’m Vanessa, I teach French 2-4 right out of Boston. My something positive- my first French club meeting was today and we had a great turnout! And many ideas! #langchat
Casual reminder that #langchat follows a Q/A format, where you respond to the question by putting A1 (A2, A3, etc) in your tweet along with the hashtag - #langchat
We have a new PLC, and I like that it gives me time to really dig deep and reflect with some topics like podcasts and time to discuss with other teachers #langchat
#langchat A1 curation of resources! It's one of our department goals this year, and I'm so looking forward to having all of our authentic texts (with context) in one place!
We don't do this (PLC time) as we are a very small private school - but my learning community is the numerous groups of teachers on here and the FB groups who are there for me on a daily basis! #langchat
A1 My PLC is very productive. We come with a list of things that need done, and we split the tasks up among us. Give each a due date, and we're good to discuss other things during our time together. #langchat
A1: I think this depends on what the goal for the PLC meeting is. I think bringing #authres in order to help build common IPAs or common assessments really help maximize teacher productivity. Dividing the workload also helps. #langchat
A1 My PLC is very productive. We come with a list of things that need done, and we split the tasks up among us. Give each a due date, and we're good to discuss other things during our time together. #langchat
A1 Tough for me to answer, our district does not have a WL PLC that is supported. Very sad. I do work collaboratively with 1 Spanish colleague who is proficiency oriented and we share grading and design practices. #langchat
Same girl! I. My building I am with the English teachers (who are awesome) & once per month I get to meet with other #deptof1 Spanish teachers in my area #langchat
What kind of things make it on the list? Also, follow up question: what if you can't ever actually show up to the same meeting as ANYONE else in your department? #langchat
A1 we have weekly PD time, sometimes in departments, sometimes whole school, but being able to get our ducks in a row as far as vertical alignment goes is great. #langchat
A1 When it comes to other colleagues, there are two Spanish teachers in my school, they're good people, and they respect what I do to keep Latin relevant #langchat
Resources that need created/tweaked, #authres to find, quizzes to create! And I'd recommend that someone takes notes to share out after the meeting? #langchat
A1- I’ve done study groups to align curriculum across the languages to arrive at AP. We are planning one this year to create a level 5 curriculum. I think having all languages represented make sure all have same goals #langchat
A1: we come up with goals ahead of time and then find out where our common ground is to reach those goals. @MartinaBex’s Somos 1 curriculum really gives us a chance to look ahead and think about how we want to execute a unit too! #langchat
I will mention that we meet in PLCs by language so there used to be two, but now three of us. I think the smaller number works to our advantage. #langchat
JEALOUS. We are struggling to allocate time resources in a productive manner. (I do a lot of PLC work on my own time...which doesn't make it any less valuable, but isn't really the point.) #langchat
Hola #langchat Sarah from Saratoga Springs. New to the school and a great big dept! I’ll hop on and off since I gotta get little one bathed and asleep👩👦
A1: In our dept of 2 we are also able to have ongoing conversations outside of set meeting times to give us a chance to talk things out, too! Not all planning time has to take place on a schedule! #langchat
A1) Lesson planning, reviewing student work, comparing best practices to determine if what we're doing in class is actually working. If we're having the necessary conversations with colleagues then our creativity runs wild! #langchat
IM RUNNING TARDE LIKE ALWAYS BUT ESTOY AQUIIIIIIII hola #langchat I’m Michelle from the NY finger lakes region here, excited for some great conversations! 🎉🎉🎉
It’s silly but it helps when ALL the level 4 kids are doing the same project or theme or whatever so one language doesn’t get the rep of being “easier” or “harder” #langchat
A2: this one is hard for me because I’m always wanting to change things. I try to find the best in whatever we’re doing and focus on that. There are a few things I have trouble compromise on. #langchat
A2 We have to submit lesson plans every 2 weeks this year and follow a strict template. It's hard to put into words sometimes what I do on a daily basis, but I hope from what I write they can see I incorporate several modalities and stay true to my CI philosophy #langchat
A2 I think that the ONLY way that we can make it work - be true and genuine but also open and attentive to others. If we're not honest and willing to listen, no collaboration will ever happen. #langchat
Q2: I think it’s fair for every teacher to have that one unit that they are passionate about. We don’t have to like everything but we should take ownership of what we can really get behind. #langchat
A2 I think that common goals, rubrics, and activities are super helpful, but you have to put your own personality into what you do in the classroom. #langchat
A2: For me, it is making the adjustments needed that best fit my Ss and teaching style. We discuss our approaches towards various strategies and methods & how they work with our Ss. If I compromise for my Ss and it works, then I'm happy. #langchat
A2- I think knowing that I can’t teach the way you do, but as long as our end goals are the same, it’s ok. We talk about this a lot in my dept- need to be authentically me to be effective #langchat
A2 My "why" is serving students to the best of my ability, and advocating for them . Committing to standards-based, proficiency oriented instruction is what can/should keep all moving in the same direction. #langchat
A2) Ts can be true to themselves while working on collaborative and common goals by not losing their own voice in trying to mimic someone else's lesson or strategy. Take what you need and leave what you don't. Be YOUrself. We are all unique, creative and passionate Ts! #langchat
IM RUNNING TARDE LIKE ALWAYS BUT ESTOY AQUIIIIIIII hola #langchat I’m Michelle from the NY finger lakes region here, excited for some great conversations! 🎉🎉🎉
A1 We have time to collab each week (7 Ts) but are still working on "rowing together in the same direction" It is a process and has gotten easier over the years, but still a ways to go. #langchat
But also, encourage everyone to bring their favorite activity to the meeting. You can be true to yourself, and give everyone the opportunity to be excited about something #langchat
A2: I think this is a tough one, really. While some of us CAN direct the HOW, what if we can't change the WHAT? I'm dealing with this, and it's FRUSTRATING. #langchat
A2 I have no idea... I've always been either a singleton or such a force of nature that I was doing most of the driving. Not sure how it works for other teachers trying to do the things I'm doing... #langchat
A2 I've gotten caught up in doing the same things as colleagues, but as long as the end result is the same, who cares how/on what day it happens? I don't want to teach just like someone else as much as they don't want to be just like me! #langchat
THIS! It also shows that were united, have common goals and want all kids to have equal opportunities in succeeding in the language. No teacher gets labeled this or that. We're perceived as a team and respected for that. #langchat
It’s silly but it helps when ALL the level 4 kids are doing the same project or theme or whatever so one language doesn’t get the rep of being “easier” or “harder” #langchat
Yes yes yes!! Our level 4s are doing a vacation unit across languages right now- but I KNOW we are all teaching it different and that TOTALLY fine #langchat
A2 I've gotten caught up in doing the same things as colleagues, but as long as the end result is the same, who cares how/on what day it happens? I don't want to teach just like someone else as much as they don't want to be just like me! #langchat
So now that I have a department...does that mean I have to give up ownership of 3/4 units? I feel like the benchmarks and requisite units are already sucking a lot out of me... #langchat
Yes!!! What works for me probably won’t work for you, and vice versa. I love having this type of freedom in my classroom(and the support of an awesome director!) #langchat
A2- I think knowing that I can’t teach the way you do, but as long as our end goals are the same, it’s ok. We talk about this a lot in my dept- need to be authentically me to be effective #langchat
A2: I think @CarolGaab said it best when she said that you can’t mimic what other teachers do bc you can only be yourself! It’s when you start comparing yourself to other teachers that it can wear you down. At the end of the day you know you and you know your kids. #langchat
A2 I need help with this. I think I'm just closing the door and subverting all over because we're so spread out, and I have planning with NONE of my peeps #langchat
A2 This can be a challenge when there are VERY different ideas about "good" intruction. There is a lot of room for different approaches to proficiency, but proficiency needs to be the common goal. Sometimes it's a hard sell. #langchat
Agreed. But, what I'm finding is that some Ts don't really know what proficiency means...and they think that they are teaching towards proficiency. Everyone needs to be on the same page with what it means #langchat
I don't think it's subverting. You're interpreting the units based on your experience; until you get a whole PD day to bounce ideas around, there's only so much you can do. #langchat
Whether it’s our first year or our fifteenth year we all went into teaching language for a reason - to share a love of language & cultures w/ others, work w/ kids, etc. It’s important for us to build bridges, not walls & find strengths in all of us #langchat
A2 This can be a challenge when there are VERY different ideas about "good" intruction. There is a lot of room for different approaches to proficiency, but proficiency needs to be the common goal. Sometimes it's a hard sell. #langchat
Yes- but what I also know is that it is really HARD to change especially when you don't necessarily want to. I want to be empathetic to everyone #langchat
A2: Collaboration is a skill which students need to learn in order to be 21st-century, digital, global citizens, yet how can we teach it if teachers themselves cannot seem to understand its importance & relevance in their own professional lives? #langchat
A3 This is something I think we all need guidance with - being the only CI person in my school requires a lot of explanation on my part sometimes. Especially when I have to show the "rigor" of what I am doing. Language learning in itself is rigor! Why not make it fun? #langchat
True, collaboration can be hard, but there are SO many good ideas out there.... I am often so amazed what others are doing that I had never thought about #langchat
A3: Overall, I try to think of suggestions that can apply to all even if they teach with a more traditional approach, but will aim to practicing for proficiency #langchat
It is. I think that people get caught up in thinking it all has to look the same way, but that's not how it is. We need common goals, and we need to all know/understand them intimately so we can incorporate strategies to help Ss meet them. #langchat
A3 I think consuming common information--reading articles, listening to podcasts, analyzing resources--is a great jumping off point for productive communication. #langchat
A3 My standard for when conversations get stuck in the little details is, "we don't have to decide right now." It doesn't always work, but giving everyone time to process at their own speed can be helpful. #langchat
A3, Book studies! 'You're never a prophet in your own town', but when people see that others outside of YOUR circle believe something, it can open some doors to further conversation #langchat
Yes! At a leadership workshop, I heard the phrase “call people in, don’t call them out” and it made so much sense! Be your best self for your students, and eventually your colleagues will want to learn from you, too #langchat
A3: super interested to see what others say. right now I'm trying to be open and share what is happening in my room, inviting others in to observe and give me feedback #langchat
A3: in my department some people will share blogs or articles about a specific topic ahead of time so people can process it at their own pace and come ready to discuss #langchat
A3, Book studies! 'You're never a prophet in your own town', but when people see that others outside of YOUR circle believe something, it can open some doors to further conversation #langchat
A3: For me, it is going with possible scenarios that are based off what I have heard or what a fellow PLC member has come to me for advice. I also bring up CI and proficiency with ideas on moving in that direction. #langchat
A3 I think consuming common information--reading articles, listening to podcasts, analyzing resources--is a great jumping off point for productive communication. #langchat
Whole-heartedly agree!! This can be a powerful tool for building consensus. We leverage this to stay motivated on TL use. "I want my students to speak English in class." said no language teacher...ever. 😁 #langchat
A3 maybe share ideas workshop-style or show-and-tell style; show what you are doing; give ideas without judging; maybe let people visit your class #langchat
Also in the wise words of @SraSpanglish - try to work with people who are walking instead of trying to convince people sitting on the bench to get up and run #langchat
A3 I'm at a loss, I've been frustrated due to our particular dysfunctional situation. I've got one colleague totally on board the proficiency bus with me, but otherwise...🤷 #langchat
A3: feedback & collaboration is a two way street - if you’re willing to share ideas, it’s important to be open to listening to other perspectives & ideas as well #langchat
A3 I’m fortunate in that my school is bringing some outside PD in which we’re hoping will spur some more convos and movement toward proficiency by all #langchat
A2: Following curriculum guidelines, checking in to see if you are on the right track. Being opened to new ideas and resources. Doing something that you know works well and that is accessible.#langchat
A3: when we keep students at the forefront of our discussions in can keep the personal feelings out of it. Students’ success is our success and what works for some may not work for others. It’s important that we remember that we don’t work in a cookie cutter way #langchat
I had just written (and erased) “agree to disagree” because sometimes that’s all you can do. I have a pretty cohesive dept so there aren’t too many “divisive” convos #langchat
we were trying to get admin to help us cover so we could go watch each other..but it seems like everyone just has such a full plate that the swapping might not happen :/ #langchat
In reply to
@SraSpanglish, @welangley, @profelopez716, @MmeFarab, @CanvasLMS
I understand where you all are coming from too. I just learn to keep doing what I do, keep producing wonderful results from students, and let their work do the talking. My students are what I come to school for everyday. They continually impress me with their ability. #langchat
@tiffanytruitt the #langchat discussion would probably be right up you're alley! You should check it out! I've only ever been able to read transcripts and comment after the fact before. It's awesome to be part of it in real time!!
A4: OHHHHHH..I avoid conflict. I just don't share. :( I focus on what I can affect--my classroom--and do what I think is best for my Ss. I share if asked, but otherwise I'm content being the note taker at our meetings. #langchat
Yeah, I switched with one friend who teaches all the Native Speakers courses herself so I could be with level 1 peeps 1x, but trying to leave something useful was tough #langchat
In reply to
@Marishawkins, @afulks2013, @welangley, @profelopez716, @MmeFarab, @CanvasLMS
I understand where you all are coming from too. I just learn to keep doing what I do, keep producing wonderful results from students, and let their work do the talking. My students are what I come to school for everyday. They continually impress me with their ability. #langchat
@tiffanytruitt the #langchat discussion would probably be right up your alley! You should check it out! I've only ever been able to read transcripts and comment after the fact before. It's awesome to be part of it in real time!!
Put that bus in 2nd gear and keep driving. You won’t convince someone that’s not willing to be convinced. I’m glad you’ve got a buddy! What a gift! #langchat
A3 Sharing what students are able to do is powerful and sparks curiosity. Continuously asking ourselves and others, "What would you like to be different in your class?" "How would you like it to look and sound?" #langchat
A4 I think the key might be having leadership within your PLC/department/group who can say, "let's table this for now" and move on to other things. The key to many successes lies in effective leadership. #langchat
A4: frankly I just keep going back to the world-readiness standards as the core of any argument. Is assessment X measuring performance according to the indicators in any given section? If no, let's talk about it how to do it better #langchat
A4 Always remember our students matter the most. Every day, every way. We language teachers must remain dedicated to including everyone in our classroom. #langchat
A4: I have not had to really experience this in one of our meetings yet. I would probably do the same thing I do with others outside of meetings: Take a deeeeeepppp breath and say "Let's discuss that later and return to what we have on the agenda." #langchat
A3: Many times, you have to "agree to disagree" & move on. Let your student results speak for you, instead of arguing over methodology. There comes a point where it is totally unproductive - stop "casting your pearls before swine" #langchat
Healthy, productive conflict, sure. But negative, resentful conflict just hurts feeling and causes rifts. It's important to know which kind you're dealing with! #langchat
OK, so maybe here is where my #langchat positivity comes in! Maybe I make it a point to schedule visits to at least 2 classes each week!! And that could be my PLCing? I could report on awesome stuff colleagues are doing!!🤓🤗😲
In reply to
@afulks2013, @welangley, @profelopez716, @MmeFarab, @CanvasLMS
Q4: table the discussion if it moves to conflict. Take a step back and reevaluate with more outside resources. Sometimes it’s just a matter of change that can cause conflict. Change can be scary for some! It’s okay to recognize that! #langchat
omg I am actually awake for a #langchat! :D A4: I try to validate both people's feelings (if appropriate - if one of them is ridiculous, I will tell them why they are wrong) and then move on
A4 I'd rather talk about disagreements than conflicts. We can disagree and be able to manage effectively our issues without it resulting in a conflict. Unfortunately, often disagreement is interpreted as conflict when it means conversation is needed. #langchat
A4 #langchat But on a serious note, I think it’s important to think about what we can control, keep doing awesome things, & focus on the positives. “Not every day is great, but there’s something great in everyday.” Thanks @jaimesweller for the inspiration 💕
Oops, and I realized we are talking about adults and not students. They're less likely to be ridiculous, but I still stand for validation. Mostly people just want to feel like they're being heard. #langchat
A4: I've also started to insist that we move away from "I feel" statements and instead keep things focused on actual outcomes or evidence-based conversations -- "I feel like this really helps the students" or "I feel like they need to know this..." aren't productive #langchat
A2: I think @CarolGaab said it best when she said that you can’t mimic what other teachers do bc you can only be yourself! It’s when you start comparing yourself to other teachers that it can wear you down. At the end of the day you know you and you know your kids. #langchat
A5 Technology, social media, online platforms, being able to network with people all over the world, something we couldn't do just a few short years ago so easily #langchat
A4: I think disagreements are bound to happen bc we all have our own things that work for us and maybe not others. When you keep the focus as to why you’re doing something, the how can always vary. Don’t negate what someone else does just bc it doesn’t work for you. #langchat
A5: Google Drive, Google Calendar, Schoology and @Flipgrid . I am beginning to use it with my department to share ideas and thoughts on goals. #langchat
A4: Focus on what you can control. Agree to disagree. Speak up as much as you feel comfortable to make your voice heard. Conflict can be tough! #langchat
Exactly - several times I'll hear teachers talk about students and I'll say "she's doing fine in my class" - I can't necessarily explain how or why, it's more a sense of they know they can succeed in learning a language... and they're interested in it. #langchat
A5 I love sharing things in Google, but I love that so many tech tools have shareable options: Schoology, Wizer, EdPuzzle, etc. I'd use Google for everything if I could use my own fonts! #langchat
As an aside, purchase "While We're On the Topic" for any administrator with whom you regularly interact. It'll change their perspective immensely and give you an incredible ally. #langchat
I hear you. I've learned to temper my thoughts. I prefer to stay quiet and focus on listening, so that when I do contribute, it's better received. Well, at least I try...it's a work in progress! #langchat
As an aside, purchase "While We're On the Topic" for any administrator with whom you regularly interact. It'll change their perspective immensely and give you an incredible ally. #langchat
A5 #langchat
GTL: Google, Twitter, Links.
I’m laughing at myself for making a Jersey Shore reference, but it was perfect for my three favorite things regarding collaboration!
A5- but also email because sometimes drive overwhelms me! And good old paper copies and face to face convos. My dept is close, so sometimes we even text each other ideas #langchat
A5 seriously though this year a co-worker and I moved to a shared spreadsheet for planning and sharing resources and it has been SO useful to share who has made what for which class and when...I would perish without it and her! go team! #langchat
A5: it’s been said already but Google drive is life. We can edit and build docs together, share easily. It makes us way easier to streamline lessons for sure! #langchat
Case in point: if you had told me 20+ years ago when I was in high school that I could speak Latin with people all across the world at any time over the then-brand new Internet, I would've thought you were crazy. Sed nunc fieri potest! #langchat
A5 Technology, social media, online platforms, being able to network with people all over the world, something we couldn't do just a few short years ago so easily #langchat
My whole Japn teacher transformation has been aided by an amazing French teacher in our dept! It all starts with "What do you do for.../when...." #langchat
Yes! My French colleagues have a group chat for school, but also personal things! It makes PLC nicer when you can bond outside of school as well! #langchat
But like...how do you GET that in synch? Like, is it fate, or was there something you did to lay the foundations? Pretty sure all my plans look like gibberish to anyone outside my head #langchat
Looks like this! I started using both and we've moved to just using the one spreadsheet together. there's a sheet for each level that we flip between, and add notes on the far right #langchathttps://t.co/6iLKW4ft6A
TA: #langchat community, you the real PLC for me! But also, I need to work on a positive outlook and try to be patient as I continue to bear witness to proficiency oriented instruction, which I believe is the most equitable, accessable form of WL instruction. It's best for (1/2)
TA Be open to any criticism/advice/suggestions department heads/curriculum directors may have. It's not meant to be negative, they want to help us any way they can. #langchat
It really does! Almost my whole dept came to my wedding, and we’ve (almost all) gone to a couple others! Things like that make work less work and more fun #langchat
When I co-taught a Spanish IB course, Google Drive was CRUCIAL for collaborating. (We could tackle a test from our own couches! I look back on those days fondly...) Now that I sole-teach, I rely on chats like these, Pinterest, emailing old colleagues, and EdPuzzle #langchat
A5 I am a Google girl working in a Microsoft world, but it works. I love a lot of OneNote features and use for personal organization. For dept. and district we use @CanvasLMS to organize, share, and discuss. It's messy sometimes, but it works. 😁#langchat
both, I think. In some ways we are very similar, in others our department has worked REALLY hard to work in sync for several years so the foundations were there. in other ways we've had to break out pens/paper to draw out what we could not explain to each other! #langchat
TA: listen more. And I'm so glad my department is 95% on the same page when it comes to teaching for proficiency. It was a long road getting here, but so so worth it. #langchat
TA: Collaboration and Listening is Key. I got to be ME. Technology always has some great advantages but speaking face-to-face also models what we want our Ss to become: effective and understood communicators. There are many roads w/bumps that lead to the same end. #langchat
TA: It is one of my goals but I want to be better about popping into other teacher's classrooms to observe- especially in different divisions (elementary, middle) since we are a k-12 school #langchat
Thanks everyone for a fantastic #langchat tonight! Kudos to @VTracy7@SraWilliams3 and @welangley for helping out, but you aaaaaaall know what time it is for Wendy:
