January 17, 2014
Sometimes, the business world comes up with a really great idea that works well in education. Sometimes, that idea catches on like wildfire and makes a big difference for student learning. Sometimes, it doesn’t. At least, not for everyone. Particularly those of us who might be considered “early adopters” have a bad habit of hearing […]
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January 14, 2014
Website review: Geoguessr
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Since my fourth suggestion for a 2014 resolution was to take a step outside the textbook, here’s an easy idea that gives you a way to do that. I recently heard about the web app Geoguessr and I’ll warn you, it’s addictive. Basically, the app gives you Google Earth photos of seemingly random places in […]
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January 10, 2014
What an important resolution to make! If you’re only going to make one resolution this year, there are so many options to choose from – more comprehensible input would probably be the top one I’d pick. But this one is so close. My last suggestion for a resolution for 2014 is to 5. Use more […]
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January 7, 2014
If you’ve read me long, you’ve heard it before – no matter how good the textbook is, at least in my experience, it’s never motivated students past September, and it’s out of date as soon as it’s printed. Of course there are lots of other arguments – artificial order, ridiculously expensive supplements, faulty companion assessments, […]
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January 6, 2014
If you haven’t subscribed to these blogs yet, get on it! These innovative teachers started blogging in 2013 (or not long before) and are generously sharing their great ideas and advice: 1. Maris Hawkins With Brillante Viernes and game and activity ideas, Maris Hawkins shares what’s shaking things up in her middle school classroom. 2. AmyLenord.net One […]
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January 5, 2014
After you’ve decided which research-based book to read and how to collaborate with another teacher, how about resolving to survey your students? My third suggestion for a 2014 resolution is: 3. Survey your students. We all know the power of honest feedback. Have you ever invited your students to give you constructive feedback? I’ve surveyed […]
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January 3, 2014
After you’ve decided which research-based book to read, how about resolving to collaborate with another teacher on something? My second suggestion for a 2014 resolution is: 2. Collaborate with another teacher on a project. One of my mottos is that collaboration is the 21st-century skill. Wow, what a wide world is opened to us now! My […]
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January 1, 2014
2014 Resolutions #1: Read a book
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Last year I blogged a popular post called 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Every WL Teacher and in it I suggested that WL teachers: Speak more target language in the classroom. Get students speaking more target language in the classroom. Target students’ particular needs. Try something new. Share what you’ve learned. The post earned such […]
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December 30, 2013
The reaction to my post titled Top 3 Mistakes Teachers of Novices Make startled me to say the least. The ACTFL TOY called it a “must read.” My blog traffic jumped 600% in one day. It’s been accessed twice as much as the next most popular post in the last six months. Something here resonated […]
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December 27, 2013
2013’s second most popular post offers tips for those of us approaching the new world language AP exams. The world of AP World Language teachers is all abuzz with the vast changes made to the exams this year. Six years ago the Spanish language exam changed to what was a more proficiency-based format. Last year […]
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December 24, 2013
2013’s third most read post is about an update to my most popular project, homework choice. Stay tuned in 2014 for how these updates are going in my class – including one student’s feedback call to Nescafe. The homework choice approach is probably my most popular idea ever (it’s a toss-up between that and the […]
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December 21, 2013
2013’s fourth most popular post is a novice-level activity suggestion using the Latin Grammy’s Song of the Year, Marc Anthony’s Voy a vivir. His performance at the Latin Grammys is sure to get everyone moving and singing to the music! —————- The most popular Latin pop song in the country has NOVICE written all over […]
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