actfl
November 18, 2023
Meet Jack, the mean clown who wants to help you remember the map to TL Memory Lane. Earlier this year, I blogged about the lessons we can learn from Lisa Genova‘s book Remember. Check out that blog post for a more in-depth look at the content of the book. I mentioned there that my dear […]
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November 18, 2019
Drum roll… IT’S ACTFL WEEK! I skipped ACTFL last year because let’s face it, it is not cheap to try to pull that trip off when you don’t have institutional or corporate support, and I gladly admit I had zero FOMO – and you shouldn’t have it either. ACTFL is a great experience, and I’m […]
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September 19, 2019
One thing at a time: Step Two
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So you want to become a better language teacher, and that’s awesome! You’ve laid a good foundation in getting to know some sound research principles involving how people acquire and learn languages thanks to Steve Smith. Now, it’s time for Step 2. Is the foundation important? Absolutely, it’s critical. But to build on that foundation […]
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May 21, 2019
You teach, you input, you provide experiences, you assess, you re-assess, you plan and prepare and teach again. At some point, I think we all wonder deep down – what if someone else were assessing them? What would the results be? Not here to #showyoumine I’m adamantly against such middle school showmanship reflected in tactics […]
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February 15, 2018
Last fall, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, together with the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages, released a newly designed, re-imagined set of Can-Do statements. Have you taken a look yet? Maybe not, it’s okay. You’re already trying to use all the good pedagogy tips everyone’s been telling you about to plan […]
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December 20, 2017
In the month of December I’ve normally taken somewhat of a break from blogging. But wait, Sra. Musicuentos, all of 2017 has been “somewhat of a break” from blogging. I know. And my personal life is appreciating it very much. In any case, in what remains of this December I still hope to post a few pseudo-typical […]
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November 18, 2017
I’m having a great time at the annual convention of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages! My co-presenter and I thought we uploaded our handouts in enough time to have them available on the app, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. So, for our attendees and you there on your […]
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November 15, 2017
The tweets and photos and haircuts (yes, #ACTFLhaircuts) have started. It’s that time again, everyone. Thousands of world language professionals are headed to Nashville this week for the annual convention of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. I’m thankful the convention has come so close to home this time! My schedule this […]
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November 14, 2016
Where will I meet you? I’d love to learn with you at any of these professional development opportunities this year. ACTFL Convention & Expo 2016 I’m headed to the annual Convention and Expo of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (gulp) THIS WEEK. I am participating in three sessions at the convention, […]
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October 31, 2016
How did you get to be a proficient speaker of your second (or third, etc.) language? I need your help. In just over two weeks (two weeks!) I’ll be giving one of the ImpACTFL Voice talks at the ACTFL Exposition & Convention. The topic is “Pathways to Proficiency.” It’s no secret I love to talk about […]
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July 11, 2016
Quiz for you: What percentage of target language use does the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages recommend teachers and students use in the classroom? Almost every teacher I know and work with can answer this question. How could we not when it becomes such a torment for so many? Answer: 90% or higher. […]
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November 27, 2015
Your turkey is digested and your shopping is all done. Now, are you ready for a shocking confession? Last week at the 2015 ACTFL Convention & Expo in San Diego, California, I was not able to attend a single session other than the ones I collaborated on. Shocking, I know. Part of the reason was […]
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