ACTFL is the acronym for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. This professional organization is well known and well respected by world language educators, scholars, education administrators and government officials. Since its inception in 1967 ACTFL has been at the forefront of innovation with regard to Best … [Read more...] about What is ACTFL?
Experimenting with Free Voluntary Reading: First Semester Reflections
Last April I attended a Bryce Hedstrom workshop and it was nothing short of mind-blowing, as he presented one amazing comprehensible input strategy after another. When the day ended, my mind was pulsating with new ideas for my classroom, but there was one idea in particular that screamed at me to give it a try: Free Voluntary Reading. For those of … [Read more...] about Experimenting with Free Voluntary Reading: First Semester Reflections
The Aftermath: Spain and Morocco
La Alhambra - Granada, Spain When I wrote this, I had recently returned to the US and was in the comfort of my own home recuperating from a ten-day trip that began in Barcelona and ended in Morocco. Let me start by saying that I had a fabulous time with my five students, however, this was my first trip abroad with students via an educational tour … [Read more...] about The Aftermath: Spain and Morocco
Pre Travel Excitement: Spain and Morocco
Explorica's Ten Day Itinerary to Spain and Morocco When I was a high school student, some thirty-plus years ago, my Spanish teacher lead a trip to Spain and Morocco. Though I desperately wanted to go and experience all the history, geography and culture that I had been studying in books, I was ultimately not amongst the small group that ventured … [Read more...] about Pre Travel Excitement: Spain and Morocco
Taking The Dive Into CI
The Countdown As the school year quickly winds down, I can’t help but look forward to the next one with much anticipation and excitement. Yeah, it sounds crazy I know, because so many of us are beyond exhausted, expending our energy to motivate apathetic students who have been bitten by the Spring Fever bug and the Senior Slide virus. While I … [Read more...] about Taking The Dive Into CI
5 Great Reasons Why You Should Use Bell-Ringer Activities
During my twenty-four years of teaching, I had heard the term "bell-ringer" tossed around from time-to-time, but I had never really been compelled to learn more about it until last year, when I took a new job teaching at a public high school where bell-ringer activities were strongly encouraged, especially for those over achiever type teachers seeking a high … [Read more...] about 5 Great Reasons Why You Should Use Bell-Ringer Activities