World Language Classroom

#230It’s the start of new year and a chance to recharge our educator battery. Sometimes a little easier said than done, I know. In this episode, recorded at the NYSAFT Annual Conference in Albany, NY, we are going to look at ways to make sure that your teaching  spark is still alive and well. Will Andersson joins me for this insightful conversation. He is a long time language teacher and language department administrator.  He is now an Associate Dean at Hofstra University’s School of Education. Will shares practical and actionable ways to recharge our educator battery.Topics in this Episode:The State of the Profession: the biggest factors that either drain or recharge educators todaySustainable Teaching: practical, everyday strategies teachers can use to sustain their energy and passion throughout the school yearMentorship and Renewal:  the value of mentoring student teachers and how working with the next generation of educators can help seasoned teachers feel energized in their own practiceConnection and Community: the role of professional communities (colleagues, conferences, online spaces) in recharging our educator batterAdvice for Language Educators: how to stay connected to your “why” and keep your professional battery chargedConnect with Will Anderson:Email: [email protected] Few Ways We Can Work Together:Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#229What do you do when there is a change in your schedule, like shortened class time because of a delayed opening?  What if several students need to miss class because of a school event or responsibility? This is sometimes the reality of our teaching.  We had a plan, but need to figure out in the moment how to best use the time we have. This is where sponge activities are useful. Jessica Hall, a Spanish teacher in Connecticut, joins me to talk about what we can do when we find ourselves in these situations. Topics in this Episode:what sponge activities are and why are they such an important tool for language teachershow can sponge activities help teachers make sure that every minute in the classroom is purposeful and engagingstrategies to adjust the same sponge activity so it works for beginners as well as more advanced learnershow do you keep sponge activities fun and interactive while still ensuring that they support language growthsimple low-to-prep sponge activities you can try right awayPDF with all the activities that Jessica mentions in the episodeConnect with Jessica Hall from Miss Señorita:Instagram: @MissSenoritaTptA Few Ways We Can Work Together:Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#228Do you use stories in your classroom? Do you have some engaging ways for students to, well, engage with those stories? In this third episode of the CI Toolbox series, we look at storytelling and narrative-based activities that hook students through emotion, curiosity, and creativity. You’ll learn how to deliver compelling stories, co-write summaries with students, and use video clips as interactive narratives, all while keeping input comprehensible and student-centered.Topics in this Episode:Stories provide context, emotion, and predictability. The foundation for language acquisition. They build engagement and allow us to recycle high-frequency structures meaningfully.Story Listening: Deliver rich input by telling stories live, with built-in visual and physical support.Write and Discuss: Reinforce and recycle the story language through co-created written text.Clip Chat: Turn short video clips into interactive storytelling experiences.Ep 218: 6 Activities for Interaction and Discussion in the Language ClassroomEp 222: 6 Reading and Writing Activities in the CI ClassroomCI ToolboxA Few Ways We Can Work Together:Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#227Have you noticed how a well-chosen reading can spark curiosity in your students? Reading can be one of the most engaging, communicative parts of your language class. With the right support, reading is incredibly empowering for students. In this episode, we’ll explore how pre-, during-, and post-reading activities can give your students the confidence and tools to dive into texts with purpose and curiosity. You’ll walk away with a practical framework you can use tomorrow, or even today.Topics in this Episode:Reading is more than a comprehension check—it’s a gateway to vocabulary growth, cultural exploration, and communicative opportunities.5 Key Benefits of Reading in the World Language ClassroomReading Provides the Input That Drives AcquisitionReading Builds Vocabulary and Grammar NaturallyReading Strengthens Interpretive Skills That Transfer to All ModesReading Lowers Anxiety and Builds ConfidenceReading Opens the Door to Culture and Authentic CommunicationReading FrameworkPre-Reading: Set the Stage for SuccessDuring Reading: Focus Their AttentionPost-Reading: Extend the LearningReady For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: Engaging Reading Activities That Build ProficiencyA Few Ways We Can Work Together:Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#226Have you ever played an audio or clip for your class, only to see blank stares and puzzled expressions? It’s not that your students aren’t listening—it’s that they need tools to know how to listen. In this episode, we’ll explore three essential strategies: prediction, summarizing, and focus tasks. These make listening more intentional, more engaging, and more effective. Whether your learners are novices or advanced, these techniques will help them process language with purpose and confidence.Topics in this Episode:Listening isn’t passive, it’s active.When students predict what they might hear, listen with a specific purpose, and summarize afterward, they aren’t just hearing language they’re processing it in real time. This builds comprehension, retention, and confidence, no matter the proficiency level. We are supporting the skill in ways that won’t happen in real situations, but students are learning the skill of listening in our classrooms (with our support) that they will transfer to realistic situations where they will draw on these skills and have the confidence.Classroom Strategies:Prediction Before ListeningFocus Tasks During ListeningSummarizing After ListeningReady For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: Build Strong Listening SkillsA Few Ways We Can Work Together:Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.