I’m on my way back from home from the return of the NECTFL conference in NYC and my head is spinning with ideas for writing my own blog posts. While that’s going to have to wait a little while, here is my summary of posts that caught my attention this week.

  • The Big List of Discussion Strategies

    While not intended for a world language audience, this Cult of Pedagogy posts shares some ideas on how to get kids to discuss (talk in the target language). Each strategy includes an overview and link to an example video and I can see just about all of them in a language classroom. Try them and let me know which ones you liked.  Read Jennifer’s post –>

  • Let Authres Take the Lead ~ Step 3

    Megan from the Creative Language Class, finishes their series on using authentic resources as the foundation for lessons. Reading through it just reminds me think how much fun it must have been to be a student in her class. I’m engaged wanting to learn Spanish just following along her planning process. Enough said: Go read Megan’s post for yourself–>

  • Improving Teacher Language Proficiency

    Until my daughter was born, I’ll admit that my German proficiency had fallen drastically and teacher language proficiency is a real problem. I simply wasn’t using enough German on a daily basis and was starting to sound like a Level 1 German speaker. Spanish teacher, Carrie Toth, writes a very honest reminder that all teachers should read. And while you may not be able to implement the same solution as she does, you may want to think about developing a plan to improves or maintains your language proficiency. Read Carrie’s post –>

  • On Student Voice : Seating and Other Classroom Comforts

    So often we think we don’t have any control over the set-up of our room and yes, many classrooms have probably way too many desks or chairs in them. French teacher, Cristy Vogel, shares her attempt in letting students decide where, how and with whom the learners sit in her room and shows you the results of an interesting survey about the learning environment in her classroom. Read Cristy’s post –>

  • “The Power Feedback” Summary: Part One

    Yet another non-world language educator post that has implications for our field. English teacher, Robin Neal, is starting a series of posts in which he will share his thinking on the role of feedback. In the post he reminds us that feedback should help students answer these three questions: Where am I going? How am I going? Where to next? With all the pressures of grading put upon teachers, this is a much appreciated perspective. Read Robin’s post –>

Happy Reading and don’t forget to share your favorite blog posts with me in the comments!

Published by Thomas Sauer

Thomas Sauer is the Director of Design and Communication for AdvanceLearning and an independent consultant. He previously held positions as world language specialist in the Fayette County Public Schools and Jefferson County Public Schools for almost ten years and taught German at the University of Kentucky, Georgetown College and Kentucky Educational Television. He has directed a variety of state and federal grants, most recently as program director and consultant for several successful STARTALK programs. Thomas has served as President of the Kentucky World Language Association as well as on the Board of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages and the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Named the 2011 Pearson/NADSFL Supervisor of the Year and a 2010 Global Visionary by the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Thomas is passionate about helping educators making the shift from teaching to learning.