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Have you ever felt like you’re running low on energy in your classroom? Maybe you’ve been wondering how to bring more movement, engagement, and joy into your lessons. In this special episode, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from the Growing With Proficiency Winter Conference! This is Part 1 of a two-part series, and today, we’re diving into Brain Breaks, Map Talk, and Bringing Stories to Life with some of the most inspiring educators in our field.

✅ Brain Breaks with Annabelle Williamson (@lamaestroloca)
✅ Map Talk & Google My Maps with Carolina Gómez (@funforspanishteachers)
✅ Storytelling with Berta Delgadillo (@profedelgadillo)

Each of these strategies can be easily implemented in your class tomorrow—or even today if you’re listening on your way to school! 🚗☕ Let’s bring more movement, curiosity, and deep cultural understanding into our language classrooms!

Key Takeaways:

🌟 Brain Breaks Keep Engagement High

• Set clear expectations and model the activity before starting.
• Try These Brain Breaks:
  • The Number Game.
  • Pass It On.

🗺️ Map Talk & Google My Maps – Exploring the World Through Geography

• Start with students’ own communities before expanding to other locations.
• Tools to use.
• What is geo-literacy and why it’s important
• Google My Maps!

📖 Storytelling

• Go beyond surface-level culture—ask deeper questions and uncover your own blind spots.
• Help students act out key story elements with Reverse Charades.

Resources & Links:

📌 La Maestra Loca Blog
📌 Explore Google My Maps for Your Classroom: 🔗https://funforspanishteachers.com/map-talk-from-our-communities-to-the-world/
📌 Bertha Delgadillo Blog

📌 Learn More About Classroom Culture: Episode 110: Six Strategies to Cultivate Classroom Culture
📌 Get More Ideas for Intercultural Teaching: Episode 134: Intercultural Competence in the Language Classroom
📌 Join the Spanish Teacher Academy: https://growingwithproficiency.com/academy

💬 Let’s Connect!
📸 Instagram: @claudiamelliott
📘 Facebook: Growing With CI Community

If you found this episode helpful, please take a moment to leave a review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Your feedback helps other language teachers discover these ideas.

🎧 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into powerful output strategies and activities!

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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February can be tough. We’re not just physically exhausted—we’re emotionally drained. The weight of our classrooms, our students, and everything happening in our communities can make us lose sight of what truly matters in language teaching.

That’s why I’m bringing back this incredible conversation with Dr. Bill VanPatten. When we’re running on empty, it’s easy to forget the foundation of language acquisition: input. In this episode, Dr. VanPatten reminds us why the essential role of input in language acquisition isn’t just a theory—it’s a fact.

Dr. VanPatten dives into the true nature of language, the limitations of traditional instruction, and how we can refocus on what our students need to acquire language.

💡 If you're feeling tired, overwhelmed, or questioning your approach, this episode is the perfect reset.

Key Takeaways:

✅ The role of input in language acquisition is a fact, not a hypothesis.
✅ Understanding the nature of language is crucial.
✅ Traditional assessments don’t accurately measure language development.
✅ Interaction and communication should be at the heart of every language class.

Join us for this important conversation, and let’s get back to what truly matters. 💛

🎧 Listen now!

Connect with Me:

💬 Join the Growing With CI FB Community 👉 Facebook Group

📝 Read the GWP Blog 👉 www.growingwithproficiency.com/blog

📚 Shop resources on Teachers Pay Teachers 👉 TPT Store

🎓 Join the GWP Spanish Teacher Academy 👉 Academy Waiting List

💻 Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Guide: Click here to download now.

Dr. Bill VanPatten Bio:

Prof. VanPatten is widely known for his work in second language acquisition and second language instruction, with special emphases on input processing, processing and parsing more generally, the interface between input processing and acquisition, morpho-syntactic relationships, and instructed SLA.

He has published eight books, eight edited volumes, six language textbooks (including the movies Sol y viento, Liaisons, and the tele series Destinos), and close to 200 articles and book chapters. In 2018 he left academia to pursue writing full-time.

His debut novel, Seidon's Tale, was the recipient of the 2019 Kops-Fetherling International Books Silver Phoenix Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. His second novel, Looks Are Deceiving, received the bronze medal from the International Readers' Favorite Book Awards for LGBTQ fiction. He is currently working on his sixth novel.

For more information, check out his personal website at http://www.billvanpatten.net

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Laurie Clarcq and Michele Whaley, the pioneers of Embedded Reading, to explore how this powerful strategy can transform language learning and boost student confidence in reading.

Together, we break down the step-by-step process of Embedded Reading and discuss how it helps language learners of all levels engage with texts in a way that is meaningful, accessible, and empowering. Whether you’ve heard of Embedded Reading before or are brand new to it, this episode will give you practical strategies to bring it to life in your classroom.

We dive into proven methods to scaffold reading, build comprehension skills, and ensure all students—regardless of their proficiency level—can experience success and joy in reading.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔹 What Embedded Reading is and why it’s a game-changer
🔹 How to create engaging, layered readings that support all learners
🔹 The difference between ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ Embedded Reading
🔹 Why this strategy builds reading stamina and language acquisition
🔹 How to differentiate for mixed-proficiency classrooms with ease
🔹 20+ classroom activities to make reading more engaging and interactive
🔹 Common challenges & how to overcome them

💡 BONUS: Get your FREE Embedded Reading guide to start experimenting with this strategy today! 👉 www.growingwithproficiency.com/podcastER

Connect with Me:

💬 Join the Growing With CI FB Community 👉 Facebook Group

📝 Read the GWP Blog 👉 www.growingwithproficiency.com/blog

📚 Shop resources on Teachers Pay Teachers 👉 TPT Store

🎓 Join the GWP Spanish Teacher Academy 👉 Academy Waiting List

💻 Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Guide: Click here to download now.

Resources Mentioned:

📥 Free Embedded Reading Guide: www.growingwithproficiency.com/podcastER
📅 Sign up for the Embedded Reading Webinar: tinyurl.com/webinarER
📖 More on reading strategies:

• Episode 84: Dr. Stephen Krashen on Reading & Language Acquisition
• Episode 51: Pre, During & Post-Reading Activities for Maximum Comprehension

Connect with Laurie Clarcq & Michele Whaley:

🌍 Website: www.embeddedreading.com
📷 Instagram: @embeddedreading
📘 Facebook: Embedded Reading Community

Meet with Laurie and Michele at CI Beginnings conference in Oregon this summer

🎧 Loved This Episode? Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

💡 Have questions about Embedded Reading? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Inst

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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En este episodio de Growing With Proficiency, The Podcast, nos acompaña Kodi Rain, docente de español y coautor de Los viernes de películas, para conversar sobre cómo podemos crear un entorno de aprendizaje seguro para nuestro alumnado.

Hablamos sobre estrategias para fomentar la inclusión en nuestras clases, asegurándonos de que el contenido y las interacciones reflejen la diversidad de nuestras clases. También exploramos cómo, en contextos con distintas normativas, podemos seguir promoviendo un ambiente respetuoso y seguro para todas las personas de la clase.

Además, Kodi comparte consejos sobre cómo abordar conversaciones en la comunidad educativa con respeto y empatía, promoviendo una enseñanza que motive a cada estudiante a expresarse y participar activamente en el aprendizaje del español.

🔗 ¡No te pierdas este episodio! Y si encuentras útil esta conversación, compártela con otros docentes.

Recursos:

https://www.holaamigues.com/home

https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/singular-they

Kodi Rain (elle/they) enseña español inclusivo en cuanto al género a estudiantes de grados cuarto a octavbo primaria superior y secundariaen una escuela Montessori. Anteriormente, trabajó como intérprete de español para estudiantes inmigrantes en un sistema público de escuelas secundarias y preparatorias. Coescribió Los viernes de películas, una lectura para aprendices de idiomas en español inclusivo con personajes no binarios, que GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) elogió como "innovadora" y "la primera de su tipo".

GLAAD

Kodi habla y escribe sobre cómo utilizar el español inclusivo en el aula y cómo seleccionar recursos LGBTQ+ para la enseñanza. Disfruta de estar al aire libre, andar en bicicleta, pasar tiempo con amistades y jugar con sus gatos.

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I’m joined by the amazing Cécile Lainé to explore how to build cultural and intercultural competence in language classrooms—especially at the novice level. Together, we discuss practical strategies to move beyond surface-level cultural facts and create meaningful, authentic opportunities for students to connect with the world around them.

We dive into actionable ideas like using special person interviews, calendar talk, and holiday explorations to help students develop empathy and curiosity. Cécile also shares her insights on integrating marginalized voices into the curriculum, starting with the communities in your classroom, and facilitating deeper cultural connections through people-centered learning.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What culture and intercultural competence is
• Why culture isn’t just about facts—it’s about empathy, connection, and understanding perspectives.
• The importance of ACTFL’s 5 C’s: communication, connection, comparison, cultures, and communities.
• Four beginner-friendly strategies to explore culture in your classroom, including:
  • Special person interviews to highlight student backgrounds.
  • Calendar talk to uncover cultural gems and celebrations.
  • Using authentic resources and picture talks to explore people, practices, and perspectives.
  • Facilitating discussions about holidays in meaningful and approachable ways.
• Why starting with self-reflection as a teacher is key to transforming your practice.

Connect with me:

• Growing With CI FB Community
• GWP Blog
• GWP Teacher Pay Teachers Store
• GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List

Resources Mentioned:

1. Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond: Amazon Link
2. ACTFL’s 5 C’s Framework: ACTFL Website
3. Connect with Cécile Lainé:
   • Website: towardproficiency.com
   • Instagram: @towardproficiency
   • Facebook: Toward Proficiency

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a fellow teacher and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t forget to connect with Cécile through the links above for more resources to support cultural exploration and connection in your classroom.

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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In this episode of Growing With Proficiency The Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Maris Hawkins to unpack the 2024 ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. These updated guidelines offer teachers a clearer and more actionable framework to understand and support students’ language development.

From the introduction of the FACT framework to the inclusion of sociocultural awareness and performance descriptor tables, we explore what’s new, why it matters, and how it can transform your classroom.

Takeaways from the Episode:

1. The FACT Framework
   Learn how Functions&Tasks, Context/Content, Text Type, and Accuracy help define proficiency levels and provide teachers with clear criteria to align lessons, assessments, and feedback.
2. Performance Tables
   Discover how these tables bridge the gap between proficiency and performance, offering strategies students can use to communicate at different levels and helping teachers set realistic goals.
3. Communication Strategies and Sociocultural Awareness
   Explore the emphasis on communication strategies and integrating social-cultural awareness can help teachers design their lessons and provide feedback. .
4. Shifting Terminology
   Understand the move from "memorized" to "rehearsed" language and why high-frequency vocabulary is critical for student success.
5. Practical Tips for Teachers
   Find out how to use these updates to design assessments, scaffold activities, and provide meaningful feedback that empowers students.

Resources Mentioned:

• Access the 2024 ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines here.
• Explore Maris Hawkins' blog for more teaching insights: marishawkins.com.
• Growing With CI FB Community
• GWP Blog
• GWP Teacher Pay Teachers Store

Join the Conversation!
Let me know your thoughts and questions about the new guidelines! Find me on Instagram and Facebook @ClaudiamElliott or join my Facebook community, Growing with CI. Nos vemos pronto—ciao ciao! 😊

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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Have you ever felt disengaged or disconnected from your passion for teaching? In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, Claudia Elliott invites outstanding Spanish teacher Mirna Deakle to share her journey of finding her authentic voice in the classroom.

Mirna opens up about how she overcame burnout by centering her curriculum on culturally rich content and indigenous voices. From a unit inspired by Mayan traditions to fostering real-world connections through virtual meetings, Mirna's story is packed with insights and practical strategies for educators.

Whether you're looking to revitalize your teaching or bring more authenticity to your lessons, this episode offers a roadmap to reconnect with your purpose and joy as a teacher.

Join us as we explore:

• The emotional and physical challenges of teaching
• How to define clear goals and stay focused despite obstacles
• Practical methods for integrating authentic cultural content
• The importance of community in fostering professional growth

Key Takeaways:

1. Find Your Authentic Voice: Reflect on your personal experiences and values to shape your teaching style.
2. Set Clear Goals: Establish a guiding purpose for your classroom to stay centered and motivated.
3. Integrate Culturally Rich Content: Use real-world stories that blend cultural traditions with modern issues.
4. Create Real-World Connections: Facilitate opportunities for students to interact with individuals connected to the content.
5. Join a Supportive Community: Engage with like-minded educators to share resources, gain inspiration, and grow.

Resources Mentioned:

• Balún Canán by Rosario Castellanos
• Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy (Join Here)
• Previous podcast episodes:
  • Episode 84: The Power of Reading for Language Acquisition with Dr. Krashen
  • Episode 51: Before, During, and After Reading Strategies

If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to share it with fellow educators and leave a review. We’d love to hear how you’re finding your authentic voice in the classroom!

For more resources, visit growingwithproficiency.com.

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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How can we ensure that students not only talk but also listen to each other in group and pair activities, fostering a vibrant classroom discourse community? In this episode, we talk about a crucial aspect of building a classroom discourse community — not just encouraging students to speak but also to listen attentively to one another during group and pair work.

While our last episode focused on engaging students in talking, here, we spotlight the other side of oral communication: listening. We discuss practical strategies to enhance listening skills among students, ensuring that everyone is heard and that discussions are meaningful and inclusive.

Highlights:

• The Importance of Listening: Understanding why listening is as critical as speaking for a productive classroom discourse community.
• 4 Key Strategies: Unpacking strategies to improve student listening in interactive settings, extending beyond the teacher-student dynamic to include peer-to-peer listening.
• Modeling listening behaviors through body language and expressions.
• Encouraging students to build on each other's answers to foster deeper conversations.
• Practicing asking follow-up questions to keep the discussion flowing.
• Teaching the skill of negotiating meaning to enhance understanding.
• Giving students compelling reasons to listen, such as finding similarities/differences or agreeing/disagreeing to spark interest and engagement.
• Practical Tools and Activities like the dice activity for small groups.
• Reflective Practice: Incorporating reflection through exit tickets that prompt students to consider their peers' contributions, reinforcing the value of listening.
• Assessment Insights: Discussing assessment strategies inspired by Donato's "TALK" model from "The Keys To Planning for Learning" by ACTFL

Listening is the silent half of oral communication, vital for a strong classroom discourse community. You will discover many strategies to promote listening. Click play and happy listening.

Resources Mentioned:

• Ep. 5: How to Make them Listen: 5 Strategies to Get Students Listening
• Ep. 73: Engaging Students and Encouraging Talking in the Target Langauge with Erica Peplinski-Burge and Justin Slocum Bailey
• Ep. 22: Empowering Conversations: 5 Interpersonal Activities to Build Communicatie Skills with Bethanie Drew
• Ep. 10: How to Encourage Students To Speak in the Target Language with Christina Margiore
• "The Keys To Planning for Learning" by ACTFL, specifically Donato's "TALK" model for assessing communication skills.

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide