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Hands-On Activities that Motivate and Engage with Heidi Lechner
#221Have you ever noticed how students light up when language learning feels real, active, and connected to their world? In this episode, I’m joined by Heidi Lechner, an inspiring German teacher and instructional coach in Illinois. Heidi shares how hands-on, student-centered activities keep learners motivated, curious, and communicating authentically. We’ll talk about why teachers benefit from stepping into the learner’s shoes, how collaboration transforms language use, and strategies you can use to make your classroom come alive.Topics in this Episode:activities that spark curiosity and keep students motivated in the German classroomWhy it’s important for educators to experience activities from the student perspective and how can shift shift the way they teachstrategies to move students beyond individual practice into authentic, communicative tasks with their peersexamples of how to help students see themselves in the content and connect the language to real-world contextsKlett World Languages Sessions at ACTFLConnect with Heidi Lechner: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.
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31:09
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31:09
Transform Your Class with Authentic Projects with Diego Ojeda
#220Have you ever felt the pressure to “teach to the test” in your AP language class, only to wonder if it’s actually helping students communicate more confidently? In today’s episode, I speak with Diego Ojeda, a Spanish Teacher in Louisville, KY about how he has transformed his AP course through authentic projects that do more than prepare students for the exam, they prepare them for the real world. Diego shares how to design tasks rooted in authentic input, student voice, and cultural relevance so that learners not only perform well on the AP exam, but also connect deeply with the language.Topics in this Episode:shifting the focus away from drill and test prep while still preparing students for success on the AP examauthentic input and real-world tasks as the foundation for meaningful assessmenthow incorporating student voice into projects changes the way students engage with the AP themesdesigning projects that align with the AP themes while still keeping the activities creative and relevantadvice for practical project ideas that teachers can do right away that help students experience the target language in a more authentic, engaging wayKlett World Languages Sessions at ACTFLConnect with Diego Ojeda:Instagram: @Sr_OjedaA 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.
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27:41
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27:41
Design Activities That Are Fun and Communicative
#219You just wrapped up a fun, high-energy activity. The room was buzzing, students were laughing and moving, but now you’re wondering: Did they actually use the language? In this episode, we’re unpacking what makes an activity not just fun, but truly communicative. You’ll learn how to spot the difference, adapt your favorite games, and keep language use at the center, without losing the fun and joy. Topics in this Episode:Here’s the lens I want to offer you in this episode: Just because students are participating doesn’t mean they’re communicating. With just a few tweaks, your fun activities can become communicative and support proficiency and performance objectives.We don’t have to throw out our favorite games or routines. We don’t need to make everything serious or structured. But, we do need to look at each activity through a new lens: Does it give students a reason to use the language with purpose?Classroom Strategies:Add Purpose and PersonalizationUse the “Does It Build Proficiency?” Checklist: 1. Are students using the target language to express meaning?2.Is there a real-world connection or purpose? 3. Are students interpreting, negotiating, or producing language? 4.Will this support what they’ll do on an upcoming assessment?Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: Design Activities that are Fun and CommunicativeA 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.
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17:29
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17:29
6 Activities for Interaction and Discussion in the Language Classroom
#218This is the first of 3 episodes in a series on CI Strategies. There will be an episode on Story Telling and Narrative techniques, one on Reading and Writing procedures and today’s episode on Interaction and Discussion. In this episode, we look at six comprehensible input strategies that foster real interaction and personalized discussion. From Picture Talk to Calendar, I’ll share detailed examples, differentiation tips, and practical ways to make your classroom a space for meaningful communication, no matter your students’ proficiency level.Topics in this Episode:Students are technically “participating,” but are then truly communicating? This has led me to rethink how I define interaction in a language classroom and to find activities that center personal connection and comprehensible input.Six activities from my “CI Toolbox” that promote interaction and discussion adaptable for many levels, with built-in support for engagement and growthPicture TalkPQA (Personalized Questions and Answers)Special Person InterviewsCard TalkWeekend ChatsCalendar TalkGet the PDF with all of the CI Toolbox Activities: A 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.
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29:08
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29:08
Using Authentic Texts at Every Level
#217Have you ever wanted to use an authentic resource like a menu, a meme, or a social media post, but thought, “My students aren’t ready for this”? Actually, they are. In this episode, I’ll show you how to use authentic texts at every proficiency level, even with absolute novices. I’ll share practical suggestions for selecting and scaffolding activities that support student engagement with authentic resources. Topics in this Episode:If you’ve ever hesitated to use authentic materials because you thought students weren’t “ready,” this episode will help to shift your thinking by giving you the tools to bring real-world input into your classroom now, no matter the level.Authentic resources are not the reward for reaching proficiency—they are the pathway to proficiency.The key is in how we select and scaffold those resources. You don’t have to wait until students understand every word. In fact, they shouldn’t. Because interpretive communications one of the most essential skills we can build.Classroom StrategiesAdjust the Task, Not the Text:you don’t need to change the text. You change what you’re asking students to do with it.Use Visual Context and Chunking:include visuals, labels, and structure—and then break the text into manageable chunks.Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: Use Authentic Documents at Every LevelA 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.
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17:47
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17:47