WAFLT 2019 Recommendations
Here it is, folks, my annual recommendations of session at WAFLT. These are sessions that are focused on Comprehensible-Input/Acquisition-Driven teaching, as well as those by creative and engaging teachers I know. Please let me know if I’ve missed any! Also, don’t take it that a session not listed is not a good choice. There are plenty that will be perfect for you if the topic is something specific you’re concerned with.
Friday, November 1, 2019 8:30am-11:30am (NOTE: these 3-hour workshops cost extra to attend.)
FW-01: “90%+: Maximize Your Impact”– Lynn Sessler Neitzel is a former WAFLT president and Japanese Teacher, now the Director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning at Blackhawk Technical College.
FW-03: “Dissecting the AP Language and Culture Exam”–Lee Belanger-Gonzales is an AP reader and has had good results on the exam. And frankly, I am including this in the list because I’m going to be there.
FW-04: “No textbook? No problem.”–I don’t know these presenters but the session sounds great for those who have been tied to a book and want to ditch it. This session may not focus specifically on input-based instruction, but when developing your own curriculum, looking at the AP themes isn’t a bad way to go, if you need something official.
FW-09: “AVID in the World Language Classroom”–Okay, AVID things are going to be a lot of output. But their strategies are also all about supporting students and scaffolding material for them. So, especially if you’re at an AVID school, this one could be worth attending, especially if you do need more structured ways to get output from kids, or to help them access authentic resources that are somewhat above their level.
FW-11: “CSCTFL Extension Workshop-Infusing Interculturality into Units and Daily Lessons through the use of ACTFL Can-Do Statements”–This session wins for longest title! But Claudine and Deana are both outstanding teachers whom I respect a lot. And if you’re measuring your students, even loosely, by the proficiency levels, this will especially be relevant for you. Looking to find something to prove what you’re doing is justified? Or maybe you’re just one of the many teachers who realized that our classes are nowhere as infused with culture as they can be. (If I weren’t going to the AP one, I would be in this room.)
Friday, November 1, 2019 10:15AM-11:15AM
P-1: “From Language Advocate to Activist”–We need to step it up in our advocacy/activism in our profession. And Karen Fowdy is pretty darn cool, so worth stopping by here if you don’t attend one of the 3-hour ones, or if you duck out of one early.
P-2: “How to Engage Students in Advocacy through Social Media”–Nobody is better at social media than kids, so why not build a nation of advocates? Lauren and Erin I’m sure are going to do a great job.
Friday, November 1, 2019 1:45PM-2:45PM
A-3: “SDR” Pleasure reading for literacy development and language acquisition”–Yep. Reading. FVR/SSR/whatever you call it.
A-4: “Revised Standards for World Languages: Same, Same, Different”–It’s important to know about our new state standards, so Pam Delfosse is definitely worth seeing! This session is repeated on Saturday morning.
A-12: “Community is the Key!”–Kaitlin is going to show great ways to work with student jobs and build relationships with students. This session is going to be great. You have probably read about some of the student job ideas online, so you can see how it works in her room.
A-14: “Using Brackets to Incorporate Authentic Resources: Christmas Commercial Madness and March Music Madness–I’m not sure if they’re going to present Dustin Williamson’s Christmas commercial brackets or Sr. Ashby’s March music bracket, but if you’re looking to see ideas of how to set up a bracket, or make one of theirs work for you, this is a great session for you!
A-15: “Student Interest: Gain it and Maintain it!”–Compelling input, scaffolded authentic resources, high-interest materials? What more do you need!?
Friday, November 1, 2019 3:45PM-4:15PM
B-7: “Assessment in the Proficiency-Based Classroom”–Yeah, who doesn’t need ways to jack up their assessment?
B-10: “Getting the Input in so Students can Get the Output Out”–Jan is fantastic, and her demonstration is in Swedish, so worth seeing!
B-12: “Does that Activity Spark Joy?”–I 100% endorse going all Marie Kondo on your curriculum.
B-13: “What to do with readings…Besides reading”–THIS IS MINE! Some before-during-and after reading activities that might help shake up your routines. (I love presenting this because I need to shake up my own routines!)
Saturday, November 2, 2019 8:00AM-9:00AM
C-4: “Revised Standards for World Languages: Same, Same, Different” (Repeat session)
C-8: “Routines – Part 2!”–I have no idea where part 1 is, but I like routines and feel like they are one way to build your way to 90% TL in lower levels, although this session will focus on upper levels.
C-9: “Coaching from the Heart (How “C” is your “I”?)–Okay, this is mine. It’s an open coaching session like at NTPRS or iFLT, but open to novices or experienced CI/TPRS teachers, as well as those who want to make their lessons more comprehensible. I would REALLY appreciate having a few “plants” in the room willing to take a 5-minute turn as the “teacher”. And especially, especially to have a non-Romance language teacher! (Remember, secretly some of the biggest benefit in coaching pods is actually in being the observer.)
C-11: “Get Students Reading in the TL!”–I work right down the road from these presenters and sadly don’t know them. But it sure sounds like something up my alley…except for the fact that I’m presenting at the same time. But if you need to jack up your reading program, this will no doubt be helpful!
Saturday, November 2, 2019 9:30AM-10:30AM
D-2: “Special Person Interviews: Low Prep, Student-Centered Activity”–Even if you’ve seen Bryce present this his way, these presenters will have their own style and spin on this activity.
D-4: “Evolution: From Traditional to Amazing with Novels”–While I hate calling things “TPRS Class Novels” because these books themselves are not dependent on TPRS as a method. But if you’re looking at moving to a more reading-rich classroom, this sounds like a great session.
D-11: “Why CI? An introduction to Comprehensible Input”–Most of the people reading this list are probably already using input-driven methods, but hearing this teacher’s journey could be a good start or a good reinforcement.
Saturday, November 2, 2019 1:30PM-2:30PM
E-1: “Active Acquisition”–If you haven’t seen Sarah Breckley present, just go. Do it. DO NOT miss this session.
E-2: “TOYs Talk Advocacy”–Okay, if you have to miss Sarah, advocacy is something we all need to do, so go to this one.
E-5: “Bridging the Gap: ACTFL Proficiency Indicators to letter grades”–I mean, if you’re using the ACTFL descriptors, you should hear how that can be translated into report card grades.
Saturday, November 2, 2019 2:45-3:45PM
F-1: “Flex Your Awesome for Fun and Profit”–Join me and Janet Rowe to hear about National Board Certification for World Languages. If nothing else, you can earn $2000/year for the time you have the certification, so it’s worth your time to check out.
F-3: “Creating Embedded Readings from Movie Talk Moments”–Two of my favorite things in one session? Yes, please.
F-9: “Using the Textbook to Develop Proficiency”–Kaitlin has spent a lot of time working with textbooks and figuring out how to make them, frankly, suck less. If you’ve got a textbook you don’t love, check this out.