#224 How long are your classes? Do you see your students 2,3, 4 maybe 5 times a week? We all have different schedules in our schools and learn to adapt to the time that we have. Block schedules, extended class periods that meet fewer times in a given week, are becoming more common in many schools and districts. In this episode, we are talking about teaching in this format. Marilyn Pichardo, a Spanish teacher in New Jersey, joins me to talk about teaching in a block schedule for over 2 d...

#223 Have you ever taught a grammar concept and then watched your students completely forget it during a speaking or writing task? It can be frustrating. In this episode, we’re looking at why that disconnect happens and how to bridge it by teaching grammar in context. I’ll share manageable, beginner-friendly steps you can take to make grammar more meaningful, communicative, and effective without rewriting your whole curriculum. Topics in this Episode: Teaching grammar in context makes s...

#222 Do your reading and writing tasks feel like an afterthought or are they building blocks for language proficiency? In this second episode of the CI Toolbox series we focus on reading and writing activities that engage students through movement, visuals, collaboration, and just the right amount of challenge. I’ll share strategies to help students process and produce language in meaningful, low-stress ways. Topics in this Episode: Reading and writing should feel interactive, connected to in...

#221 Have 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 ca...

#220 Have 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 rele...

#219 You 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 beca...

#218 This 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 me...

#217 Have 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...

#216 Are your assessments really capturing what your students can do with the language? Or are they just measuring memorization and correctness? In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it looks like to assess for performance and proficiency. I’ll share tips for aligning tasks to the modes of communication, using Can Do Statements to drive growth, and giving feedback that supports risk-taking rather than only focusing on what is not completely accurate. Topics in this Episode: Assessment an...

#215 Do your students freeze up during partner conversations? Rely on memorized phrases? Default to English? It’s not just your students, I assure you, and the issue isn’t their ability, it’s the way we structure the speaking task. In this episode, I’ll show you how to get students talking, really communicating, no matter their proficiency level. You’ll learn how to design interpersonal speaking tasks that are spontaneous and supported, with strategies you can right away. Whether your student...

#214 Do your lessons ever feel like a mix of good activities that just don’t quite connect? You’re not alone—and it’s frustrating when all your effort doesn’t lead to real language growth. In this episode, we talk about how planning intentionally from the first input to the final assessment so everything works together to build proficiency. You’ll get practical ideas, a clear framework, and a fresh approach that makes planning easier and more effective. So, let's jump in. Topics in this Episo...

#213 Are you always looking for better ways to support your language learners? That’s probably why you listen to this podcast—because you care about teaching. But time is limited, and sometimes you just need a quick, practical idea you can try tomorrow. That’s exactly why I created the Ready for Tomorrow Quick Win PD series. In this episode, I’ll walk you through these short, focused courses designed specifically for world language teachers—with real classroom strategies that actually stick. ...

#212 Are your goals for this year focused on what you’ll teach or what your students will be able to do with the language? In this episode, we’re talking about goal setting, for you and your students, in a way that’s centered on language proficiency, not just study habits or behavior. I’ll walk you through a practical framework to set meaningful goals that set you up and your students up for a year that’s focused, communicative, and confidence-building. Topics in this Episode: why stude...

#211 Do your students know exactly what they can do in the target language? If you asked them right now, could they tell you their current proficiency level and the specific skills they’re working toward? In my experience, when students understand the proficiency path, they take ownership of their progress in a very meaningful and personal way. In this episode, I share how I help students visualize and track their growth using a Path to Proficiency Wall and how you can do the same in your cla...

#210 This is episode 6 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning next week on August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at some activities that you can use as you begin the school year. In episode 180 I tell you about lots of CI activities that you can use tight away and in episode 2...

#209 This is episode 5 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at a few CI strategies. In episode 170 I speak with John Sifert about calendar talk and in episode 170 I discuss special person interviews with Bryce Hedstrom. Episodes: 170: Ca...

#208 This is episode 4 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at 3 Leveling Up Coaching episodes. Episode 165 about supporting target language, episode 169 about student choice and episode 174 about cohesive lessons and flow in the classro...

#207 This is episode 3 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at episode 163 where I talked about working smarter and not harder with Amy Marshall and episode 183 where I talked with Noemi Rodriguez about supporting students with AI tools. Episo...

#206 This is episode 2 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at 2 more of the high leverage teaching practices. Episode 167 about guiding learners to interpret and discuss authentic texts and episode 171 about focusing on cultural products, pra...

#205 This is episode 1 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at 2 of the high leverage teaching practices. Episode 160 about creating a classroom where students use the target language confidently and 162 about making language comprehensible. Episode...