Marta Ruiz Yedinak, a Spanish National Board Certified Teacher, uses basic to intermediate level Spanish to tell stories and talk about everyday topics. Second language acquisition takes place through comprehensible input, and when the topics are interesting and compelling to the learner, it happens almost without awareness. Sit back, enjoy, and improve your Spanish listening skills! Join the Facebook group for collaboration!
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Second Language Acquisition Podcasts
Join Ben (he/him), and Bill (he/him) as they Gaslight (reflect), Gatekeep (read research), and Girlboss (share successes) language teaching!
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"Conversations about Language Teaching" is a podcast of unscripted discussions of language teaching, drawing on both research and classroom & online language teaching. If you like thinking deeply about issues of classroom language teaching and how those relate to research and theory, this podcast might be for you. Reed & Diane, the hosts, base our knowledge of language teaching on research we've read & done, theoretical views of language acquisition, our experiences as language teachers and ...
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Where world language teachers gather to transition to proficiency oriented instruction through comprehensible input. All through practical, real-life, teacher-friendly ideas that make teaching language more joyful! Hosted by Devon of La Libre Language Learning.
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Welcome to Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast! Are you a World Language teacher who is looking for ideas, strategies, activities, and inspiration to create a World Language class where you and your students enjoy using the language to learn about the world and each other? Do you want to transform your class into an acquisition-driven instruction space where you intentionally provide a ton of comprehensible input? If you are, you're in the right place. Let's start this journey together. He ...
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Teacher Talking Time is a podcast for language teachers who want more: more clarity, more autonomy, and more lasting impact, both inside and outside the classroom. Hosted by Leo and Andrew, each episode features thoughtful, in-depth conversations with the educators, researchers, and teacherpreneurs shaping the future of language education. Guests have included Scott Thornbury, Bill VanPatten, David Little, Jennifer Jenkins, John Levis, Angelica Galante, Sarah Mercer, Enrica Piccardo, Claudia ...
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This is a podcast for teacher, students, and anyone interested in how to acquire a second language.
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*The* call-in talk show with a touch of comedy for those interested in second language acquisition and language teaching. Hosted by Bill VanPatten.
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This is a podcast for Language Educators and Language Teacher-Entrepreneurs where we discuss all things related to Second Language Acquisition, Teaching, and Research.
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Join us each week as we discuss various topics related to immersion learning, the Refold community and second language acquisition! The topics are chosen by popular vote each week in the Refold Central Discord Server!
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"Why live an ordinary life, when you can live an extraordinary one?" Tony Robbins, the #1 Life and Business Strategist, has helped over 50 million people from 100 countries create real and lasting change in their lives. In this podcast, he shares proven strategies and tactics so you, too, can achieve massive results in your business, relationships, health and finances. In addition to excerpts from his signature events and other exclusive, never-before-released audio content, Tony and his tea ...
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Set in 19th century Russia, The Brothers Karamazov (Russian: Братья Карамазовы) is the last novel written by the illustrious author Fyodor Dostoyevsky who died a few months before the book's publication. The deeply philosophical and passionate novel tells the story of Fyodor Karamazov, an immoral debauch whose sole aim in life is the acquisition of wealth. Twice married, he has three sons whose welfare and upbringing, he cares nothing about. At the beginning of the story, Dimitri Karamazov, ...
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Episodio 176: Las tres habilidades básicas para la adquisición de la lengua: Rutinas de 5 minutos para usar la lengua meta, hacer preguntas y personalizar
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34:14Send us a text En este episodio de Growing With Proficiency, hablo de tres habilidades esenciales para la adquisición de la lengua que sostienen nuestras clases comunicativas: maximizar el uso de la lengua meta, hacer preguntas que apoyen la comprensión y muevan la conservación y ajustar y personalizar el contenido. Pero, ¿cómo podemos cultivar est…
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This episode is a very special one. We’re welcoming the start of 2026 and continuing our Legends of the Spanish-Speaking World series with something a little different. Instead of focusing on just one country, today we’ll travel through several Spanish-speaking cultures to explore the beliefs and traditions connected to the New Year. Are they legen…
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Episode 175: How to Stay in the Target Language 5 Minutes At A Time (3 Easy Routines)
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40:35Send us a text Happy New Year, profe 🎉 If you’re setting classroom goals for 2026—this episode is for you. So many language teachers want the same thing: use more target language, keep students engaged, and support acquisition… but “90% in the TL” can feel overwhelming. In this first episode of a 3-part mini-series, I’m sharing a more realistic app…
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The biggest risk isn't being WRONG, it's being CONFUSED - John Healy
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1:27:16Want to monetize your skills as a teacher? Book a free 1:1 with us to see if we can help. "Make a decision about which direction you wanna head towards. Start walking and don't do anything else for 30 days" - John Healy We chat with John Healy about education businesses, how indecision stagnates us, and what teachers can do to execute as entreprene…
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Send us a text Thank you to our guest, Dan Call, who joined us for this episode! Information about Dan's award as Pacific Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year: https://www.actfl.org/career-development/actfl-awards/teacher-of-the-year-program/hall-of-fame-2026/dan-call Dan's LinkedIn Profile is here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-call-377256179 …
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In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta takes us to Peru to explore a beautiful Andean legend about the origin of Lake Titicaca, one of the highest navigable lakes in the world, located between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes Mountains. Considered a sacred place by Andean peoples, the lake is more than just a body of water—it is a powerful symbol of pun…
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Re-Release Episode 14: 3 Strategies to Reclaim Your Time in the New Year From Lesson Planning to Taking Control of Your Inbox With Lisa Mchargue
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45:16Send us a text Do you spend too much time lesson planning, searching for files, or managing your inbox—and still feel like you’re always behind? In this re-released episode of Growing With Proficiency, I’m joined by Lisa McCart to talk about how systems and organization can help teachers reclaim their time without adding more stress. Teachers spend…
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In Episode 211 of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta travels to southern Chile to share a powerful Mapuche legend: Tren-Tren and Kai-Kai. This traditional story explains the eternal struggle between the sea and the land, told through two magical serpents—one protecting nature’s balance and the other punishing humans for their lack of respect. Through this legend, l…
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In this episode we travel to Ecuador to discover a beautiful and meaningful legend: La leyenda del colibrí. Learn why this tiny, colorful bird is considered a powerful symbol of love, hope, and connection, and how—according to legend—the colibrí became the secret messenger of thoughts and feelings between people. This story reminds us that you don’…
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In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, listeners travel to Argentina as the podcast continues its series of legends from the Spanish-speaking world. Marta tells the beautiful and inspiring legend of the ceibo flower, a powerful national symbol of Argentina. The story takes place before the conquest of the Americas and centers on Anahí, a young Indigenous w…
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Re-Release Episode 126: Voice and Grow: Why End-of-Year Surveys Are a Must for Our Classes
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36:08Send us a text As the school year wraps up, there’s no better time to reflect—not just on what we think worked, but on how students experienced our class. In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I’m sharing how I use end-of-year surveys to gather meaningful feedback that helps me adjust my teaching and better meet my students’ nee…
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Episode 39: Target Language for Young Learners
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37:49Send us a text Show Notes: Diane mentioned studies that have found children process language more slowly than adults. One such study is here: Nip, I. S. B., & Green, J. R. (2013). Increases in Cognitive and Linguistic Processing Primarily Account for Increases in Speaking Rate With Age. Child Development, 84(4), 1324–1337. http://www.jstor.org/stab…
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🎧 Episode 208 – El Aparecido del Nevado del Ruiz In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta takes us to the cold, mysterious heights of Colombia to explore a fascinating legend from the Nevado del Ruiz. Surrounded by snow, fog, and danger, you’ll meet El Aparecido: a protective spirit who guides lost travelers to safety. This simple, engaging story is pe…
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Episode 174 — Three Low-Stress December Activities That Still Give Students Input
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27:56Send us a text In this episode, we talk about December. I’m sharing three low-stress activities that keep students engaged, help them revisit everything they’ve learned, and still give them meaningful input, even when their energy (and ours) is running low. These ideas have worked beautifully in my own classroom. My students stay focused, they coll…
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Episode 173: Why Curiosity is Key for Motivation in Language Class: ACTFL Takeaways + Easy CI Strategies for December
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34:01Send us a text If you are exhausted this December and looking for simple, meaningful ways to keep your students engaged — this episode is your cafecito. I’m sharing what truly stood out at ACTFL this year, and spoiler alert: it wasn’t a new app, a new tech tool, or a shiny new curriculum. It was something much more human: ✨ Curiosity + Safety = Mot…
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Episode 38: ACTFL Teacher Awards as Professional Development
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31:51Send us a text Episode 38: ACTFL Language Teacher Awards as Professional Development Show Notes Guest: Ngan-Ha Ta, PhD Ngan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nganhata ACTFL Convention & World Languages Expo information: https://www.actfl.org/convention-and-expo Our previous episode with Ngan: Episode 9: Teacher Training https://www.bu…
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You'll never feel ready: do you want to build a teaching business or not? - Mariela Mondaca
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45:58Want to monetize your skills as a teacher? Book a free 1:1 with us to see if we can help. "So many people are out there doing great things and they aren't ready, either, so I asked myself: Why not me?" We chat with teacher and entrepreneur Mariela Mondaca. Mariela is an English teacher, teacher trainer, and entrepreneur who has turned her 25 years …
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Gaslight The Class That Just Won’t Talk Planning and Grading Struggle Bus Accountable Reading Explicitly Talking About Why We Do What We Do Gatekeep Book Study Takeaways Synonym Stacking Pronunciation Fun Girlboss Having a Unit Framework Slays! Kicking Butt and Taking Names References Social Accounts: Facebook Bluesky Instagram The Partner Speaking…
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Episodio 171 en español: Cómo mantener clases de español activas sin pasar horas planeando
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28:30Send us a text ¿Te sientes que se te acabo la gasolina? ¿Tienes poco tiempo pero muchas ganas de que tus clases sigan vivas y activas? En este episodio te comparto 3 estrategias reales para que tus clases sean dinámicas, participativas y en español — sin que tengas que quedarte hasta tarde preparando cada día. Hablamos de: 🎯 Preguntas personales y …
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Re-Release Episode 130 — Rediscovering Joy and Authenticity in the Language Classroom: Practical Steps to Engage and Inspire
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54:50Send us a text Have you ever felt disconnected from your passion for teaching — like you’re doing all the things but nothing seems to spark joy anymore? You’re not alone. In this re-released episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, we talk with Spanish teacher Mirna Deakle, who shares her journey of burnout, rediscovery, and finding her au…
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Welcome back to ¡Cuéntame! I’m so glad you’re here. In today’s episode, we’re taking a break from our legends series to explore the real-life story behind one of the most famous animals in the world: Keiko, the orca from Free Willy. It’s a story full of emotion, hope, and big questions about animal welfare. Check out the comprehensible book about t…
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Welcome back to ¡Cuéntame!, friends! I’m so glad you’re here for another episode. Before we jump into today’s mysterious legend, I want to remind you that your support helps this podcast keep growing. If you enjoy these stories, please rate the episode, leave a review, and share it with friends, classmates, or anyone learning Spanish. Here is the f…
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Send us a text Show Notes: Episode 37: "Listen & Do" in language teaching Reed mentioned: Ellis, R., & He, X. (1999). The roles of modified input and output in the incidental acquisition of word meanings. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 285-301. https://www.scribd.com/document/359925425/10-0000-www-cambridge-org-3B026C16F7E59E3458121D43E055…
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Episode 171: Boost Comprehension and Engagement With ClipChat: A Guide for Language Teachers with Amy Marshall
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47:21Send us a text If you’ve ever found yourself searching for an activity that is engaging, meaningful, and actually supports language acquisition, this episode is for you. Many of us want our students to feel confident understanding and using the language — without us spending hours planning something new every day. In this conversation, I’m joined b…
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"Is My Marriage Worth Fighting For?" - Tony & Sage Robbins FULL Relationship Intervention
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16:10In this powerful Tony & Sage Robbins Inner Circle intervention, Laura, a woman at a crossroads in her 18-year relationship, asks how to decide whether to stay or leave her marriage while rediscovering her own purpose. Through heartfelt coaching, Tony and Sage guide her to see love through a new lens, revealing the patterns that quietly erode intima…
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Ep. 29: SLAyyy "Teaching Grammar for Proficiency" Book Study with Stacy Witkowski
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1:06:08SLAyyy: Second Language Acquisition for Everyone Website Gaslight Grammar as a Concept Do ACTFL levels describe language development? Use of the L2 in Grammar Explanations Balancing Authentic/Found Resources and Created Resources Gatekeep - Proficiency-Based Instruction: Teaching Grammar for Proficiency by Ritz and Travers Teaching Grammar? Start w…
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Re-released Episodio 3 En español: Tres cambios que transformaron mi clase de español
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27:49Send us a text En este episodio, comparto uno de mis episodios favoritos en español sobre tres cambios fundamentales que transformaron mi clase y renovaron mi motivación como docente. Estos cambios surgieron a lo largo de 15 años en el aula y responden a una pregunta que muchas profes me hicieron recientemente: ¿Cómo construir una clase donde la co…
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In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta dives into one of Mexico’s most fascinating legends—one filled with history, culture, and a very special kind of dog. Whether you’re a Spanish learner, a teacher, or simply someone who loves a good story, this episode will take you somewhere unexpected. Transcript HERE! If you love learning through stories, don’…
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Can learning apps REALLY support language learning? The research may be surprising - Shawn Loewen
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1:28:49Want to monetize your skills as a teacher? Book a free 1:1 with us to see if we can help. "How do we make research meaningful for the classroom? What really helps students acquire grammar? Can apps ACTUALLY support second language learning?" These are some of the questions we tackled in our conversation with Dr. Shawn Loewen. Shawn Loewen is Profes…
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Episode 170: How Do We Support Neurodivergent Learners in the World Language Classroom? Designing Inclusive Classrooms
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59:58Send us a text A conversation with Wesley Wood What happens when we stop planning for the “average” learner and instead design our classrooms with neurodivergent students and students with disabilities in mind? In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I’m joined by Wesley Wood, Disability Specialist at Georgetown University and for…
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#43 - "I struggle with how to teach vocab consistently" : Listener Q+A on Presenting New Vocab
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38:27Send us a text I answer a listener’s question about teaching vocabulary consistently by reframing every class as a vocabulary class that moves words through a three-stage continuum: introduce, recognize, produce. I share the science of binding, why stories beat lists, and how to keep scope tight so students actually acquire language. • binding as t…
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The AI Race: Why the Future of Power Is at Stake with U.S. Energy Secretary, Chris Wright
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57:42In this episode of The Holy Grail of Investing Podcast, Tony Robbins and Christopher Zook sit down with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright for a powerful conversation about America's path to energy dominance, innovation, and long-term competitiveness. Together, they explore how breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and adv…
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Episode 169: How to Use Songs in the World Language Classroom (and Make Them Comprehensible) with Kara Jacobs
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41:23Send us a text Every world language teacher knows the power of music — but how do we move beyond karaoke Fridays and make songs truly comprehensible and meaningful for our learners? 🎵 In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, host Claudia Elliott sits down with veteran teacher and blogger Kara Jacobs to unpack how she turns authenti…
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Send us a text Intro & outro music selected from "23 Light Years" by CavalloPazzo Support the show Conversations about Language Teaching Diane Neubauer, PhD & Reed Riggs, PhD "Conversations about Language Teaching" is a podcast of unscripted discussions of language teaching, drawing on both research and classroom & online language teaching. If you …
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Artists: Ben Fisher-Rodriguez, Bill Langley Main Points SLAyyy: Second Language Acquisition for Everyone Website Gaslight Parking on New Vocabulary Allowing for Negotiating Meaning Talking Ourselves Out of Using the TL Gatekeep - Adu, Michael & Abunya, Levina & Owusu, Edward & Budu, Gifty. (2025). THE IMPACT OF INTERACTION ON SECOND-LANGUAGE ACQUIS…
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#42 - Why a Simple “Password” Can Transform Your World Language Class
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31:02Send us a text What if a 10-second ritual at your classroom door could boost target-language use, cut awkward silence, and build community—all at once? We walk through the “student password” routine step-by-step, from the first day you model it to the moment it becomes second nature. You’ll hear why this low-stress habit works for novice learners, …
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It's magical to feel PROUD of something you created - Anna Aleksenko
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58:18Want to chat with us about your business? Book a free meeting here. "I have no shame whatsoever in marketing my own courses because I feel proud. I know for sure that it works." We chat with entrepreneur Anna Aleksenko Anna is an entrepreneur based in Georgia who runs Voice it English, a program that helps professionals turn English into their care…
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Episode 10 Re-Release: Games That Get Students Talking with Christina Margiore
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40:00Send us a text There’s never a bad time of the year for a good game. Whether it’s November, May, or that wild week before a break — a well-chosen game can transform your classroom energy and boost your students’ confidence to use Spanish. In this re-release of one of the most-loved episodes of Growing With Proficiency, the Podcast, I sit down with …
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In this first episode of a new ten-part series on Latin American legends, Marta takes listeners to Venezuela to discover a mysterious and chilling tale just in time for Halloween. Using clear and comprehensible Spanish, this episode is perfect for learners who love stories, suspense, and culture. Listeners are invited to support the podcast by rati…
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Re-Release Episode 89: Discover 5 Games to Boost Engagement & Community in Your World Language Class with Profe Valentina and Carolina Gómez
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52:28Send us a text Are you searching for low-prep games perfect for this busy time of year? Look no further! In this episode, join us as we welcome two incredible educators from Colombia, Profe Valentina and Carolina Gómez. They're here to share five engaging, low-prep games that are ideal for any classroom setting. These games are designed to boost en…
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Episode 35: Language Policy in Classrooms
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40:07Send us a text Menken & Garcia, 2010 ch. 16 Johnson, 2013 ACTFL 90%+ TL use position statement Intro & outro music selected from "23 Light Years" by CavalloPazzo Support the show Conversations about Language Teaching Diane Neubauer, PhD & Reed Riggs, PhD "Conversations about Language Teaching" is a podcast of unscripted discussions of language teac…
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#41 - Tools for Teaching Autistic Learners and Managing Absences in ASL Classes: Listener Q+A
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34:55Send us a text We answer Sherry’s two-part question on engaging autistic learners in an ASL classroom and creating a sane, effective plan for frequent absences. We share concrete, low-lift strategies that center detail-focused questioning, visual supports, and input-replacement systems that actually work. • Detail-first prompts and either-or questi…
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Ep. 27: SLAyyy Creating Compelling Content with Señor Wooly
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1:09:37Gaslight What is it that we want to / have to teach? There Is No Faking a Storyteller’s Intention “One Day, You Will Have a Real Conversation” Gatekeep - Jim Wooldridge What does the life of a kid look like? The Novelty Disappears - What is the Driving Reason? Start With Your Problem and Communicative Purpose Girlboss Know Your Context and Know You…
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In this heartwarming episode, Marta shares a story especially close to her heart — one filled with compassion, second chances, and the unexpected ways love finds us. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful connections happen when we least expect them. Look for the pictures at the end of the transcript! If you are interested in taking a S…
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Episode 168: How Can Task-Based Language Teaching Engage Students in Authentic Communication With Purpose? A conversation with Dr. Claudia Fernández
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1:04:34Send us a text Have you ever noticed that some students struggle to see their progress in an acquisition-driven classroom? When your lessons focus on comprehensible input and communication, progress can feel invisible to students used to “right or wrong” answers. That’s why Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) can be such a game-changer. In this epi…
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#40 - 8 Ways to Lower Student Anxiety in World Language Class
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22:35Send us a text Asking students to speak in a new language can feel like asking them to step on stage without a script. We dig into why anxiety hits world language classrooms harder than most, then share nine practical ways to make participation feel safe, predictable, and—dare we say—enjoyable. Drawing on resources from the American Academy of Pedi…
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Kids do NOT learn languages faster than adults. That's a MYTH - Dr. Karen Lichtman
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1:24:35Want to move away from 1:1 and build your teaching business? Book a free 1:1 with us to see if we can help. "There's this myth that kids learn faster than adults. Research shows it's not true; adults are actually better language learners" - Dr. Karen Lichtman. Dr. Karen Lichtman recently moved to Binghamton University after ten years training langu…
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Episode 167: Rethinking Intermediate Classes with Comprehensible Input: A Conversation with Gary DiBianca
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53:46Send us a text Does comprehensible input still matter at the intermediate level? Absolutely. In this conversation with Gary DiBianca, he shares how he “levels up” intermediate classes by centering CI, intentionally modeling structures students can recycle (time frames, connectors, question stems), and layering authentic resources that stretch compr…
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