Growing With Proficiency The Podcast

Claudia Elliott, World Language educator
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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. Head over to IG, and send me a DM @claudiamelliott to let me know what topics you would like me to cover in an upcoming episode.Join my free Facebook community, Growing With C. Also, check out my blog to start discovering some of these ideas and strategies at growingwithproficiency.com

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 188: End-of-Year Engagement: How to Use Reading Stations With Any Text and Keep Students Learning

    Send us Fan Mail At this point in the year, many of us are feeling it. Students are distracted, energy is low, and if we say “read,” suddenly half the class needs the bathroom. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple sequence I use to turn any reading into an engaging station-based lesson that keeps students reading, moving, and participating without creating more work for you. Whether you’re using a Cinco de Mayo article, a Panorama Cultural reading, or your own class text, this structure helps students process one shared reading in a way that feels interactive and manageable. ✨ In this episode, I share: • How to choose the right text (this part matters most!) • Simple pre-reading activities like predictions, images, and quick movement • How I structure the “during reading” phase with audio + small groups • My favorite post-reading stations: matching, sequencing, graphic organizers, and open-ended questions • Why I duplicate stations instead of creating more • How one reading can easily become 3 full class periods 🎁 Resources mentioned: • Free Cinco de Mayo Reading Resource • Full blog post with classroom pictures + step-by-step breakdown • Panorama Culturales for more high-interest readings • Episode 21 if you want more station ideas beyond one shared text

    27 min

  2. APR 23

    Re-Release Episode 94: Card Talk with a Twist: An Activity That Builds Community and Boosts Comprehension

    Send us Fan Mail Are you looking for an interactive and engaging activity to boost your students' participation and build a strong classroom community at the end of the school year? In this episode of "Growing With Proficiency, the podcast," we explore a unique twist on the popular Card Talk activity that my students absolutely loved! In this activity, I’ll share with you how to turn the simple drawings our students do in card talk into a pair-reading activity plus a gallery walk.  Main Highlights: Introduction to Card Talk and its benefits for student engagement and comprehensible input.Detailed activity setup with the prompt: "The Best and the Worst in the School Year."Step-by-step process from drawing, writing, hallway gallery walk, and class discussion.Personal connection and community building through shared experiences.Extending Card Talk: Ideas for adapting Card Talk for different thematic units such as clothing, food, and travel.Resources and Links Mentioned: Free Teacher Guide: "How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach" – growingwithproficiency.com/guideEpisode 82: Previous discussion on Card Talk with Ben FisherFollow Claudia on Instagram: @claudiamelliottConnect on Facebook: Claudia M ElliottJoin our waitlist for Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher AcademyThank you for tuning in to "Growing With Proficiency, the podcast." Until next time, keep growing and keep teaching with passion. ¡Hasta luego!

    15 min

  3. APR 16

    Episode 187: End-of-Year Activities for World Language Classes (Low-Prep Ideas That Work) With Allison Wienhold

    Send us Fan Mail The end of the school year can feel chaotic: testing, low energy, and unpredictable schedules.  So what do you actually do with your students during those final weeks? In this episode of Growing With Proficiency, I sit down with Allison Wienhold (Mis Clases Locas) to share simple, low-prep end-of-year activities for world language classes that keep students engaged without burning you out. We talk about how to balance review, celebration, and connection while staying true to a communicative, comprehension-based approach. Whether you need movement, easy games, or meaningful ways for students to show what they’ve learned, this episode is full of ideas you can use right away. ✨ Biggest Takeaways Why the end of the year is a different season for both students and teachers—and how to plan accordinglyHow to use conversation cards + movement for engaging reviewEasy ways to turn any activity into a gallery walk or walk & talkLow-prep games like:1-2-3 JumpTeam Marker Game (whole-group version)Relay-style Quizlet/Kahoot/BlooketA meaningful self-portrait project to make learning visibleHow to talk about future plans and goals with studentsSimple ways to use movies without creating a full unit 📚 Resources & Links Mentioned Alison Wienhold (Miss Clase Locas): https://misclaseslocas.comActivities with movement (includes question cards, Quizlet Live Relay, 1,2,3 Salta & dancing) https://misclaseslocas.com/10-ways-to-get-you-spanish-class-moving/Culture rich movies to use at the end of the year https://misclaseslocas.com/appropriate-movies-for-spanish-class/Comprehensible Iowa Conference June 12-13, 2026 in Des Moines, IA https://comprehensibleiowa.wordpress.com/End of the Year Activities Blog: https://misclaseslocas.com/lista-lunes-end-of-year-in-spanish-classRunning out of Time EOY Blog: https://misclaseslocas.com/end-of-the-year-spanish-activities/Grab a Spanish Routine Freebie: https://misclaseslocas.com/para-empezar-sample-1-week-freebie/Growing With Proficiency Spanish Teacher Academy: https://growingwithproficiency.com/academyGrowing With CI FB CommunityGWP BlogClaudia's Teacher Pay Teachers StoreIG & Twitter: @claudiamelliott

    38 min

  4. APR 13

    Episodio 186: El modelo 50/50: cómo motivar y facilitar interacciones auténtica en el modo interpersonal con Theresa Jensen y Maria del Carmen Benítez

    Send us Fan Mail Profe ¿te ha pasado esto? Haces una pregunta… y recibes respuestas de una palabra.  O silencio.  O miradas de “no sé qué decir”. Y tú estás ahí pensando: pero si esto debería ser comunicación… ¿por qué no se siente así?  Porque muchas veces no es que tus estudiantes no quieran hablar o que no puedan, es que no tienen una razón real para hacerlo. En esta conversación me siento con dos profes extraordinarias — María del Carmen Benítez desde Monterrey, México, y Teresa Jensen desde Omaha, Nebraska — para descubrir cómo un simple intercambio por Zoom entre sus clases lleva siete años transformando la experiencia de sus estudiantes... y por qué estos no quieren que termine la llamada. En este episodio hablamos de: Qué es el modelo 50/50 y cómo funcionaLa logística: Zoom, Google Sheets y cómo se emparejan los estudiantesCómo se eligen los temas de conversaciónCómo preparar a los estudiantes antes de la llamadaLos desafíos más comunes y cómo superarlosSeguridad y consentimiento informadoCómo empezar desde cero🎧 Escucha el episodio, compártelo con tu comunidad y conéctate con nosotras para seguir creando clases más auténticas y significativas. María del Carmen Benítez es especialista en enseñanza de lenguas con casi 40 años de experiencia. Actualmente lidera el área de Lenguas Extranjeras en Prepa Tec y es examinadora del Bachillerato Internacional. Ha trabajado en formación docente, desarrollo curricular y proyectos internacionales, además de promover la lectura y la escritura creativa a través de Poetazos. Theresa Jensen es profesora de español certificada por National Board con 28 años de experiencia. Ha sido reconocida como finalista de ACTFL Teacher of the Year y Teacher of the Year en Central States. Es autora de novelas en español y promueve el uso de historias como herramienta para crear clases más inclusivas, significativas y centradas en la voz de los estudiantes. Conéctate con nuestras invitadas:  María del Carmen Benítez benitez@tec.mx Teresa Jensen —https://srajensen.com Recursos para ti: Website: https://growingwithproficiency.com GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List Growing With CI FB Community Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Store

    1 hr

  5. APR 9

    Re-Release Episode 27: Shake Up Your Classroom with My Top 5 Language Teaching Strategies and Activities from SCOLT 23

    Send us Fan Mail SCOLT is definitely one of my favorite conferences, and 2023 was a highlight. That is  why I decided to re-release this and because you can get amazing activities you can do tomorrow in your class.  Are you feeling bored and uninspired in your own language classroom? I'm not talking about your students, I'm talking about you. The truth is, we all need new ideas and fresh perspectives to keep us engaged and motivated in our teaching practice. That's why I love attending conferences like SCOLT. In this episode of Growing With Proficiency The Podcast, I'll be sharing 5 of my favorite strategies and activities that I learned at SCOLT 23. All of the 5 strategies and activities have one thing in common: they not only have the potential to engage my students and promote proficiency, but they also excite me to use them. When I'm excited, that energy transfers right back to my students. So, if you're looking for ways to shake things up in your class and get excited, hit play and join me for this exciting episode of Growing With Proficiency. 👉 Resources & Links Growing With CI FB Community GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Store IG & Twitter: @claudiamelliott 5EModel Explain QFT Video Guess the Movie Challenge Brain Break Hexagon Strategy by Bertha Delgadillo

    40 min

  6. APR 2

    Episode 185: Interpersonal Communication That Works: Goals and Scaffolds for Silent Discussion (Part 2 with Chelsea Lawrence)

    Send us Fan Mail Interpersonal communication can feel like one of the hardest modes to teach. You plan the activity, set expectations… and then students give one-word answers, switch to their common language, or disengage altogether. But what if the problem isn’t your activity? In this second part of my conversation with Chelsea Lawrence, we build on our previous conversation in episode 163 and take a deeper look at what actually makes interpersonal communication work—especially through silent discussion. After presenting this strategy at SCOLT and trying it in our own classrooms, we saw firsthand how powerful it can be when students have a clear goal and the right scaffolds in place. In this episode, we unpack what true interpersonal communication requires, how to structure a silent discussion for success, and how to support students so they can stay in the target language and engage meaningfully with each other. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with interpersonal activities, this conversation will give you a new way to think about them—and practical ways to implement them right away. ✨ Key Takeaways Why interpersonal communication often falls flat—and what’s really missingThe two essential elements of true interpersonal communication: an information gap and a clear purposeHow silent discussion lowers the affective filter and increases participationDifferent communicative goals you can use (jigsaw, interview, prediction, and problem-solving)How to scaffold student questions instead of giving them all the languageSimple ways to support responses, reactions, and negotiation of meaningHow to help students stay in the target language without forcing itWhy this strategy works across levels—from novice to AP📚 Resources & Links 🎧 Listen to Part 1 (Episode 163: Silent Discussion with Chelsea Lawrence)📄 Read the full blog post: How to Build Interpersonal Communication with Purpose in the Target LanguageWebsite: https://growingwithproficiency.comGWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting ListGrowing With CI FB CommunityBlogTeacher Pay Teachers Store

    56 min

  7. MAR 26

    Episode 184: How to Decide What to Stop Caring About as a Language Teacher with Meredith White, Bethanie Drew and Maris Hawkins

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like you are doing everything, you’re running out of energy, and somehow, it still doesn’t feel like enough?  In this episode of Growing With Proficiency The Podcast, I sit down with Meredith White, Bethanie Drew, and Maris Hawkins to have a real and honest conversation about something we don’t talk about enough: How do we decide what to stop caring about as teachers? Because the truth is… we cannot do it all. And trying to do it all is what leads to burnout. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to identify what is actually worth your time and energyWhy comparison is one of the biggest drains on teachersHow to stop reinventing the wheel with every lessonThe power of using high-impact templates like sentence starters and roving paragraph framesA simple, repeatable lesson cycle you can use with any reading or videoHow to protect your time, your boundaries, and your joyThis is not about doing less just to do less. This is about doing what matters—with intention. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you take a step back and ask: What do I actually need to keep… and what can I finally let go of? 🎧 Listen now and start making small shifts that will make your teaching more sustainable. 🔗 Resources mentioned: Roving Paragraph Frames & Sentence Starters (Bethanie Drew)Episode with Sally Barnes📬 Stay connected: Website: https://growingwithproficiency.comGWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting ListGrowing With CI FB CommunityBlogTeacher Pay Teachers Store

    31 min

  8. MAR 19

    Re-Release Episode 163: Silent Discussions — A Simple Strategy to Boost Interpersonal Communication in Your Language Classes

    Send us Fan Mail I’m re-releasing this episode today because Silent Discussions have become one of the most powerful activities in my classroom. Recently, during a formal observation, my assistant principal watched my students fully engaged in a Silent Discussion for almost 30 minutes—reading, asking questions, responding to each other, and learning from their classmates. If you’ve been looking for a strategy that truly gets students interacting in the target language, this episode is a great place to start. Have you ever felt like getting your students to really use the target language with each other is the hardest thing? You want them to share ideas, agree or disagree, and ask questions. But when the moment comes, silence takes over—or worse, they switch to English. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and incredible Spanish teacher, Chelsea Lawrence, to talk about a game-changing strategy: Silent Discussions. ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode: • What Silent Discussions are and how to set them up step by step. • Why this strategy works so well to lower stress and build success in interpersonal communication. • Real classroom examples—from connecting the Panama Canal to a local tunnel, to jigsaw activities with biographies and even telescopes. • Practical scaffolds to support your students: graphic organizers, sentence starters, question stems, and even a “How do you say…?” board. • What to do after the Silent Discussion to extend the learning with gallery walks, reflections, or presentational tasks. 👉 If you’re a Spanish teacher looking for resources to create great jigsaw activities plus Silent Discussions, check out the Biographies to Celebrate Hispanic Women or explore the Panoramas Culturales, where you can assign one article to each group. Listen now and discover how one big sheet of paper can transform into a powerful tool for authentic student interaction in your classroom. 📬 Stay connected: GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List Growing With CI FB Community Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Store Website: https://growingwithproficiency.com

    54 min
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About

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. Head over to IG, and send me a DM @claudiamelliott to let me know what topics you would like me to cover in an upcoming episode.Join my free Facebook community, Growing With C. Also, check out my blog to start discovering some of these ideas and strategies at growingwithproficiency.com

Information

  • Creator
    Claudia Elliott, World Language educator
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    220
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Growing With Proficiency The Podcast
  • Show Website
    Growing With Proficiency The Podcast

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