Growing With Proficiency The Podcast

Claudia Elliott, World Language educator
  • 4.8 (83)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 6D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. MAR 12

    Episode 183: Dictation + Communication: How to Make Dictation Purposefully Communicative With Keith Toda

    Send us Fan Mail Dictation is one of those classic activities many of us use in our language classes—but sometimes it can feel repetitive or not very communicative. In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I talk with Latin teacher Keith Toda about how a simple tweak can transform dictation into a purposefully communicative activity. We discuss how dictation supports comprehensible input and how we can add curiosity and interaction to make the activity more meaningful for students. If you’re looking for a low-prep strategy that slows down your pacing, increases focus, and encourages communication in your world language classroom, this conversation will give you ideas you can try right away. Takeaways • Why dictation still supports language acquisition • How to make dictation purposefully communicative • A simple prediction twist that sparks discussion • How to mix dictation with quick personalized questions (PQA) • How dictation can prepare students for reading or video input Resources 📖 Read the blog post: Dictation + Communication: How to Make Dictation Purposefully Communicative 🌍 Keith Toda – Toda-lly Comprehensible Latin https://todallycomprehensiblelatin.blogspot.com 🎙️ Related Episodes Talking Language Acquisition with Dr. Bill VanPatten (Part 2) Talking Language Acquisition with Dr. Bill VanPatten (Part 1) Beyond Exposure: Comprehensible and Meaningful Input with Dr. Florencia Henshaw (Part 1) Making Our Classroom Communication Driven GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List Growing With CI FB Community Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Store

    34 min

  5. MAR 5

    Re-Release Episode 114: Talking about Listening Comprehension in World Language Education with Marta Ruiz Yedinek

    Send us Fan Mail Join host Claudia Elliott in this insightful episode of 'Growing with Proficiency, the podcast,' as she delves into the importance of listening comprehension and skills in world language education with special guest, Marta Yedinek. Discover innovative strategies and the story behind the renowned podcast 'Cuéntame,' designed to aid Spanish learners. Claudia and Marta discuss methods to prepare students before, during, and after listening activities, offering practical advice for language teachers to implement in their classrooms. Learn about Marta’s hands-on experience in adapting her podcast to meet the varying needs of her students and takeaway actionable tips to enhance your teaching approach. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that promises to inspire and support language educators in cultivating proficient and culturally competent learners. 00:00 Introduction to Growing with Proficiency 01:09 Meet Your Host: Claudia Elliott 01:45 Special Guest: Martha Yedinek 01:50 The Importance of Listening Skills 03:11 Creating the Cuéntame Podcast 05:46 Strategies for Effective Listening 08:05 Using Podcasts in the Classroom 11:21 Practical Tips for Teachers 13:16 Engaging Students with Listening Activities 23:16 Reflection and Continuous Improvement 30:09 Final Thoughts and Resources Meet our guest: Marta Ruiz Yedinak is a National Board Certified Spanish teacher, Kohl Fellow, and a WAFLT New Teacher Award recipient. She is a passionate provider of comprehensible input and a firm believer of teaching students, not curriculum. She loves sharing with other teachers by presenting at various language conferences such as ACTFL, WAFLT, CSCTFL, FLAND, MittenCI, iFLT, and CIMW, a conference that she co-directs. Marta works for the Ripon Area School District. She is the author of “La princesa y el guerrero”, published by Wayside, and the producer of ¡Cuéntame!, a podcast for Spanish acquisition. Resources mentioned in the podcast:  Cuéntame Podcast  List of all the episodes of Cuéntame  Facebook community of Cuéntame More resources: GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List Growing With CI FB Community Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Store

    33 min

  6. MAR 2

    Episodio 182: Comprensión auditiva en la clase de español: Estrategias y ciclo práctico para desarrollar el listening

    Send us Fan Mail La comprensión auditiva es una de las habilidades más desafiantes para nuestros estudiantes… y muchas veces también para nosotros como docentes. En este episodio hablamos sobre cómo enseñar listening de manera intencional en la clase de español. Exploramos la diferencia entre el input oral que damos diariamente y un audio grabado, qué tipo de audios son más efectivos, y cómo crear un ciclo de instrucción que permita múltiples oportunidades de comprensión. Te comparto un framework práctico que incluye: Actividades antes de escuchar para activar conocimiento previo y enfocar la atención.Estrategias durante la escucha para aumentar la comprensión.Lectura posterior con echo reading y coral reading para reforzar seguridad.Espacios de reflexión y autoevaluación.La importancia de repetir el ciclo para desarrollar resistencia auditiva.Este episodio no es sobre evaluar si entendieron. Es sobre crear oportunidades estructuradas para que cada estudiante pueda entender mejor cada vez. 🔗 RESOURCES 🎧 Podcast Cuéntame 🎙️ Episodio 180 en español sobre el ciclo de instrucción [Inserta aquí el link] 🎧 Episodio 181 con Sally Barnes 🎙️ Episodio 114 sobre listening en inglés con Marta Ruiz  🛍️ Teachers Pay Teachers: Panorama Cultural con Audio – Marzo 2026

    27 min

  7. FEB 26

    Re-Release Episode 30: Low-Prep Activities and Three Pillars for High-Engagement in the World Language Class

    Send us Fan Mail Are you a language teacher looking for ways to engage your students?  If you’re, you’re not alone.  How to engage students is the most common question among teachers today, and that’s why I’m so excited about today's episode of Growing With Proficiency! Let's face it, even the most compelling and relevant unit won't make much of an impact if students aren't engaged with the content. So we're diving into the topic of student engagement and discussing three low-prep activities that you can incorporate into your classes tomorrow. I will share my insights and experience on how to create a more engaging classroom environment. We'll explore ways to spark student interest, keep them motivated, and create meaningful connections between the language and their lives. This episode has something for everyone. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, settle in, and join me as I explore how to keep your students engaged in language learning. Tune in now to Growing With Proficiency! In this episode, we'll discuss how to engage language learners through three low-prep activities that promote student engagement. Links & Resources Growing With CI FB Community Blog Teacher Pay Teachers Store IG & Twitter: @claudiamelliott

    42 min

  8. FEB 19

    Episode 181: 7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive World Language Classroom with Sally Barnes

    Send us Fan Mail What if every student in your world language classroom was actively engaged, supported, and confident in using the target language? In this practical and inspiring conversation, Sally Barnes shares the powerful framework behind the 7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive World Language Classroom. Rooted in research on comprehensible input, student engagement, and low-stress output, Sally offers clear routines and strategies that work across levels, languages, and curricula—so teachers can build sustainable, proficiency-driven classrooms where everyone is doing everything. 🎯 Why This Matters for Language Teachers: The 7 Steps provide a roadmap for transforming participation, comprehension, and confidence in any world language classroom: Replace “I Don’t Know” with Supportive Language: Teach students how to ask for help, request time, and stay engaged instead of opting out. Use Total Response Signals for Full Participation: Move beyond calling on one student at a time and create low-stress, non-verbal ways for everyone to show understanding. Strengthen Comprehensible Input with Visuals and Vocabulary: Leverage gestures, images, annotations, and word supports to stay in the target language and lower the affective filter. Build Structured Conversations Across Levels: Use sentence stems, scaffolds, and clear expectations so students can speak meaningfully—from Level 1 to AP. Design Reading, Writing, and Listening with Proactive Scaffolds: Plan for diverse proficiency levels in the same classroom and support authentic language production with confidence. This episode will help you increase engagement, sustain target-language use, and create an interactive classroom culture where students feel successful and motivated to communicate. Ready? Click to play! Resources & Links: 🔗 Connect with Sally Barnes on Instagram 👉🏽 @sallybarnesTX  💻 Growing With Proficiency Blog 👉🏽 growingwithproficiency.com  📚 Growing With Proficiency TPT Store Sally Barnes Bio Sally is a former Spanish teacher and current trainer/coach with Seidlitz Education. She began her world language journey in 7th grade when she decided to become a Spanish teacher and never looked back! With 12+ years of experience in the classroom, she was named Texas Teacher of the Year by TFLA in 2018 and an Alumni of the Year by her alma mater, Northern Arizona University in 2023. In 2024, she co-authored a book entitled "7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive World Language Classroom" and strives to support language teachers all over the country with strategies and resources for all languages at any level.

    1 hr
See All (215)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
83 Ratings

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
    215
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Growing With Proficiency The Podcast
  • Show Website
    Growing With Proficiency The Podcast

You Might Also Like