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Joshua Cabral, French, Spanish and World Language Teaching Ideas
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Tips, Tools and Resources for world language teachers who want their students to rise in proficiency and communicate with confidence.

  1. Advocacy for Languages and Programs

    −11 H

    Advocacy for Languages and Programs

    #236 Curious how language programs thrive even with tight budgets and shifting graduation rules? In this episode, I share insights from conversations at the Klett World Languages booth at ACTFL. We’ll explore why language learning matters, from building communication and literacy skills to preparing students for future careers. I  share practical, actionable strategies teachers can use to advocate for their programs locally, at the state level, and even federally.  Stick around for tips you can put into action this week. Topics in this Episode:  JNCL (Joint National Committee for Languages) and NCLIS (National Council for Languages and International Studies)Language Advocacy DaysWhy Language Learning MattersCommunication skillsCognitive and academic benefitsStudent confidence and engagementNational and workforce relevanceThemes from ACTFL ConversationsChallengesSuccess storiesAttitudes and mindsetsConcrete Advocacy StrategiesLocal advocacyState and Federal-levelSupporting Professional AssociationsOvercoming Common ObstaclesLanguage isn’t core contentSmall enrollment / low demandAdvocacy feels like extra workHere’s what you can do this week:Visit ACTFL’s Advocacy Resource Center and pick one tool to use. Identify a program goal — graduation requirement, Seal of Biliteracy, or enrollment growth — and start building a local coalition.Share your program’s successes with administrators, parents, and policymakers — focus on outcomes and skills, not ideology.Consider joining or renewing membership in professional associations to support advocacy efforts at the state and national level.A Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    23 min
  2. Support Students in Feeling Motivated & Confident with Martha Cox-Stavros

    9 FEB.

    Support Students in Feeling Motivated & Confident with Martha Cox-Stavros

    #235 What actually motivates our students? Today we explore that question through the lens of Self-Determination Theory with teacher Martha Cox-Stavros, a middle school Spanish teacher in Massachusetts. Whether this theory is brand new to you or something you’ve heard mentioned in passing, this conversation breaks it down in clear, classroom-ready ways. We dig into how competence, autonomy, and relatedness show up in real language tasks and how small, sustainable shifts can help students feel successful, motivated, and confident in your classroom.  Topics in this Episode: what Self-Determination Theory is and how it applies to the language classroom. how teachers can design tasks so students consistently feel that sense of progress and success?practical, manageable strategies teachers can use to give students real choice and agency without losing focus on required contentlow-stress, high-impact ways teachers can foster relatedness and connection among students how can teachers can begin to build sustainable practices that lead to competence, autonomy, and relatednessConnect with Martha Cox-Stavros: Instagram:@profecox_stavrosA Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    31 min
  3. What You Can Learn When You Reflect On Your Teaching

    2 FEB.

    What You Can Learn When You Reflect On Your Teaching

    #234 When did you last speak with a colleague about what really worked in your lesson? Or reflected on what helped students communicate, not just what they covered? In this episode we look at how small, intentional habits, such as weekly reflection or purposeful collaboration, can build a shared culture of growth. You’ll walk away with actionable ideas to implement tomorrow, whether you’re working solo or surrounded by a full team. Topics in this Episode: “We don’t rise to the level of our goals. We fall to the level of our systems.” -James Clear, Atomic HabitsGrowth happens when teachers pause to reflect. Not once a year during an evaluation, but in small, consistent moments.Take 10 minutes once a week to reflect on your teaching: 1.) “What helped students communicate today?” 2. )“What would I repeat? What might I tweak?” 3.) “What was challenging? Was it student specific?”Collaboration doesn’t have to mean full-blown PLCs. One conversation, one shared lesson, or one observation can shift practice.We grow the most when the PD we choose is relevant to our classroom realities, not trends.Reflection fuels improvement; Collaboration builds confidence; PD is most powerful when it’s chosen, not just assigned.A Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    30 min
  4. Techniques to Get Students Talking with Christina Margiore

    26 JAN.

    Techniques to Get Students Talking with Christina Margiore

    #233 Do you want your students to feel more confident and eager to share their ideas in the target language? In this episode, we’ll explore strategies that help learners move beyond words and phrases and into real discourse and communication. I’m joined by Christina Margiore, a Spanish teacher in New York, who brings practical routines and low-prep techniques that create a supportive environment and spark authentic conversations. You’ll get simple ways to increase student talk time right away. Topics in this Episode: barriers or obstacles that keep students from speaking in the target language and how to support studentsroutines and strategies that create a safe, low-pressure environment for student talk?technique that support hesitant studentsdesigning tasks that lead to authentic, meaningful interactionsstrategies teachers can do right awayChristina's Free Chat MatsConnect with Christina Margiore: Instagram:@supersenora Blog: www.supersenora.comEmail: christina@supersenora.comA Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    43 min
  5. CI Activities in Practice in the Classroom, Part 2

    19 JAN.

    CI Activities in Practice in the Classroom, Part 2

    #232 Last week in episode 231 I began a two-part series on using a simple story to show what CI looks like in real classroom practice. In this episode, I continue by building on the same story and walking through how CI activities help students stay engaged, deepen comprehension, and interact with the text in meaningful ways. These 2 episodes are focused on seeing familiar CI practices.  Topics in this Episode: CI Activity Episodes218: Interaction and Discussion222: Reading and Writing228: Storytelling and NarrativeEpisode 231: CI Activities in Practice in the Classroom., Part 1CI ToolboxInteraction and Discussion ActivitiesPicture Talk: Picture Talk uses images to drive meaning-based discussion. The teacher asks simple questions so students describe what they see using familiar language.PQA: PQA connects story language to students’ own lives through highly scaffolded, repetitive questions, helping them acquire language through personal relevanceSpecial Person Interviews: Students are interviewed using familiar structures, often taking on a role. The class listens and helps co-construct meaning.Card Talk: Students draw something meaningful to them, and the class discusses it using shared, high-frequency language.Weekend Chat: Weekend Chats build community and routine by talking about what students do on certain days, using simple present-tense language.Calendar Talk: Calendar Talk uses the daily date and routine events to recycle language in a predictable format.Reading and Writing ActivitiesOne Word at a Time: Students slowly build or reconstruct a sentence word by word, focusing on meaning and structure.Embedded Reading: Embedded readings move from very simple to more detailed versions of the same text, increasing comprehension and confidence.Volleyball Reading: Students take turns reading and clarifying meaning, often in pairs, with a strong focus on comprehension.Draw the Sentence: Students draw what a sentence says, then match it back to the text, reinforcing comprehension.Running Dictation: Students move, read, and reconstruct text collaboratively,Dictation with a Twist: Students hear a sentence and rewrite it with a small, controlled change, encouraging creative output within a safe structure.A Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclasSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    32 min
  6. CI Activities in Practice in the Classroom, Part 1

    12 JAN.

    CI Activities in Practice in the Classroom, Part 1

    #231 Over a series of 3 episodes we looked at a range of CI activities, and I promised I’d be back and to show exactly how they work together in practice. This is the first of 2 episodes where I’ll take a simple story and use it to model what CI can look like in an actual classroom. Today’s focus is on setting the scene and preparing students for the story, and next week we’ll continue with what happens once the story is underway. Topics in this Episode: CI Activity Episodes218: Interaction and Discussion222: Reading and Writing228: Storytelling and NarrativeCI ToolboxThe CI Story:  "Problem in the Market": It's Saturday morning. Sofía's family is at a market in Oaxaca, Mexico. There are many colorful fruits, vegetables and flowers. Sofia wants to buy mangoes. Her little brother, Diego, sees some piñatas. Diego says: “I'm going to look at the piñatas!” and walks alone. There are many people in the market. Diego looks at the piñatas and doesn't see his family. He feels nervous and says, “Where is my mom?” A fruit seller sees Diego. She says, “Hello, are you lost?” Diego responds: “Yes… I can't find my mother.” The saleswoman walks with Diego through the market. After a few minutes, they see Diego's family near a tortilla stand. His mother hugs Diego. She says, “Thank you, Miss.” The family buys mangoes and tortillas, and everyone is happy.Storytelling and Narrative ActivitiesStory Listening: Story Listening is teacher-led, highly comprehensible storytelling using gestures, visuals, and repetition to support listening comprehension.Write and Discuss:The teacher and students co-construct a short text on the board, discussing meaning as it’s written.Clip Chat:Clip Chat uses short video clips to provide visual input while the teacher narrates and asks comprehension questions.A Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    25 min
  7. Recharge Your Educator Battery with Will Anderson

    5 JAN.

    Recharge Your Educator Battery with Will Anderson

    #230 It’s the start of new year and a chance to recharge our educator battery. Sometimes a little easier said than done, I know. In this episode, recorded at the NYSAFT Annual Conference in Albany, NY, we are going to look at ways to make sure that your teaching  spark is still alive and well. Will Andersson joins me for this insightful conversation. He is a long time language teacher and language department administrator.  He is now an Associate Dean at Hofstra University’s School of Education. Will shares practical and actionable ways to recharge our educator battery. Topics in this Episode: The State of the Profession: the biggest factors that either drain or recharge educators todaySustainable Teaching: practical, everyday strategies teachers can use to sustain their energy and passion throughout the school yearMentorship and Renewal:  the value of mentoring student teachers and how working with the next generation of educators can help seasoned teachers feel energized in their own practiceConnection and Community: the role of professional communities (colleagues, conferences, online spaces) in recharging our educator batterAdvice for Language Educators: how to stay connected to your “why” and keep your professional battery chargedConnect with Will Anderson: Email: William.C.Anderson@hofstra.eduA Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    33 min
  8. Sponge Activities for Any Level with Jessica Hall

    2025-12-29

    Sponge Activities for Any Level with Jessica Hall

    #229 What do you do when there is a change in your schedule, like shortened class time because of a delayed opening?  What if several students need to miss class because of a school event or responsibility? This is sometimes the reality of our teaching.  We had a plan, but need to figure out in the moment how to best use the time we have. This is where sponge activities are useful. Jessica Hall, a Spanish teacher in Connecticut, joins me to talk about what we can do when we find ourselves in these situations.  Topics in this Episode: what sponge activities are and why are they such an important tool for language teachershow can sponge activities help teachers make sure that every minute in the classroom is purposeful and engagingstrategies to adjust the same sponge activity so it works for beginners as well as more advanced learnershow do you keep sponge activities fun and interactive while still ensuring that they support language growthsimple low-to-prep sponge activities you can try right awayPDF with all the activities that Jessica mentions in the episodeConnect with Jessica Hall from Miss Señorita: Instagram: @MissSenoritaTptA Few Ways We Can Work Together: Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersOn-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community: Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

    32 min
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Tips, Tools and Resources for world language teachers who want their students to rise in proficiency and communicate with confidence.

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  • Skapad av
    Joshua Cabral, French, Spanish and World Language Teaching Ideas
  • Aktiva år
    2021 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    238
  • Åldersgräns
    Vuxet innehåll
  • Copyright
    © 2026 World Language Classroom
  • Programmets webbplats
    World Language Classroom

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