World Language Classroom

Joshua Cabral, French, Spanish and World Language Teaching Ideas
  • 4.9 (107)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. Techniques to Get Students Talking with Christina Margiore

    18H AGO

    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
  2. CI Activities in Practice in the Classroom, Part 2

    JAN 19

    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
  3. CI Activities in Practice in the Classroom, Part 1

    JAN 12

    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
  4. Recharge Your Educator Battery with Will Anderson

    JAN 5

    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
  5. Sponge Activities for Any Level with Jessica Hall

    12/29/2025

    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
  6. 3 Engaging Narrative and Storytelling Activities

    12/22/2025

    3 Engaging Narrative and Storytelling Activities

    #228 Do you use stories in your classroom? Do you have some engaging ways for students to, well, engage with those stories? In this third episode of the CI Toolbox series, we look at storytelling and narrative-based activities that hook students through emotion, curiosity, and creativity. You’ll learn how to deliver compelling stories, co-write summaries with students, and use video clips as interactive narratives, all while keeping input comprehensible and student-centered. Topics in this Episode: Stories provide context, emotion, and predictability. The foundation for language acquisition. They build engagement and allow us to recycle high-frequency structures meaningfully.Story Listening: Deliver rich input by telling stories live, with built-in visual and physical support.Write and Discuss: Reinforce and recycle the story language through co-created written text.Clip Chat: Turn short video clips into interactive storytelling experiences.Ep 218: 6 Activities for Interaction and Discussion in the Language ClassroomEp 222: 6 Reading and Writing Activities in the CI ClassroomCI ToolboxA 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.

    35 min
  7. Engaging Reading Activities That Build Proficiency

    12/15/2025

    Engaging Reading Activities That Build Proficiency

    #227 Have you noticed how a well-chosen reading can spark curiosity in your students? Reading can be one of the most engaging, communicative parts of your language class. With the right support, reading is incredibly empowering for students. In this episode, we’ll explore how pre-, during-, and post-reading activities can give your students the confidence and tools to dive into texts with purpose and curiosity. You’ll walk away with a practical framework you can use tomorrow, or even today. Topics in this Episode: Reading is more than a comprehension check—it’s a gateway to vocabulary growth, cultural exploration, and communicative opportunities.5 Key Benefits of Reading in the World Language ClassroomReading Provides the Input That Drives AcquisitionReading Builds Vocabulary and Grammar NaturallyReading Strengthens Interpretive Skills That Transfer to All ModesReading Lowers Anxiety and Builds ConfidenceReading Opens the Door to Culture and Authentic CommunicationReading FrameworkPre-Reading: Set the Stage for SuccessDuring Reading: Focus Their AttentionPost-Reading: Extend the LearningReady For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: Engaging Reading Activities That Build ProficiencyA 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.

    22 min
  8. Teach Students the Skill of Listening

    12/08/2025

    Teach Students the Skill of Listening

    #226 Have you ever played an audio or clip for your class, only to see blank stares and puzzled expressions? It’s not that your students aren’t listening—it’s that they need tools to know how to listen. In this episode, we’ll explore three essential strategies: prediction, summarizing, and focus tasks. These make listening more intentional, more engaging, and more effective. Whether your learners are novices or advanced, these techniques will help them process language with purpose and confidence. Topics in this Episode: Listening isn’t passive, it’s active.When students predict what they might hear, listen with a specific purpose, and summarize afterward, they aren’t just hearing language they’re processing it in real time. This builds comprehension, retention, and confidence, no matter the proficiency level. We are supporting the skill in ways that won’t happen in real situations, but students are learning the skill of listening in our classrooms (with our support) that they will transfer to realistic situations where they will draw on these skills and have the confidence.Classroom Strategies:Prediction Before ListeningFocus Tasks During ListeningSummarizing After ListeningReady For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: Build Strong Listening SkillsA 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.

    19 min
See All (235)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
107 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Joshua Cabral, French, Spanish and World Language Teaching Ideas
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    235
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 World Language Classroom
  • Show Website
    World Language Classroom

You Might Also Like