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AI Winter Workshop 2025
AI Winter Workshop 2025
The energy was high as we kicked off the workshop!
Teachers were primed for a hands-on experience with AI!
The stage was set for an unforgettable session!
Bethany took the stage, ready to demystify AI for everyone!
Our first and recent AI Workshop since COVID with IEFLA and Bethany Thompson was a hit! Teachers left feeling empowered, with practical strategies for using AI in their classrooms—whether they were just starting out or already experienced. The clear and engaging instruction and approach made complex AI concepts accessible, and attendees appreciated the hands-on learning and collaborative environment. Thanks to all the teachers that attended and the members who helped make a success and such an enriching experience! We're excited to see how everyone applies these new tools. Stay tuned for future workshops!
Save the date: Awards ceremony!
Save the date: Awards ceremony!
IEFLA (Inland Empire Foreign Language Association) is looking for 5 outstanding students in your classes (no more than 5 students per teacher). Do you have students who have been incredible this year and who should be honored at Cal State San Bernardino? IEFLA in partnership with the California State University, San Bernardino, Department of World Languages and Literatures presents:
The 26th Annual Honors Reception for Outstanding World Language Students Wednesday, April 30, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at California State University, San Bernardino.
World Language Teachers who teach in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties are invited to submit the names of students of any course/level whose world language achievement they would like recognized at the honors reception. Be on the lookout for our next newsletter for more info!
Locura de Marzo / Manie Musicale 2025
Locura de Marzo / Manie Musicale 2025
Are you participating in Locura de Marzo, MMM25, or Manie Musicale? This year Spanish Mama from [www.spanishmama.com](http://www.spanishmama.com) shared an interesting article about this exciting music event. For those who may not know, *Locura de Marzo* (or “March Madness” in Spanish) — also called *Manie Musicale* in French — is named after the college basketball tournament that takes place every March in the U.S. March Madness is a huge event across the country, and Spanish and French teachers have been using the energy surrounding it to promote authentic Spanish and French music.
Teachers around the world collaborate to choose 16 songs. Throughout March, students listen to the songs and vote between two at a time. The winning song moves forward, while the losing song is eliminated.
Click below to learn more:
Learn More About Locura de Marzo
Competition for Spanish classes starts on February 22, so get your classes involved today!
Below are this year's song selections for Locura de Marzo and *March Madness Music 2025* in Spanish, as well as this year's *Manie Musicale 2025* selections in French:
**Locura de Marzo 2025** - Starts February 22
1. "Turista" – Bad Bunny *(Bolero)*
2. "Regalo" – Bomba Estéreo & Caloncho *(Pop Latino)*
3. "Una Vida Pasada" – Camilo & Carin León *(Salsa)*
4. "¿Cómo Pasó?" – Ela Taubert *(Pop Latino)*
5. "Forever My Love" – J Balvin & Ed Sheeran *(Pop Latino)*
6. "¿Perdonarte, Para Qué?" – Los Ángeles Azules & Emilia *(Regional Mexicano)*
7. "Por el Resto de Tu Vida" – Cristián Nodal & Tini *(Regional Mexicano)*
8. "Por Fa, No Te Vayas" – Morat & Beret *(Pop/Rock Latino)*
9. "Candela" – Álvaro Soler & Nico Santos *(Pop Latino)*
10. "Algo Sencillito" – Marta Santos *(Flamenco)*
11. "Otro Capítulo" – Becky G *(Cumbia)*
12. "Frágil" – Yahritza y Su Esencia & Grupo Frontera *(Regional Mexicano)*
13. "Kapún" – Carlos Vives & Diego Torres *(Vallenato)*
14. "Igual Que un Ángel" – Kali Uchis & Peso Pluma *(Pop Latino)*
15. "Dónde Nací" – Johann Vera *(Pop Latino)*
16. "Bailando en la Lluvia" – Daddy Yankee *(Reggaetón)*
**March Music Madness 2025** - Starts March 3
1. "Ale Ale" – Marc Anthony (Salsa / Latin Pop)
2. "¿Cómo pasó?" – Ela Taubert (Latin Pop / Ballad)
3. "Khé?" – Rauw Alejandro, Romeo Santos (Reggaeton / Bachata Fusion)
4. "Rosa" – Fabi Hernandez, Mathieu Ruz (Latin Pop / Alternative)
5. "Si antes te hubiera conocido" – Karol G (Reggaeton / Latin Urban)
6. "Himalaya" – Wisin, Pedro Capó (Reggaeton / Latin Urban)
7. "Me lo merezco" – Elena Rose (Latin Pop / R&B Fusion)
8. "Te quiero" – Hombres G, Carin León (Rock en Español / Regional Mexican)
9. "Perdonarte, ¿para qué?" – Los Ángeles Azules (Cumbia Sonidera)
10. "Otro capítulo" – Becky G (Latin Pop / Regional Mexican)
11. "La capi" – Myke Towers (Reggaeton / Latin Trap)
12. "Vamo’ echando" – Nia, Guaynaa (Latin Pop / Reggaeton)
13. "Igual que un ángel" – Kali Uchis, Peso Pluma (Latin Alternative / Regional Mexican Fusion)
14. "Siempre llegas tarde" – Lasso, Sofía Rey (Latin Pop / Ballad)
15. "Quédate bebé" – Grupo Frontera (Regional Mexican / Cumbia Norteña)
16. "Por si no te vuelvo a ver" – Morat (Latin Pop / Folk-Pop)
**Manie Musicale 2025** - Starts March 5
1. « Sois pas timide » – Gims (Pop/Rap)
2. « La Blanche » – Lubiana (Afro-Pop/World Music)
3. « Comment tu vas ? » – Eloïz & Ridsa (Pop/Variety)
4. « Casser la table » – Les Salebarbes (Folk/Cajun)
5. « Fighter » – Tali (Pop/Reggae)
6. « One Love » – Yaniss Odua & FNX (Reggae)
7. « Simandou » – Black M (Rap/Hip-Hop)
8. « Quitte » – Ouidad (Pop/Chanson Française)
9. « Minimum ça » – Dr. Yaro (Rap/Urban Pop)
10. « Tous les chemins mènent à toi » – Floran (Chanson Française)
11. « On se moque » – Lou et PETITOM (Pop)
12. « Seul au monde » – Corneille & Soolking (R&B/Pop/Raï)
13. « Okay » – MC Solaar & Marie-Flore (Rap/Chanson Française)
14. « Anita » – Kimberose (Soul/Jazz/Pop)
15. « Mizik » – WeRe-VaNa & René Geoffroy (Zouk/Kompá)
16. « Mon regard » – Margot Abate (Pop)
Feel free to share the excitement and get your students involved in these fun and culturally enriching competitions!
CLTA / IEFLA Membership
CLTA / IEFLA Membership
Join CLTA and Elevate Your Language Teaching! For just $25 a year, you can become a member of the California Language Teachers Association (CLTA), gaining access to a wealth of resources to enhance your teaching. Membership includes monthly newsletters, webinars, valuable teaching materials, and more. As an added bonus, your CLTA membership also includes membership to IEFLA, connecting you with local language educators and events. Don't miss out—become a member today and take your teaching to the next level! Click the link below and become a member today!
World Language Reading Challenge FAQs
World Language Reading Challenge FAQs
The World Language Reading Challenge (WLRC) is a great initiative for K-12 students to engage with world languages through reading. The California Department of Education provides guidelines, resources, and FAQs on how to get started, promote literacy, and support multilingual learners in participating. This challenge aims to foster language development while celebrating cultural diversity. Check out the full details to learn how to incorporate this exciting program into your classroom! More info here.
Pete Buttigieg, an example polyglot!
Pete Buttigieg, an example polyglot!
Check out this inspiring video of Mayor Pete Buttigieg showcasing his multilingual skills! Watch as he speaks multiple languages, demonstrating the importance of language learning and cultural understanding. It's a great reminder of the power of language in connecting people globally. Watch the video here.
SOU 2025 program
SOU 2025 program
Interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Spanish Teaching or earning graduate credit? Check out the Southern Oregon University Summer Language Institute, where you can complete your program in just three summers in Guanajuato.
Abraham Garcia from Citrus Valley High School in Redlands, CA, completed his master's there and can share his experience. For more information or any questions, feel free to reach out to him at Abraham_Garcia@redlands.ca.us.
MCLASC SPRING WORKSHOP—SAVE THE DATE
MCLASC SPRING WORKSHOP—SAVE THE DATE
Join the interactive workshop **Executive Function and Classroom Design: Strategies to Support Student Success** with Lindsay Astor Grant on **Saturday, April 5, 2025**, at **Loyola Marymount University**. This session focuses on enhancing executive function (EF) skills in students, such as time management, organization, and impulse control, while creating classroom environments that foster EF development. Perfect for educators seeking practical tools to support student success.
**Registration:** $25 for members, $40 for non-members.
CLTA Conference 2025: San Diego, California
CLTA Conference 2025: San Diego, California
Come to San Diego, California to the CLTA Conference 2025.
2025 offers MORE SESSIONS on Saturday & Sunday! Sessions will be 45 minutes each! With more double sessions! SIX (6) on Saturday and THREE (3) on Sunday. Click the link below to see all the details:
Join Us in Supporting Immigrants and Refugees!
Join Us in Supporting Immigrants and Refugees!
The Human Migration Institute (HMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Riverside, CA, is dedicated to fostering inclusive communities and providing vital support to global and local refugee populations. HMI is actively seeking volunteers to help advance its mission.
There is a particular need for English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors. Additionally, retired foreign language teachers are warmly invited to contribute a few hours per week. Volunteers with Spanish language skills would be especially valuable in engaging with the communities HMI serves. HMI is also exploring partnerships with local institutions like Cal State San Bernardino, particularly within the College of Education. Senior students seeking work experience in ESL instruction are encouraged to consider volunteering.
At HMI, we work to empower refugees as they rebuild their lives, addressing the challenges they face with targeted programs such as:
Resettlement Support: Partnering with federal agencies, we assist newcomers by securing housing and providing essential support upon arrival.
Career Development & Training: Our Career Navigators help newcomers achieve their career goals through training, mentorship, and certificate programs, paving the way to self-sufficiency.
ESL Classes with Support: We offer comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, complete with transportation and childcare, to enhance language proficiency and unlock new opportunities.
Riverside County Refugee Forum (RCRF): As proud hosts of the RCRF, we provide a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy to support our refugee community.
We believe that through collaboration, we can create a world where refugees not only find safety but also thrive with dignity and opportunity.
Your support—whether through partnerships, advocacy, volunteering, or financial contributions—can make a significant difference. We’d love the opportunity to explore how we can work together to empower refugees and strengthen our community.
For more information, please visit our website at HMIR.org or follow us on social media @humanmigrationinstitute. Feel free to reach out to us at volunteer@hmir.org or info@hmir.org to discuss opportunities or ask any questions.
Thank you for considering this invitation. We look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to make a lasting impact.
National Spanish Exam
National Spanish Exam
Are you interested in having your students take the National Spanish Exam in the Spring? If so, sign up today by looking up the «National Spanish Exam Practice Exam» and use the provided activities Lingco Language Labs to get extra practice:
https://nationalspanishexam.org/
Coordinators Needed - Travel Abroad!
Coordinators Needed - Travel Abroad!
CIEE is looking for a few teachers that can help coordinate for them across the world! Being a coordinator can be a great side hustle for teachers to earn some extra cash, travel the world, and help to connect their local community with cultures from across the world.
Coordinators typically:
Are curious about other cultures
Enjoy spending time encouraging and working with teenagers
Want to share their community with other cultures
Love to travel!
Coordinators are paid for their help and go on some pretty amazing trips! In the next 12 months CIEE will be going on trips to Costa Rica, Mexico, Iceland, and Italy!
It isn’t much a time commitment, is really rewarding, and I bet you’d love the trips we go on! If you have any interest, please let me know. I’d love to hop on a call and tell you about it and answer questions!
For additional information click on the link below or come to hear Danny Velasquez tell about the program at the CLTA Jamboree, Chino Hills High School on September 30..
Flangoo
Flangoo
Flangoo is a subscription-based service for digital World Language readers available in Spanish, French, and German!! A sister company of Teacher’s Discovery®, Flangoo creates an affordable solution for World Language teachers who want to offer students a wide range of readers. One Flangoo account gives you and up to 150 students access to an entire virtual Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) library. Try it out!
Engaging Activities in the Classroom!
Engaging Activities in the Classroom!
How about some quick, fun activities to do with your students in the target language! Let’s start with...
Who's telling the truth?
Have them fill out a survey telling something strange they did as a child. Choose several of those answers and display them on your board or presentation.
This can be played online. Call on 4 people in the class, including the person who wrote the sentence, to read the sentence as if they wrote it.
You ask each person two questions, and they answer, acting as if they wrote it. Then the students type in the chat who they think is telling the truth, but the students wait to send until you say, "Send".
After they send, you ask each actor if they wrote the sentence to reveal the truth-teller. The actor with the most votes gets extra credit. The students who got it right get extra credit.
This is a great game to play with your upper levels, especially now with the fun Among Us game, students have to try to figure out who the imposter is! Here’s an example:
Example: When I was little, I used to hide in the kitchen cupboards.
Questions: Why did you hide in the cupboards? (asked to all actors)
or How old were you when you hid in the cupboards? (asked to all actors)
Who knows you best?
Choose a volunteer and have them select a question to answer (#1-12).
The teacher asks the question, then all of the other students guess what the interviewee's answer is.
They type it in the chat but don't send it. When the teacher says "send", they send it.
The teacher then asks the interviewee to send their answer. Everyone who gets it right gets a point.
Here are some sample questions. You can adapt them to any level, any unit:
What are you afraid of?
Where do you like to go on vacation?
What is it that makes you angry?
What are you laughing at?
Do you prefer to cycle, ride a horse, or drive?
What do you prefer: doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, cleaning the bathroom, or vacuuming?
At night, do you prefer to play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
Who would you like to be lost with on a desert island?
Approximately how many pairs of shoes do you have?
Which public transport do you prefer (plane, boat, train, bus, metro, etc.)?
What is your favorite zoo animal?
What is your favorite holiday: Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter, July 4th
Scavenger Hunt:
If you're online, ask students to find something that makes people happy/sad/frustrated etc and show it to the camera. Ask students to find something hard/soft/wet/round/square etc and show it to the camera. Great for all levels and another great way to start some fun, personalized discussions!
Express Link to EdJoin JOB Listings
Express Link to EdJoin JOB Listings
Are you looking for a job? Know someone who is looking for employment? There are currently 9 positions open in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties for Spanish teachers. Click the express link below to go directly to all of the current listings by area in EdJoin!
The Polyglot is published 10 times a year. It is a publication of the Inland Empire Foreign Language Association. Editor of the Polyglot is Abraham Garcia, M.A., of Citrus Valley High School at Redlands Unified School District.
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