One of the reasons why I love TPRS is because it is engaging, has built in crowd control, teacher support networks and allows students to build a portfolio. After the initial workshop, I had my easiest June ever. Now two courses and almost three years in, I have refined my delivery, differentiation, and assessment, and have buy-in from my admin, colleagues, students, and parents. Imagine going to work everyday where it feels like you're having conversations with your students instead of teaching? I was ready to retire and now I have a renewed energy and vitality for teaching. Once you shift your mindset from the old ways, you are free to really connect with your students.
Anne Laroche
Westsyde Secondary
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I have taught French for close to 15 years. I love teaching French but was looking for some new ideas. The TPRS workshop has opened up my eyes to another way to teach French. It is also a way to integrate Indigenous content (storytelling that is passed down orally). I have also been able to include my ELL students. One speaks Mandarin and the other speaks Turkish. The class has been able to create storytelling slides that incorporates French, Mandarin and Turkish (in three lessons) After these lessons, both students stood up and played twenty questions in front of the whole class in their language, COMFORTABLY. All the rest of the students felt comfortable speaking a few words in all three languages."
Kim Hindle
Aberdeen Elementary
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I took the introductory TPRS workshop in August, and off I went to Clearwater, applying those basic principles in my FSL classroom. Everything I learned makes sense and is similar to an infant learning their mother tongue. The simple "TPRS Recipe" is easy to apply, fun to teach, very interactive for both students and teacher, and super effective in helping improve student fluency.
As a minimum, the intro level workshop is crucial in becoming comfortable and effective in delivering the TPRS program. I would highly recommend this workshop to all second language teachers at both the intermediate and high school level. Bonne chance!
Robert Beaudry
Raft River Elementary, SD73
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TPRS has changed how I approach language learning. I have taught French with different programs in different countries. TPRS focuses on the natural way children learn a language. It is very engaging for both teacher and students. I use it for teaching in French Immersion.
I use TPRS for almost all subject matters now, especially when teaching new vocabulary of a unit in math, socials or science. This program is well worth the time and energy. It is practical and you can use what you've learned in the classroom after just one workshop!
Charlotte Mahoney
South Sahali Elementary, SD73
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As a French Immersion teacher, I found it challenging when I had to teach Core French for a year to students with very little to no prior French knowledge or understanding. I tried the traditional textbook approach, grammar lessons, listening and repeating activities, and much more. However, I always found that when it came down to the students having to demonstrate what they understand and write or speak independently, virtually all of them could not do this.
I came across TPRS while searching for Pro-D opportunities that may help teach Core French more effectively. I had no idea what TPRS was at the time, so I went in as a blank slate with no expectations. I was absolutely amazed at how quickly we were able to understand and communicate in multiple languages foreign to us, and I was so inspired that the very next day I began transitioning my classroom to a TPRS classroom. I found immediate and drastic improvements in engagement levels (especially from more challenging students), as well as proficiency in understanding and communicating in French independently. Students began coming to class already conversing in French amongst themselves, asking each other questions about the story we were working on.
It truly was the best thing that happened to me teaching Core French and I would strongly recommend any language teacher to give it a chance in their classrooms.
Kevin Clyde
TTOC French Immersion, SD73