The MAFLT program has been revolutionary for my teaching beliefs and practices. Previously, I was primarily mimicking the way I had been taught: lots of grammar drills, vocabulary flashcards, and textbook activities with little-to-no authentic materials, intercultural skills, or context outside of the classroom (or speaking practice at all!) But I wasn't happy with that. The MAFLT program taught me how to be communicative, proficiency-focused, realistic, and overall effective as a language and culture educator.
I believe that engagement and motivation comes from a welcoming classroom environment, strong relationships with both the teacher and their classmates, and being able to see a clear path and personal progress towards meaningful, realistic goals. Using a variety of strategies and lessons helps all students find a way to connect to the topic at hand.
In many language classes, grammar and vocabulary are taught in terms of rules, drills, lists, and flashcards. However, in my classroom, the focus is on identifying, comprehending, and producing target grammar or vocabulary in realistic contexts. We also work explicitly on comprehending new grammar or vocabulary through context when it is encountered naturally.
In the past, I taught culture as knowledge about different countries, with a few random differences in vocabulary thrown in when I knew them. Now, I think every day about how each topic we discuss in class reflects and informs many diverse cultural ideas as well as how we as outsiders can both integrate and contribute without ignoring our own culture's ideas, values, and perspectives. Authentic materials and guided reflections help a lot!
ACTFL World-Readiness Standards
Interagency Language Roundtable Scale
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) - Resource Center
ETC.