The MAFLT program has challenged me to really look at the way that I teach and why. There are several different ways to teach languages, but it is important to find practices that are meaningful and beneficial for students. I currently teach Spanish 1, Spanish 2, and Exploratory Spanish at a Junior High School in Michigan. Below are some of the concepts that I have learned and applied from this program:
I believe that building proficiency starts with creating a classroom community. It is important for the teacher to create a safe space and speak in the target language in a way that allows students to listen and understand. This can help encourage students to speak in the target language and participate more in the classroom.
I believe that engaging students starts with building relationships. It is important to get to know your students and bring their interests into the classroom if possible. Students want to know that they have teachers that care about them. I recommend going to a sporting event or a band concert. Students will see that we want them to be successful.
In many language classes vocabulary and grammar are taught separately and in the L1. I like to teach grammar and vocabulary in a more contextualized manner through stories, images, and videos. This is more engaging for students and something that they can apply to the real world in a meaningful way.
In the past, I taught culture as knowledge about different countries. Now I understand that culture is more than just facts about traditions or holidays. It is important to understand your own culture and share that in the classroom. I encourage my students to look at the cultures around them and raise awareness for how cultures can influence our lives in terms of identity and interactions.
ACTFL World-Readiness Standards
Interagency Language Roundtable Scale
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) - Resource Center