The Elementary World Language Teacher Summit Workshop Sessions

Engaging Vocabulary Games for Early Elementary World Language Classrooms
by Elizabeth Roberts

Elizabeth Roberts shares five engaging vocabulary games for early elementary world language classrooms: charades, bingo, repeat if correct, where is the paper clip, and what is missing. These games are designed to help young students acquire vocabulary through repetition and interactive play, with options for whole class, partner, or small group formats to enhance engagement. Roberts emphasizes the importance of routine in her teaching approach, detailing specific setup and management techniques for each game to maximize classroom efficiency and student participation.

Introducing Black History in Spanish Elementary School Classrooms
by Jenniffer Whyte

Jenniffer Whyte discusses the power of storytelling to present black historical figures as intelligent and brave, using creative activities such as picture talks, drawing, and a "dream big" mural inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech. Jenniffer shares various strategies, including crafts to explore African culture and simplified storytelling for young children with the book "Hair Love." Highlighting the importance of inclusivity and celebration, she incorporates local black history and cultural artifacts into her teachings, ensuring Black History is taught year-round rather than only in February, promoting a diverse and respectful learning environment.

Beyond Language Exposure: Proficiency in Elementary and Middle School
by Joshua Cabral

Joshua Cabral links language proficiency goals with important child development principles in this informative presentation for elementary and middle school world language teachers. He offers teachers an in-depth approach to interactive teaching methods that promote language proficiency and foster a deeper understanding of global cultures in students. From this presentation, you will gain an understanding of the link between child development principles and language proficiency, along with a clear approach to designing activities for different proficiency levels and an implementable classroom activity.

Special Person from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade and Beyond
by María Hinestroza

Maria provides suggestions for adapting the Special Person Interviews across grade levels by changing the unit theme that provides the context for the interviews. As the students move from focusing on their family in kindergarten, through topics such as birthdays, food and celebrations, they incorporate increasingly complex vocabulary and grammar in their interviews and presentations. She explores personalized teaching strategies across grades, from engaging games in grade 2 to cultural projects in grade 4 and personal storytelling in grade 5.

How Partner Dialogues Boost Language Skills in Real Language Right Away
by Denise Clivaz and Elizabeth Roberts

In this presentation, Elizabeth Roberts and Denise Clivas discuss their Real Language Write Away programs for French, Spanish, and Mandarin. They've developed these programs to improve student communication through engaging partner conversations. They highlight the importance of practice-focused learning, starting with scripted dialogues and moving toward spontaneous use. They provide various tools like vocabulary cards, chants, and written activities to aid learning. The program includes teacher kits and student activity books, with distinct levels for different grades. They emphasize student engagement, motivation through real communication, and practical classroom strategies like role-play and thematic units. They also provide full previews and additional resources online.

All-Access VIP Bundle Bonus Session

The Switch: Switching From Teaching for Learning to Teaching for Acquisition
by Albert Fernández

In this session, Albert Fernández emphasizes comprehensible input over rigid grammar drills, which helps decrease planning and paperwork for teachers. Albert uses the TPRS method to make learning engaging, leading to creative student outputs. While parents may initially be skeptical, they often become supportive after seeing their kids improve. He stresses the importance of a positive learning environment to reduce student anxiety. Practical strategies include adapting textbook activities and setting clear, proficiency-focused goals.

Sustainable Planning as a #deptof1
by Allison Wienhold

Allison Wienhold shares practical tips for sustainable planning, especially for world language teachers managing multiple preps or as a one-person department. Key strategies include reaching out for support, using consistent routines, and utilizing digital tools for streamlined lesson planning. Alison emphasizes that "done is better than perfect," and suggests sharing weekly takeaways on social media or jotting down improvements. She advises teachers to stagger high-energy activities to avoid burnout and to incorporate brain breaks to keep students engaged. Alison also highlights the value of collaborating with colleagues and involving student help for a smoother classroom flow.

Using Educational Robotics and Minecraft Education in the L2 Elementary Classroom
by Dida Papalexiou

Dida Papalexiou highlights the affordability and practicality of virtual educational robotics for resource-limited schools and explains how tools like Lego Mindstorms and Minecraft Education promote creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking through authentic, task-based learning. Papalexiou outlines strategies to shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered environments, encouraging digital literacy and lifelong learning through connectivism and constructivism. Additionally, she provides practical resources, including a teacher’s guide, lesson plan, and video links, to help educators effectively incorporate these technologies into their teaching.

T.A.L.K. Práctica: Talking Time. Accuracy. Listening. Kindness.
by Claudia Langbehn

Claudia Langbehn shares her experience teaching Spanish to 5th and 6th graders. Growing up in Argentina, Chile, and Congo, Claudia emphasizes the importance of a caring and inclusive environment. She discusses her unique blend of two teaching methods: "Real Spanish Right Away" and "T.A.L.K." The first method uses partner conversations to build language skills, while TALK focuses on staying on topic, accuracy, listening, and kindness. Claudia highlights the importance of real-life conversations and a supportive classroom atmosphere for effective learning.

Optimizing Spanish Language Acquisition with Musical Content in Elementary School
by Carmen Reyes

Carmen Reyes explores the integration of musical content to enhance Spanish language acquisition in elementary schools. She demonstrates the use of Total Physical Response (TPR) and Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) techniques with songs to facilitate vocabulary growth, grammar comprehension, and cultural understanding. Reyes emphasizes the importance of routine and transition songs for classroom management, providing examples of how songs can signal actions like cleaning up or being silent, thus fostering a structured learning environment. Additionally, she highlights engaging methods such as incorporating popular songs, interactive games, and movement-based videos to promote personal interaction and confidence in speaking Spanish among students. Educators can expect to learn practical, music-based strategies for making language learning both effective and enjoyable for students.

REPLAY

How Partner Dialogues Boost Language Skills in Real Language Right Away
by Denise Clivaz and Elizabeth Roberts

In this presentation, Elizabeth Roberts and Denise Clivas discuss their Real Language Write Away programs for French, Spanish, and Mandarin. They've developed these programs to improve student communication through engaging partner conversations. They highlight the importance of practice-focused learning, starting with scripted dialogues and moving toward spontaneous use. They provide various tools like vocabulary cards, chants, and written activities to aid learning. The program includes teacher kits and student activity books, with distinct levels for different grades. They emphasize student engagement, motivation through real communication, and practical classroom strategies like role-play and thematic units. They also provide full previews and additional resources online.

All-Access VIP Bundle Bonus Session

Moving Away from Grammar Based Teaching
by Albert Fernández

Albert Fernández shares practical strategies like using the TPRS method to make classes more engaging and effective. Through creative activities such as storytelling, personalized Q&A, and using authentic resources, students build language skills naturally. Fernández suggests integrating high-frequency vocabulary and focusing on communication over rote grammar drills. Key classroom ideas include creating character-driven stories, playing interactive games, and adapting textbook activities to prioritize comprehension and usage.

Maximizing The Input Through Daily Routines In The Elementary Classroom
by Carolina Gómez

Carolina Gómez explores the significance of daily routines in elementary classrooms to maximize language input and facilitate smooth class operations. She introduces practical strategies such as "Person of the Day," "Guess the Temperature," and "Weekend Chat" to engage students in using the target language consistently. Carolina emphasizes the use of visual aids, movement breaks, and visual signals to enhance communication and ensure effective classroom management. Through structured yet adaptive routines, Carolina highlights the importance of providing a safe and predictable environment that supports both cognitive load management and active student participation.

Moving and Grooving! Using Authentic Music
by Noemí Rodríguez

Noemí Rodríguez shares her passion for integrating authentic music into elementary Spanish classrooms. She introduces her Lo Logramos Model, emphasizing the cycle of strategizing, observing, applying, and reflecting. Noemí highlights the benefits of using music for engagement, emotional connections, and brain development. She walks through strategies like using songs for timers, brain breaks, and reading activities, and showcases her favorite song, "Soy Yo" for teaching identity. Tips include pre-teaching vocabulary, using movie talks, and engaging students with activities like dance competitions, word clouds, and March Madness-style music brackets.

The Magic of Drama in the Elementary Classroom (TPRS)
by Carmen Reyes

Carmen Reyes highlights the power of drama in teaching Spanish to elementary students using the TPRS approach. She dives into activities where students act silently using props to create stories, which boosts engagement and vocabulary retention. Key strategies include recognizing cognates, using "Super 7" verbs, and aligning activities with TPR for physical language association. Fun exercises like "Charade of Trees" and "Broken Phone" make learning interactive and effective. Learn techniques to improve students' writing and reading skills while making language classes more dynamic and enjoyable.

Empowering Early Learners Through Engaging Topics and Activities
by Carolina Gómez

Carolina Gómez discusses practical ways to plan and deliver engaging language lessons for K-8 students. She highlights using materials that resonate with students' age and proficiency levels, like identity cards and global warming projects. Key strategies include staying in the target language, using songs and storybooks, and connecting lessons to students' lives and interests. Carolina also shares tips for managing lively classrooms, such as incorporating students' schedules into activities and creating routines with fun, relatable content. Leave with refreshed ideas to make learning interactive and culturally inclusive, leveraging tools like virtual trips and personalized projects.

Creative Ways to Reach Apathetic Students Leading Them to Near-Native Fluency for Elementary, Middle, and High School
by Trisha McMurray

Trisha McMurray explores the challenges faced by language teachers when dealing with apathetic students and offers strategies to engage and motivate them. Drawing upon her own personal experiences and diverse cultural influences, Trisha shares valuable insights on building classroom culture and student confidence. She highlights the importance of understanding individual identities and leveraging student interests to create a supportive learning environment. She delves into specific techniques for different grade levels.

REPLAY

How Partner Dialogues Boost Language Skills in Real Language Right Away
by Denise Clivaz and Elizabeth Roberts

In this presentation, Elizabeth Roberts and Denise Clivas discuss their Real Language Write Away programs for French, Spanish, and Mandarin. They've developed these programs to improve student communication through engaging partner conversations. They highlight the importance of practice-focused learning, starting with scripted dialogues and moving toward spontaneous use. They provide various tools like vocabulary cards, chants, and written activities to aid learning. The program includes teacher kits and student activity books, with distinct levels for different grades. They emphasize student engagement, motivation through real communication, and practical classroom strategies like role-play and thematic units. They also provide full previews and additional resources online.

Story Asking and Creation in the Elementary Classroom
by Rocío Jacoby

Rocio Jacoby shares innovative methods for language acquisition in elementary classrooms, emphasizing the power of storytelling and student engagement. She discusses the use of story creation and sequencing through drawings, Reader Theater for role-playing, and comprehension demonstrated via "read and draw" activities. Rocio outlines interactive decision-making strategies like voting and using the Wheel of Names to involve students actively in story development. The presentation provides practical insights into incorporating gestures, visuals, and movement to enhance understanding and maintain classroom engagement.

Storytelling in the Language Classroom
by Andrea Olatunji

In this session, Andrea Olatunji guides educators on choosing short, age-appropriate, and relatable stories. She suggests using props like puppets, music, and costumes to make storytelling engaging. Andrea also highlights the benefits of storytelling for boosting memory, facilitating conversations, and promoting intercultural understanding. She encourages teachers to let students create and share their own stories, making the language learning process more fun and meaningful.

Tell Your Story: Using Stories in Elementary School Language Class
by Albert Fernández

Albert Fernandez explains his shift from a grammar-focused curriculum to one emphasizing communication and student confidence. Albert highlights the effectiveness of storytelling for engaging students, making language learning authentic, and providing opportunities in presentational, interpretive, and interpersonal activities. He offers practical tips such as using high-frequency verbs, keeping vocabulary simple, and incorporating humor. Albert encourages teachers to start with personal or relatable stories, gradually integrating storytelling into their teaching to make language learning more interactive and enjoyable.

Using Stories to Aid Language Acquisition
by Carolina Gómez and Valentina Correa

Carolina Gómez and Valentina Correa dive into using stories for teaching languages. Valentina shares practical tips like using a song-based brain break called "toma tomate" for muscle control and the importance of high-frequency vocabulary in stories. They discuss including cultural elements to engage students, using various formats of storytelling to reinforce learning, and keeping stories short but compelling. Carolina introduces creative activities, like memory games and interactive storytelling using gestures. Both speakers highlight the use of visuals, games, and songs to keep language lessons dynamic and engaging, ensuring students stay hooked and participate actively.

REPLAY

How Partner Dialogues Boost Language Skills in Real Language Right Away
by Denise Clivaz and Elizabeth Roberts

In this presentation, Elizabeth Roberts and Denise Clivas discuss their Real Language Write Away programs for French, Spanish, and Mandarin. They've developed these programs to improve student communication through engaging partner conversations. They highlight the importance of practice-focused learning, starting with scripted dialogues and moving toward spontaneous use. They provide various tools like vocabulary cards, chants, and written activities to aid learning. The program includes teacher kits and student activity books, with distinct levels for different grades. They emphasize student engagement, motivation through real communication, and practical classroom strategies like role-play and thematic units. They also provide full previews and additional resources online.

Get The Conversation Started: Interpersonal Communication for Young Learners
by Denise Clivaz and Elizabeth Roberts

Denise Clivas and Elizabeth Roberts discuss the importance of keeping instruction in the target language, providing students with practical tools and structured conversations, and incorporating interactive, fun activities to boost engagement and confidence. Key strategies include setting clear expectations, rewarding effort, using visuals and gestures for comprehension, and facilitating consistent practice through partner dialogues and role-playing. The presentation highlights the value of making language learning a joyful and active experience to promote long-term motivation and proficiency.

A Framework For Effective Classroom Management In The Target Language
by Julie Speno

Julie Speno brings her decades of teaching experience to share a solid framework for effective classroom management, especially in target language environments. Key points include maintaining consistent routines and clear expectations, being concise to improve student comprehension, and using visuals to support instruction. Julie outlines a step-by-step process: introduce, demonstrate, practice, and remind. She also highlights the importance of patience and repetition, especially with younger students.

A Day in the Elementary CI Classroom: Routines and Strategies
by Valentina Correa

In this session, Valentina Correa shares her dynamic approach to managing an elementary CI classroom. She highlights using visuals, calling responses, and humor to keep students engaged. Valentina introduces new call responses every two months and utilizes a "magic box" for playful material introductions. She emphasizes the importance of routines, like classroom jobs and structured storytimes, to help students know when tasks start and end. Cultural elements and brain breaks maintain students' attention, and she leverages storytelling, acting, and props to make learning interactive and fun. Practical tips include maintaining consistent routines and incorporating movement.

REPLAY

How Partner Dialogues Boost Language Skills in Real Language Right Away
by Denise Clivaz and Elizabeth Roberts

In this presentation, Elizabeth Roberts and Denise Clivas discuss their Real Language Write Away programs for French, Spanish, and Mandarin. They've developed these programs to improve student communication through engaging partner conversations. They highlight the importance of practice-focused learning, starting with scripted dialogues and moving toward spontaneous use. They provide various tools like vocabulary cards, chants, and written activities to aid learning. The program includes teacher kits and student activity books, with distinct levels for different grades. They emphasize student engagement, motivation through real communication, and practical classroom strategies like role-play and thematic units. They also provide full previews and additional resources online.