I just finished reading Bill VanPatten’s newest book, While We’re on the Topic: BVP on Language, Acquisition, and Classroom Practice, and I thought I would write a review. The book is available on the ACTFL website. For those who aren’t familiar with him, Bill VanPatten is a very prominent researcher in the field of Second…… Continue reading Book Review: “While We’re on the Topic”
Resources for Teaching about the Solar Eclipse
Next Monday, there will be a total solar eclipse happening in the U.S. I think it’s an interesting topic that my students will be eager to hear about, so I made a PowerPoint presentation to give them a little information. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation if you would like to use it with your…… Continue reading Resources for Teaching about the Solar Eclipse
My Reviews of English Graded Reader Series
We know that reading is essential for language students. First and foremost, reading helps students become better readers. As Frank Smith has said, “We learn to read by reading.” Reading also helps students increase their vocabulary, acquire grammar implicitly, and learn how to write. Plus, it’s enjoyable! Time and time again, research evidence has demonstrated…… Continue reading My Reviews of English Graded Reader Series
Using Children’s Picture Books with Adults
Children’s picture books are great resources in the language classroom. The stories are usually fairly short and simple, and the pictures can help increase students’ comprehension of the story. They’re also a good way to introduce students to books and to the idea of reading for fun and enjoyment. The main drawback, however, is that,…… Continue reading Using Children’s Picture Books with Adults
Using Students’ Photos in Class
With my Level 3 class this summer, I’ve asked them to bring in 2-3 photos of themselves that they want to show the class, and we all look at the photos together and talk about them as a class. I got this idea from Adriana Ramirez, a Spanish teacher, who posted the idea online and…… Continue reading Using Students’ Photos in Class
Reflections from My Students on Story Listening, Whole-Class Novel Reading, and FVR
At one of the two programs where I teach, we just finished a term, and I gave my students a survey to help me know what kind of class activities they liked the most and found the most helpful. I think it’s really important to do these kinds of surveys because it’s a way of…… Continue reading Reflections from My Students on Story Listening, Whole-Class Novel Reading, and FVR
Reading the Book “Felipe Alou”
I know that a lot of teachers are winding things down or are already out of school for the summer, but for me, our summer semester is just getting started! I started teaching a new class this semester, a Level 3 class. I decided to start out the semester by reading the book Felipe Alou,…… Continue reading Reading the Book “Felipe Alou”
