Language Latte: A Podcast for World Language Teachers - Culturally Inclusive Classrooms

Culturally Inclusive Classrooms

07/01/18 • 29 min

Language Latte: A Podcast for World Language Teachers

How- and why- should world language teachers incorporate the diverse cultures that speak the languages we are teaching? Does social justice play a role in language classrooms? A look at the current research on culturally inclusive classrooms, and how teachers can show our students that their experiences, and their voices matter. Dr Hines-Gaither helps us examine how we can reach the students we teach, and how we can diversify the content we use.

Previous Episode

What is Comprehensible Input?

In this episode we are getting an introduction to Comprehensible Input. It’s not just having students “listen” to the target language, it’s providing them with input that is specialized and conducive for language acquisition. What does the research have to say the importance of comprehensible input? What are the benefits of maintaining a comprehensible classroom? How can we transition into using CI if our school has a prescribed curriculum and set of assessments?

Let’s first look at what the research says about second language acquisition and comprehensible input, and then I’ll interview Tina Hargaden, an engaging Spanish and French teacher with an outstanding comprehensible classroom. Tina shares why she is textbook free and uses CI in conjunction with her curriculum, plus her best CI tips for teachers who shy away from being the bubbly, entertainer in front of the class, and how she shares with her students their language growth and progress.

Next Episode

Supporting New Teachers

In this episode we are discussing new teachers: whether they are new to the profession, new to the school, new to the content, or even teachers who are trying out a new method.

What are the key action items new teachers can do to relieve stress, and have a manageable work-life balance? What is the role schools play in supporting new teachers, and the best types of support we can offer our new colleagues? Looking at attrition rates- why is this support important and necessary? Let’s first look at what the research says about supporting new teachers, plus best practices, and then I’ll interview Diego Ojeda- a teacher with 30 years of experience in classrooms from Colombia to the US.