Non-traditional & research-based methods for the World Language classroom by Kasey Kruckenberg https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw en-us 2017-03-17 16:46:10 UTC 2025-04-02 17:14:34 UTC hello@padlet.com Comprehensible input: What is it? Why is it important? kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160854748 Comprehensible input is defined as language that can be understood by a group of listeners despite them not understanding all the words and structures in it. It can often be referred to as i + 1.

Comprehensible input is vital to the classroom because it helps student become autonomous learners. It allows them to recycle previous knowledge, while obtaining new material. It is material that will challenge them and cause them to think critically, without over challenging them. It encourages them to use natural learning strategies and not rely so much on the teacher to give them the answers.

Just like the picture above, I decided to add this picture in because I thought it gave a good visual representation of comprehensible input. It shows where students are comfortable, challenged, and overly challenged. I always think back to this model when I'm creating a lesson or trying to talk to students all in the target language and I ask myself, "is this input + 1 or input +2?" Because input + 2 would mean I'm trying to make them bite off more than they can chew.

Reference:
British Council. (2006, March). Comprehensible Input. Retrieved March 28, 2017, from https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/comprehensible-input

]]> 2017-03-17 17:18:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160854748 Examples of activities that are comprehensible kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160854930 - Authentic materials!!! Using materials that are written in the target language for native speakers of that language are the best resources possible.Another great example of an authentic material is playing Spanish music while students are in the classroom.
- Speak the language!
Just talking in the target language allows students to become familiar with it and muster up the courage to try it on their own.
- Total Physical Response
Having students make movements or gestures to demonstrate vocabulary helps students connect the word to an action.
- Recycle, recycle, recycle!
Just because students have been assessed on particular topic does not mean it gets swept under the rug and forgotten about. Incorporate previous material with new material to build a mountain of knowledge.

I chose to use this book because we used it in our methods class and I honestly think I would be lost right about now in student teaching. Just being able to understand comprehensible input, authentic materials, Integrated Performance Assessments, and all of the things I use daily in my class is a huge help. I strongly encourage any FL teachers to buy this book and use it because I refer to it all the time. This book is great because it gives you the perfect foundation for teaching a second language and then some.

Reference:
Shrum, J., & Glisan, E. (2009). Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction (4th ed.). Boston , MA: Cengage Learning.

]]> 2017-03-17 17:19:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160854930 Leave the textbooks on the shelf! kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160855110 "A teacher can hinder learning by teaching everyone in the same direct style or they can enable learners by creating a learning community" (Reflective Teaching, 2010).

A great strategy that helps both the teacher and the student that is also backed up by research, is reflective teaching. Teachers who regularly reflect on their lessons and assessments. "This process quickly leads to the conclusion that the appropriate language of learning is the target language" (Reflective Teaching, 2010). Throughout this video, FL teachers talk about how students learn best through actions, visuals, hands-on activities, etc, yet they never mention the textbook as a resource. When using the textbook, they are limited to the amount of target language they can use. However, with activities that are more personal and hands-on, they can remain in the target language for most of the time (which is SUPER beneficial to the students). Students are not able to reflect as well on their learning when they are constantly doing book work. This relates to the topic of the importance of speaking in the classroom. Some students can perform interpersonally all day long, but struggle when it comes to physically producing the language.

I chose to use this video because I liked that is used real teachers talking about their classrooms. I always get more out of videos or articles when people talk about their personal experiences because, just like our students, we like when it's personal. We like knowing about other people's lives. I thought this video did a great job at demonstrating when reflective teaching is and how it can be effectively. Before this video, I hadn't really thought about reflective teaching too much and this definitely opened up my eyes to how it can be done and how it can be done correctly.


Reference:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  (2010). Reflective Teaching [Video file]. Retrieved April 20, 2017, from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/linguafolio/5570?style=print

Below is a video if you click on the link. Had trouble downloading it to my computer and being able to re-open it :( ]]> 2017-03-17 17:20:14 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160855110 Spanish? Let's taco bout it kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160855300 Trying to keep students in the target language is tough. They often resort to English or "help" their friends by translating for them. As a way to keep students engaged, this article lists a series of non-traditional, no textbook, verbal activities you can use. These activities are all conversational (what you want!), some are authentic, and most importantly, are fun! With activities like these, students will be having fun and speaking Spanish, without even realizing it.

I thought this article was useful because 1) I have used some activities from this list and saw the positive feedback from my students. 2) It helps those who are less creative find ways to keep the classroom entertaining. FL is suppose to be a fun subject so finding lessons that are enticing and effective are always a win-win.

Reference:
Fisher, C. (2011, February). 

Increase Your Students Usage of Target Language in Class. Retrieved April 1, 2017 from https://calicospanish.com/increase-your-students-usage-of-target-language-in-class/ 

]]> 2017-03-17 17:21:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160855300 Technology in the World Language classroom kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160856916 This article talks about how the FL classrooms are still "resistant" to adapting to the Web 2.0 world. On the contrary, it gives light to the benefits of technology in the classroom and how the Internet has a plethora of resources for students. It mentions how the use of technology and Web 2.0 tools not only increases language acquisition but it also increases student satisfaction. Nowadays, kids are growing up learning technology like no generation has before, so why not put that innate knowledge to use? In the end, the results found an increase in engagement when technology was used compared to face-to-face communicative exercises. 

I chose this article as an artifact because I see technology becoming bigger and bigger each day. I was always told that only face-to-face interaction would create acquisition but it was nice to read this article and see that technology can and does play a role in language acquisition. This is a great tool to still get those students involved and engaged who don't like to interact with other students. 

Reference:
Pop, A. (2010). The impact of the new technologies in foreign language instruction our experience. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 1185-1189.
 doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.169 
]]> 2017-03-17 17:26:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160856916 Stephen Krashen: linguistic God? kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160857254 In the early 80's, linguistic Stephen Krashen created his Input Hypothesis. This was a group of five hypothesizes that were vital to acquiring a second language. Since then, World Language educators at all levels have been referring to this model to help students not just learn a second language, but acquire it.

I added this picture because I thought it was a good visual that displays the difference between learning and acquisition. Some people find it easier to understand once they can see it in a picture and compare the characteristics of each.

Reference:
Schutz, R. (2017, March). Language Acquisition - Language Learning. Retrieved April 14, 2017 from http://www.sk.com.br/sk-laxll.html]]> 2017-03-17 17:28:14 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/160857254 Culture, culture, culture! kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/167401720 This video shows how a German teacher incorporates culture through seasons and holidays. This video perfectly shows how by adding culture to any lesson creates something new and more interesting in the FL classroom.  It also shows how students are learning IN the target language and communicating with other students, all while learning about a new culture. This video, just like the other artifacts, encompasses everything else that I have mentioned in this Padlet. 

I thought this video was a great artifact because it does a great job at showing how the teacher is combining culture, standards, and doing it all in a non-traditional way. 

Reference:
Annenberg Foundation (2016). ]]> 2017-04-21 01:29:22 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/167401720 Light Bulb! Mind Map kruck1km https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/167407168
My mind map shows how I went about finding my articles and videos. I looked at what is language acquisition as a whole and broke it down to comprehensible input. From there, I found ways to incorporate it in the classroom and why it's necessary. Then, I found non-traditional activities and lessons that you can do that are more hands-on and not from the textbook. Lastly, I looked at technology because it is so widely used and such a great resource for any topic or subject you are covering. ]]> 2017-04-21 02:29:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kruck1km/rw2zum37b6fw/wish/167407168