Step into Mondays!

Over our years of teaching, we have noticed that often students have a breakdown in communication because they forgot the vocabulary word they need, or they just have never encountered it. They also often can’t understand content because they don’t understand a word that is key. So today Krista and Sandrine are talking about circumlocution. What is it? What does the research say about it? What activities and tasks can we do with our students to help them overcome the language blank they're sure to encounter in their speech?

The Timeline

• 1:20 catching up and small victories
• 10:00 the theory
• 24:50 classroom application

The sources:

• Developing Fluency in Circumlocution - Daniel Worden (2016)
• On the importance of Circumlocution in the Spanish language Classroom - D. Arteaga, L Llorente (2012)
• Foreign Language Learning Strategy Training on Circumlocution - Yea-Fen Chen (2006)

what makes Gen Z so special and how to adapt it in class?

Each generation is different, and right now we're experiencing Gen Z. They are extremely different from previous generations. Krista and Sandrine break down specific aspects of the generation and what we can do in our classroom to better reach them.

In this episode Krista and Sandrine talk with Florencia Henshaw. What are they? Why are teachers often unprepared and sometimes nervous around them? This episode is the second and last part of the conversation.

In this episode Krista and Sandrine talk with Florencia Henshaw about heritage speakers. What are they, and why are teachers often unprepared with them?

This episode is the first part of the conversation.

Also here is the name of the podcast referred to by Sandrine in the episode: The 10 Minutes Teacher Podcast, episode titled "6 Ways to Help Kids Learn Real-World Skills"

In this episode Krista and Sandrine discuss circumlocution and how to use it to help boost our students' confidence in their language skills. It also helps them better communicate.

In this episode Krista and Sandrine discuss easy activities to build community in your classroom. Also Scarlet had to tweet her opinion in the episode.

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine explore SEL - What it stands for, what it does, and activities that address the core of SEL

If you need to reach out, check out the website for all the information... www.stepintomondays.com

Sources used during this episode:

https://www.doe.mass.edu/worldlanguages/support/qrg-sel.docx

https://www.weareteachers.com/21-simple-ways-to-integrate-social-emotional-learning-throughout-the-day/

https://advancingstudentsforward.org/what-is-social-and-emotional-learning/?gclid=CjwKCAjwgISIBhBfEiwALE19STINA5-Qtpv73h0PDa9i4218sfeNzlInmxMsA7OGf2EpCuAkiut7RRoCT6QQAvD_BwE#more-2193

https://casel.org/what-is-sel/

https://www.positiveaction.net/blog/sel-competencies

https://www.goguardian.com/glossary/social-emotional-learning/

If you haven't listened to the episodes with Bill Van Patten, you want to go find them now and then come back for this episode in which Krista and Sandrine exchange ideas of topics that can be used in the classroom.

If you need more information, check out:

- BVP "While you're on the topic"

- www.ditchthattextbook.com

This is the final part of the conversation with BVP on his findings of basic must know for language teachers. The 3 principles discussed in this episode are - Most learners fall short of native-like representation, The basic data for acquisition are found in communicatively-embedded input, Explicit instruction and practice on the formal elements of language do not obviate or change the basics discussed so far.

This week is the second part of the conversation between Krista, Sandrine AND BILL VAN PATTEN! This section discusses Bill's second finding in language developments" The development of a mental representation for language has three fundamental characteristics: slow, piecemeal and stage-like. Make sure that you have listened to part 1 in episode 69 before listening to this part.

It's summer and we all need to rest and recuperate but we also need to prepare for the fall. Therefore in this episode, Sandrine and Krista chat with Meredith White, Georgia Teacher of the year about technology, and summer preparation.

Do you have to teach new courses from time to time? Are those courses that you've never taught before or in a new format? Krista will be in that situation in the spring so she and Sandrine discussed ideas of what can be incorporated in the course. They frame it around the backward design to then come up with a lot of food for thought for Krista.

Listen and then reach out via all our social medias. Don't remember the handles? Check out the website... www.stepintomondays.com

Have you been thinking about using podcasts in your classroom but are unsure about activities to do with them? Krista and Sandrine discuss various activities alongside the modes of communications, as well as in other settings. And as usual they share their aha moments for the week.

Is translating what you're hearing or reading a bad habit? YES! Unless you are actually working on a translation project. In this episode Krista and Sandrine discuss why we want to stop our students from this habit very early on, and share strategies that they use in their own classrooms to nip the habit in the bud.

In this episode Krista and Sandrine discuss how to go about advocating for your program without having to get engaged politically. Check out their ideas.

And listen at the end for the promo of an event that Sandrine will be part of.

In this episode Krista and Sandrine set their summer goals. Don't forget self care!

During this episode, despite a few disruptions during recording (how appropriate for the topic!) Krista and Sandrine discuss the last year. They reflect on their teaching experiences and what they want to change, as well as what they want to keep. And they share their one takeaway from the year.

Make sure to listen all the way to the end to hear the promo mentioned by Sandrine.

In this episode Krista and Sandrine read each other's mind before discussing benefits of short films in the classroom and suggesting presentational and interpersonal activities for the movies.

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine talk with Paul Sandrock. They discuss assessments, proficiency descriptors, etc. This episode is full of fabulous advice - a packed-full workshop!

mentioned in the episode: How to teach so your students will remember by Marilee Sprenger.

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine build a lesson with activities to use the 5 Cs. The topic of the unit is around the city.

In this episode Krista and Sandrine talk about Sandrine's experience as an AP rater and how it changed her teaching. Tune in even if you don't teach AP language classes.

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine welcome Michelle Olah and discuss grammar in context. What is it? How do you teach it? And you don't want to miss Michelle's story about her travels to Spain with her family. Anchovies anyone?

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine share ways to stay in touch with pedagogy without having to spend a lot of money. They also discuss ways to keep engaging with the target language when traveling abroad is difficult or impossible.

What are you favorite cost efficient ways to stay informed of pedagogy and to keep proficient in your target language? Share with us.

email: stepintomondays@gmail.com

Twitter: @intomondays

Facebook: Step into Mondays

In this episode Krista and Sandrine celebrate reaching episode 50 by answering specific questions from language teachers. They also partake in a bit of trivia regarding the podcast. 

Do you have questions you'd like Krista and Sandrine to answer? Then share them by email (stepintomondays@gmail.com), Twitter (@intomondays) or Facebook (step into mondays).

Special shoutouts to Meredith White, Martina Bex, Victoria Russell

In this episode Krista and Sandrine discuss the importance of having a sense of community in that classroom. Why do we want to build a community? What does "community" mean? How do we create a community? Krista and Sandrine not only discuss activities often suggested to build community in the classroom, but also discuss their favorite activities to create that community.

Share your small victories and your "aha moments" - 

email - stepintomondays@gmail.com

Twitter - @intomondays

Facebook - Step into Mondays

Leave a voicemail - (205) 440-2889

Did you listen to episode 45 where Krista and Sandrine chatted with colleagues from UAB about a course in which the primary texts were songs? If the answer is yes, keep listening. Otherwise, go listen to the first part of the interview and then come back to listen to the second part of the interview.

In this portion the conversation turns to objectives of the class, students projects and a lot of AHA moments.

Songs used in the class

1. "Blackbird" by the Beatles (UK)
2. "Oxford Town" by Bob Dylan (US)
3. “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquín Rodrigo (Spain) the Adage (one of the three movements of the Aranjuez Concert)
4. "99 Luftballons" by Nena (Germany)
5. "Afilando los cuchillos" by Residente, Ile, and Bad Bunny (Puerto Rico)
6. "Nothing to My Name" by Cui Jian (China)
7. "Independence Cha-Cha" from the film Lumumba: The Death of a Prophet (Congo)
8. "Douce France" by Charles Trenet, esp. the version by Carte de Séjour (France)
9. "Ue Wo muite arukou" / "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto (Japan)
10. "Gracias a la vida" by Violeta Parra (Chile)

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine chat with UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) colleagues about a course they put together centering on songs and social justice.

This episode was fairly long so this is part one of the conversation.

Guests include: Julian Arribas, John Moore, Erika Hille Rinker, Charly Verstraet and Yumi Takamita.

Questions? Reactions? Reach the team: stepintomondays@gmail.com, Twitter (@intomondays), Facebook (step into mondays).

Show specific information:

https://www.uab.edu/cas/languages/people/faculty-directory/john-k-moore-jr

songs used in the class...

1. "Blackbird" by the Beatles (UK)
2. "Oxford Town" by Bob Dylan (US)
3. “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquín Rodrigo (Spain) the Adage (one of the three movements of the Aranjuez Concert)
4. "99 Luftballons" by Nena (Germany)
5. "Afilando los cuchillos" by Residente, Ile, and Bad Bunny (Puerto Rico)
6. "Nothing to My Name" by Cui Jian (China)
7. "Independence Cha-Cha" from the film Lumumba: The Death of a Prophet (Congo)
8. "Douce France" by Charles Trenet, esp. the version by Carte de Séjour (France)
9. "Ue Wo muite arukou" / "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto (Japan)
10. "Gracias a la vida" by Violeta Parra (Chile)

In this episode Krista and Sandrine discuss why students should have conversations with native speakers from the beginning of their learning journey, along with how you can encourage your students to do it successfully. 

Sandrine takes a minute to send best wishes for the new year from both her and Krista. Enjoy your time off and be ready for a new episode next week!

Feel free to share your positive moments of 2020, your small victories of what went right.

email- stepintomondays@gmail.com

Twitter - @intomondays

Facebook - step into Mondays

This time of year is always so busy that Krista and Sandrine have decided that everyone should focus on family, celebrations and rest. So take the time and let your brain take a break.

Meet you back on January 4th!

email - stepintomondays@gmail.com

twitter - @intomondays

Facebook - step into mondays

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine follow up on the previous week's episode and their discussion with Victoria Russell about online teaching. The getting started unit they discuss works not only for online students but also for synchronous classes.

Do you have any questions, comments, responses to what happened in the episode? Email = stepintomondays@gmail.com. Twitter = @intomondays, Facebook = IntoMondays.

Whether you are teaching online, remotely or in person, there are some best practices that can help make the whole process easier for both you and your students. Join us in our conversation with Victoria Russell, a guru of online teaching, and check her out at the following links...

https://www.routledge.com/Teaching-Language-Online-A-Guide-for-Designing-Developing-and-Delivering/Russell-Murphy-Judy/p/book/9781138387003  

http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/events/view/105/  

https://varussellblog.wordpress.com/

Did you attend the ACTFL conference? Or did you want to but couldn't for a reason or another? Here are some sessions worth mentioning and what appealed to us in those presentations. We're listing them below for you to check them out or check out those language professionals (and potentially connect with them).

It was a different year for ACTFL but they did a great job giving access to hundreds of sessions. We wish we could talk about all of them but there isn't enough time in a day - and how long would it take us?!

Reach out and let us know what sessions were your favorites: Twitter (@intomondays), Email (stepintomondays@gmail.com), Facebook (Stepintomondays)

Our List of Must-See Presentations (in no particular order)

Book Clubs: Using Books to Engage Students in all 3 Modes of Communication (Erin Pearl, Miranda Giles)

Pole Emploi: Exploring the Professional World in French (Laurence Denie-Higney)

Make your Point with a Single Point Rubric (Timothy Eagan)

Proficiency and Virtual or Hybrid Engagement (Darcy Rogers, Jaclyn Hathaway Rube, Emma Bricker)

Implementing Intercultural Compeency in the Language Classroom (Allie Moeller)

Online or Onsite: Virtually Seamless CI (Carol Gaab)

What the Research is Telling us about Online World Language Education (Kathryn Murphy-Judy, Victoria Russell)

Examine and Conquer Personal and Cultural Biases in your WL Classroom (Janet Boring)

5 Scaffolding Strategies for Building Proficiency with Authentic Media (Ken Stewart)

New Language, Day 1: Experience Comprehensible Input in Arabic (Olivia Grugan, Anita Young)

In this episode Krista and Sandrine talk about activities that they do with their students outside of the classroom, the benefits of such activities and how students react to such activities. 

At the beginning of the episode they reference back to the proficiency unit they do in their classes. If you are curious about what they're talking about, episode 18 is about the reorganization of that unit.

the books referenced in the aha moment segment are...

While we're on the topic by Bill VanPatten

The subtle art of not giving a f*ck by Mark Manson

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine discuss where to find authentic resources and what types of activities to do for them. They also bring up the fact that an authentic resource can be used for multiple levels, making the task of finding input easier.

The film referenced in the show can be found on YouTube at this link...https://youtu.be/6ARR5AOrKts

Please note that this episode was recorded in early September (in case the time reference made don't make sense to you).

Krista and Sandrine finish discussing step to incorporate in our classrooms so that our students will store information in their long term memories - because who enjoys being stared at instead of getting a response on a topic that's already been discussed?

The information comes from the book "how to teach so students will remember" Ed. 2 by Marilee Sprenger. 

If you missed part 1, you might want to go listen to it first.

Quick shout-outs to Nora Jones (An IPA every day) and Linda Markley (FAIL). Also to the Unprofessional Development Podcast.

Please note that this episode was recorded in early September (in case the time reference made don't make sense to you).

Has this ever happened in your class? You ask a question. No one answers. All the students have a blank look on their face. Come on, we talked about this *yesterday/last week/2 weeks ago/fill in timeframe*. Still a blank look. But you know you taught that. 

So why do students do that to us? We teach it, they remember it, take a test and when you bring it back up they have absolutely no idea.

Krista and Sandrine discuss ways to avoid this problem, and they refer to a book that rocked their world (who knew memory worked that way!). See what they pulled out of their reading in a rare 2 parts episode. 

And if you want to read the book, it's called "How to teach so students will remember. 2nd ed." by Marilee Sprenger.

Want to reach out to the girls? email...stepintomondays@gmail.com or Twitter ... @intomondays

Have you ever wanted to hear Sandrine sing? Has it been a while since you've heard Scarlet tweet? Are you feeling as overwhelmed as Krista was this week, or have you been like she puts it "in a mood"? Are you just plain tired or stressed or not your usual self? Then you want to listen to this episode. And even if you don't think you're feeling all or any of the above, you still want to listen - if nothing else to make sure you're not spreading toxic positivity.

And once you've listened, feel free to share how you're feeling, how you're coping with this unusual year. Let us know via email (stepintomondays@gmail.com) or via Twitter (@intomondays).

And here is the article Sandrine keeps referring to...

https://www.weareteachers.com/toxic-positivity-schools/?fbclid=IwAR29k6m6jCV47-Cp-JTvO2ROQlyOjUJp6JlkyOoSg1cqH5sMlTjkzp47qK4#.X34Zo79u2OQ.facebook

and another one...

https://www.weareteachers.com/what-teachers-need-principals-to-know/?utm_content=1602711351&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

In a rare back to back guest episodes, Krista and Sandrine chat with Howie Berman about ACTFL. Do you know everything that ACTFL does for advocacy for the profession? Do you have questions about the virtual conference this year? And let's talk about community within ACTFL. Lastly let's not forget to talk about the publications published by ACTFL. 

This episode has EVERYTHING ACTFL! And not necessarily in the order it is listed.

https://www.actfl.org/

Want to reach out to Krista and Sandrine? Email (stepintomondays@gmail.com) or Twitter (@Intomondays)

In a mini episode, Krista and Sandrine demonstrated what a lot of language classrooms look like in regards to correcting "errors". In this episode, Krista and Sandrine chat with Bill Van Patten about error correction and input.  Listen to hear what he says about the concept of errors and what he thinks of the term. BVP also shares what a lesson might look like in his classroom in a way that bridges the theory to the practice. We can only say that the Diva of SLA is an absolute gem.

Aha moment comes from Class Cast Podcast, episode 39.

If you want to reach out... email (stepintomondays@gmail.com), Twitter (@IntoMondays).

SOLPHE plenary (referenced by BVP during the recording)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJmDXKghMgw&list=PL6R5xodc3sqJ1JSQX19bNW2lVz1gCSBHc&index=2

Situating instructed language acquisition: facts about second language acquisition (By BVP)

https://higherlogicdownload.s3-external-1.amazonaws.com/ACTFL/150b579c-c215-4212-8541-50d7338550e1_file.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAVRDO7IEREB57R7MT&Expires=1602602600&Signature=3RtXxvdggzXd%2BRUtcL%2Fw3As40MQ%3D

Another short and extra episode? This time Krista and Sandrine illustrate what still happens in a lot of language classrooms when students attempt to speak in target language. Why would they do that? Because on the next episode they will talk with Bill VanPatten and what error correction should look like. And they wanted you to experience second-hand the exchange of error correction.

Want to connect with Krista and Sandrine?

email...stepintomondays@gmail.com

Twitter... @intomondays

In this episode, Krista and Sandrine discuss how students view literature as boring and irrelevant and how we can change that with our classrooms. They go over the the traditional approach to literary texts and alternate approaches. As they have both used social media in their classrooms, they also talk about their students' reactions to this different approach.

Worthy of mention are the shout-outs in this episode to Linda Markley and Mme Carbonneau, as well as the podcast Too Dope Teachers.

Also they have a call for questions for their upcoming recording with Bill VanPatten. Questions for Bill can be emailed (stepintomondays@gmail.com), sent via Twitter (@intomondays) or via a message (https://anchor.fm/stepintomondays/message)