Presentations

HomeFUN: Engaging students in language learning outside the classroom

HomeWORK sounds boring, but HomeFUN invites students to engage!  As world language educators, we have very limited time to immerse our students in language.  The time we're given is not nearly enough to acquire proficiency, so learning at home is critical.  Participants will learn how to use interactive notebooks, a class website, language tables, language showcases, and community involvement to engage students in learning on their own. Presented at Rhode Island Foreign Language Association (2017), ACTFL (2017), and the Northeast Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages- as Rhode Island's "Best of" (2018).  See the presentation slides here.

Show off your program!  Putting world language classes in the spotlight they deserve

I once worked hard to create a new elementary Spanish program at a school only to have the program cut two years later to create a football program.  The lesson I learned from this experience is the importance of visibility.  In this session, I'll show you how to get your world language program noticed by giving examples of ways you can integrate your program with other highly visible programs at your school.  Establishing support from administrators and other important stakeholders is critical to the success of your program.  Presented at Rhode Island Foreign Language Association (2018).  See the presentation slides here.

Collaboration: The key to shining a spotlight on your program

Sadly, not everyone sees the value in specialist programs such as art, music, and world language.  Often these programs will be cut if they aren't highly visible and seamlessly woven into all aspects of the curriculum.  Participants will hear about successful collaborative projects that helped bring heightened visibility to the arts and world language.  Presented at Rhode Island Foreign Language Association (2019) and Northeast Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (2020).  See the presentation here.

Using technology to be a world language teacher rock star

World Language teachers have all sorts of technology available to us to help us with instruction, but sometimes it can be a little overwhelming.  In this session, we'll learn how to create a website to manage all of your media, use Safeshare to filter YouTube videos, use Quia to create games and quizzes, use FlipGrid to share videos, use Handbrake to convert videos, and use iMovie to make green screen videos.  Presented at Rhode Island Foreign Language Assocation (2019).  See the presentation here.

Action! Using drama to build communicative skills

Whether using live skits or recorded videos, drama can help students feel comfortable speaking.  This fun format lowers the affective filter of the students which leads to increased retention of language and greater proficiency.  Drama techniques are excellent for building communicative skills for students of all ages from preK-college level.  Participants will learn to make green screen videos, write skits, and showcase learning through plays or film festivals.   Presented virtually at Rhode Island Foreign Language Association (2020), ACTFL (2020), and the Northeast Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (2021).  See the presentation here.