materials – we teach languages

October 7, 2022November 13, 2022 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 151: Task Based Language Teaching and Heritage Learners with Julio Torres

In episode 151, Stacey interviews Dr. Julio Torres about TBLT (Task Based Language Teaching), a methodology that centers communicative tasks as the organizing feature of instruction. Julio discusses how TBLT might work in any language classroom but especially with heritage language learners. If you are curious about what TBLT looks like in the classroom or how to better support your heritage learners, tune in for this discussion with a TBLT instructor, curriculum leader, and researcher.

For links and show notes, visit https://wp.me/s88mlO-151

We welcome feedback, resources, and diverse perspectives on this topic! To contribute to the conversation started here, follow us on Twitter @weteachlang or leave a comment at weteachlang.com.

November 1, 2019January 24, 2020 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 122: Collaborating to Build a Content-based Language Program with Gwen Barnes-Karol and Maggie Broner, Part II

In ep 122, Stacey continues her conversation with Dr. Gwen Barnes-Karol, who specializes in teaching literature, and Dr. Maggie Broner, a sociolinguist, about how a content-based curriculum has transformed the language program at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. St Olaf's Spanish program focuses on textual analysis and academic language starting in the third semester, and they have no grammar review or intro to literature bridge course into the major. This episode, and Part I from last week, will break down how their approach plays out in classes.

For links and show notes, visit https://wp.me/p88mlO-5Ma

We welcome feedback, resources, and diverse perspectives on this topic! To contribute to the conversation started here, leave us a voicemail or send a text message to (629)888-3398. Or you can follow us on Twitter @weteachlang or leave a comment at weteachlang.com.

October 25, 2019February 1, 2021 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 121: Collaborating to Build a Content-based Language Program with Gwen Barnes-Karol and Maggie Broner, Part I

In ep 121, Stacey interviews Dr. Gwen Barnes-Karol, who specializes in teaching literature, and Dr. Maggie Broner, a sociolinguist, about how a content-based curriculum has transformed the language program at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. St Olaf's Spanish program focuses on textual analysis and academic language starting in the third semester, and they have no grammar review or intro to literature bridge course into the major. This episode, and Part II next week, will break down how they have arrived where they are now..

For links and show notes, visit https://wp.me/p88mlO-5Ma

January 11, 2019September 26, 2021 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 87: A Novice Descriptions Unit with Heather Sherrow

Stacey interviews Heather Sherrow about the novice-level unit on descriptions that she developed called Soy Yo: Bringing Life, Purpose, and Meaning to Your Novice Descriptions Unit. This unit tackles stereotypes, celebrates differences, and encourages students to be themselves using songs, memes, commercials, tweets, infographics, and other authentic resources. Heather has presented this unit at several conferences including this past November at ACTFL and has generously shared all of her resources online.

For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2019/01/11/ep-87-with-heather-sherrow/

August 10, 2018November 15, 2018 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 65: Preparing Students for Tests with Savas Savides and Dongbing Zhang

In ep 65, Stacey brings in several guests to discuss preparing students to take those big, standardized tests that students around the world take to certify their language ability, a practice that comes with some benefits but also some challenges. We will revisit some previous episodes, and hear from two guests that are new to the podcast, Savas Savides, an educational consultant in Greece, and Dongbing Zhang, a PhD student in Australia who has also taught English in China.

For links and show notes, visit https://weteachlang.com/2018/08/10/ep-65-with-savas-savides-and-dongbing-zhang

April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 49: Multiliteracies and CARLA Resources for Teachers with Kate Paesani

In ep 49, Stacey is joined by Dr. Kate Paesani, the Director of the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA). Kate tells us about the wealth of resources CARLA can offer teachers. She also discusses her research on multiliteracies, a framework that allows learners to engage with authentic texts in multiple ways.

For links and show notes, visit http://weteachlang.com/2018/04/20/ep-49-with-kate-paesani

September 1, 2017September 23, 2018 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 18: Technology, Performance, and a Proficiency-Oriented Curriculum with Catherine Ousselin

In episode 18, Stacey interviews Catherine Ousselin, a French teacher from Washington state who holds the distinction of being the 2017 Pacific NW Council for Languages Teacher of the Year. She is also a finalist for the ACTFL Teacher of the Year honor for 2018 and an avid technologist. Catherine discusses specific technologies and classroom practices that she employs in her classroom, including some specific examples of tasks and performance assessments that motivate students to develop proficiency in French.

For links and show notes, visit http://weteachlang.com/2017/09/01/we-teach-languages-episode-18-technology-performance-and-a-proficiency-oriented-curriculum-with-catherine-ousselin

August 11, 2017September 23, 2018 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 15: The Voc/zes podcast with Liz Lake and Stephanie Hernandez

In episode 15, Stacey turns the microphone around on Liz Lake and Stephanie Hernandez, two faculty members in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Minnesota who started a podcast in order to provide their students with meaningful, authentic listening opportunities. They discuss their work and invite listeners to use their podcast episodes in their own classrooms. For links and show notes, visit http://weteachlang.com/2017/08/11/we-teach-languages-episode-15-the-voczes-podcast-with-elizabeth-lake-and-stephanie-hernandez

August 4, 2017September 23, 2018 staceymargarita WTL Podcast Episodes

We Teach Languages Episode 14: Making the Transition to Authentic Resources and Proficiency with Lisa Shepard

In episode 14, Stacey talks with Lisa Shepard, a language teacher who, over the course of her 29-year teaching career, has successfully transitioned from verb conjugations and traditional tests to authentic resources and performance assessments. Lisa shares her own journey as well as practical advice for teachers interested in teaching for proficiency. For links and show notes, visit http://weteachlang.com/2017/08/03/we-teach-languages-episode-14-making-the-transition-to-authentic-resources-and-proficiency-with-lisa-shepard