Tag Archives: ACTFL

A Spanish-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

One of the best ways to help students build language proficiency is to give them a reason to use the language to learn, share, and communicate. A country project gives students that opportunity.

As students explore the Spanish-speaking world, they develop interpretive reading skills while learning about geography, traditions, food, landmarks, and daily life. Then, by sharing what they’ve learned with classmates, they continue building interpersonal and presentational communication skills in meaningful ways.

This type of project encourages students to see both the diversity and the connections across the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. Instead of viewing the Spanish-speaking world as one culture, students discover the unique traditions, landscapes, and histories that make each country special. This Spanish-Speaking Countries Project does just that.  It includes:

Everything is designed to keep students communicating while learning about culture rather than simply completing a research report.

Whether you’re planning a culture unit, looking for engaging Spanish culture activities, or preparing Hispanic Heritage Month activities, this Spanish-speaking countries project will give your students meaningful opportunities to build proficiency while developing a deeper appreciation for the Spanish-speaking world.

260: Revisit Classroom Routines


This is episode 5 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Classroom Routines in episodes 224 and 233.

Topics in this Episode: 

259: Revisit CI Activities


This is episode 4 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at CI Activities in episodes 218, 222, 228, 231 and 232.

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258: Revisit ACTFL 2025


This is episode 3 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at ACTFL 2025 in episode 225.

Topics in this Episode: 

257: Revisit Sustainable Teaching


This is episode 2 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Sustainable Teaching in episodes 230 and 250.

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256: Revisit Student Motivation


This is episode 1 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Student Motivation in episodes 235 and 237.

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255: Get into Your 2026 Summer Headspace


As the school year winds down and we go into summer mode, hopefully your schedule begins to open up a bit and you have an opportunity to reflect with a little more space and a little less urgency. This is the perfect time to get into what I call your “summer headspace.”  What do I mean by that?  It’s about taking some time to perhaps revisit episodes from the past year in a fresh way that can spark new insights. So, let’s jump in.

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254: 5 Things You Can Do This Summer to Be Ready for the New School Year


When was the last time you had enough time to actually think about your teaching instead of just keeping up with it? If you’re like most language teachers, the school year is a constant cycle of planning lessons, grading, answering emails, attending meetings, and preparing for the next day. Summer offers something different: space. Space to reflect, learn, create, and prepare for the kind of teaching you want to do next year. But I also know that summer doesn’t look the same for everyone. In this episode, I’m sharing five ways language teachers can use whatever time they have this summer to grow professionally without sacrificing the rest and balance they deserve.

Topics in this Episode: 

  •  summer is one of the few opportunities teachers have to work on their teaching instead of simply surviving their teaching
  • five things language teachers can do during the summer that are genuinely difficult to find time for during the school year.
    • reflect on what actually worked this year
    • earn one new teaching skill deeply instead of ten superficially
    • explore ideas you’ve been curious about all year
    • start next year feeling prepared instead of panicked
  • Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win Course

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253: Global Connections and Partnerships in the Language Classroom

What if your students could use the language they’re learning to build real relationships with peers across the globe? In this episode French teacher Heidi Trude joins me to explore how authentic global connections can transform language learning. Heidi shares how a partnership that began with a simple idea grew into meaningful collaborations that deepen students’ language proficiency, cultural understanding, and confidence. We talk about virtual exchanges, international partnerships, practical starting points, sustainability, and the role of technology in making it all possible.

Topics in this Episode:

  • Heidi’s initial spark for building global connections and moving from “this would be nice” to actually making it happen
  • the benefits of global connections for students and the teacher and some unexpected benefits that Heidi has seen
  • the various types of global connections (virtual connections, in-country visits) and what it looks like in practice
  • a few realistic entry points for a teacher who wants to create authentic global connections
  • making these connections sustainable
  • tech tools for global collaborations and ensuring the technology enhances communication rather than distract from it
  • Heidi’s Resource: Making The Global Connection

Connect with Heidi Trude

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252: Breaking Down Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs)


Have you ever wondered whether your tests, quizzes or assessments truly measure what your students can do with the language, or are they just looking at what students can memorize or explain about the language? In this episode we’re diving into Integrated Performance Assessments, or IPAs, an effective way to assess how students are actually able to use the grammar, vocabulary and cultural understanding. An IPA assesses how students engage with the language through the interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes. If you’ve been working toward proficiency-based instruction and looking for assessments that align with those goals, this episode will help you with that.

Topics in this Episode: 

  • Many teachers are moving toward proficiency-based instruction, but assessment often remains disconnected from communication goals.
  • If our goal is communication, then assessment should provide opportunities for students to communicate.
  • What is an Integrated Performance Assessment (IPA)? IPAs assess students through the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational
  • The three tasks are connected rather than separate activities.
  • Students move through a sequence that mirrors real-world communication: Receive information, Discuss information, Share information
  • An IPA focuses on what students can do with language rather than how many grammar rules they can identify.
  • Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win Course:  Integrated Performance Assessments.

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