Tag Archives: professional development

213: Ready for Tomorrow Quick Wins

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Are you always looking for better ways to support your language learners? That’s probably why you listen to this podcast—because you care about teaching. But time is limited, and sometimes you just need a quick, practical idea you can try tomorrow. That’s exactly why I created the Ready for Tomorrow Quick Win PD series. In this episode, I’ll walk you through these short, focused courses designed specifically for world language teachers with real classroom strategies that actually stick.

Take a look at the courses!

Topics in this Episode:

What Is the Ready for Tomorrow Series?

  • A collection of 30-minute mini-courses for world language teachers.
  • Focused on quick wins—you can watch today and use it in class tomorrow.
  • Includes: A short, focused audio lesson (like a podcast episode with visuals), Printable note sheet, Planning templates, Proficiency-level examples, Reflection prompts, Certificate of completion

What Makes These Different?

  • Specifically for language teachers. No need to adapt or translate strategies from other content areas.
  • Truly actionable. Not theory-heavy or overwhelming.
  • Efficient and practical. Just 30 minutes each—no fluff.
  • Flexible. Learn anytime, anywhere—at your pace.
  • Made for teachers like you. Focused on your goals, your learners, your classroom realities.

Pricing and Access Options

  • Each course is available individually for $10.
  • Or grab the growing bundle (20% Discount):

Take a look at the courses!

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

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199: Celebrating Identity and Dialects in Heritage Classes with Courtney Nygaard

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How can celebrating identity and dialects transform the experience of language learners? In this episode I’m joined by Courtney Nygaard, a teacher of heritage Spanish speakers in Minnesota.  Courtney shares how she honors and values her students’ identities as a way to build confidence, connection, and community in the classroom. We talk about practical strategies for embracing dialectal differences, navigating varied proficiency levels, and fostering a space where all students feel seen and valued. Whether you teach a heritage class or not, this conversation will inspire you to make your classroom a place where every student and experience is valued.

Topics in this Episode:

  •  importance of celebrating identity and dialects in language classes
  • strategies or activities you can use to acknowledge and honor the diverse identities and dialects of your students
  • challenges that might arise when students speak different dialects or have varying levels of proficiency in the heritage language
  • Courtney’s success stories and examples where celebrating identity and dialects positively impacted her students’ learning and engagement?
  • for teachers who don’t have heritage classes, how you can create an inclusive and supportive environment that respects and celebrates the linguistic diversity of your students
  • Episode 96: Teaching Heritage Language Learners with Courtney Nygaard

Connect with Courtney Nygaard:

Work with Joshua either in person or remotely.

Teachers want to hear from you and what you are proud of in your classroom.
Join me as a guest on the podcast.

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Posted in Classroom Procedures, Cultural Exploration, Podcast Episodes

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190: Using Podcast Episodes as Departmental PD with Andrea Caulfield

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A few weeks back I posted on LinkIn and Andrea Caulfield left a comment. Andrea is the World Language Curriculum Specialist in Denver Public Schools.  She commented that she uses podcast episodes as a way of bringing professional development and coaching to the 100+ teachers in her district. I was intrigued to learn more about how she managed this logistically and wanted you to hear it as well in case you are interested in doing something similar. Andrea explains how she chooses and recommends episodes, works with teachers to engage with the topics and, of course, the logistics.

Topics in this Episode:

  • why Andrea started using podcast episodes as professional development in her language department
  • how she structure discussions and activities around podcast episodes to ensure meaningful professional growth for teachers
  • specific benefits Andrea has seen in her department since incorporating podcasts into her PD model
  • choosing which podcast episodes to use
  • advice for language department leaders who want to implement podcast-based professional development but aren’t sure where to start
  • Andrea’s podcast episode database.
  • Andrea’s reflection questions:
    • What confirmed or challenged your beliefs in the episode(s) you listened to?
    • What were your biggest takeaways?
    • What is one change you are committed to making in your own practice based on your learning, and what steps do you need to take to make that change?
    • What barriers to successful implementation do you foresee? How might you avoid them?
    • How will you measure success for the change you plan to implement?
    • What questions are you left with?

Connect with Andrea Caulfield:

Work with Joshua either in person or remotely.

Teachers want to hear from you and what you are proud of in your classroom.
Join me as a guest on the podcast.

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Posted in Podcast Episodes, Teaching Methodology and Research

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110: Conferences and PD for Language Teachers

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Have you attended a conference specifically for language teachers, either locally, regionally or nationally.  If you have, this episode will get you excited about the upcoming conference season.  If you’ve never attended, you’ll be inspired to attend for sure. Danja Mahoney and Vilma Nasuti Bibeau, both members of their state language conference planning committee, join me to explore everything that these events have to offer and all that’s in it for language teachers.  I live for PD, workshops and a good ol’ conference. I’m so excited.

Topics in this episode:

  • Benefits of attending a conference for world language teachers
  • What typically happens at a language teacher’s conference?
  • Who presents at conferences?
  • Events and activities that are typically available to conference attendees.
  • Networking opportunities, social gatherings and exhibitors.
  • How language teacher conferences foster collaboration among attendees.

Connect with Vilma, Danja and MaFLA:

Work with Joshua either in person or remotely.

Teachers want to hear from you and what you are proud of in your classroom.
Join me as a guest on the podcast.

You  can also be a part of Leveling Up coaching episode if there is an area of your teaching that you like to improve or enhance.  Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode.  

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Virtual Professional Development with a Personal Learning Network (PLN)

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Computers, smartphones, tablets, the internet, apps, and websites are all around us and it is a rare day when a teacher does use at least one of these technology tools.  In response to this, Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) have become virtual, easily accessible and quick.  A PLN consists of learners (teachers seeking professional development in this case) who create connections and develop a network that contributes to their professional development and knowledge.

Virtual Professional Development with a Personal Learning Network (PLN) wlteacher.wordpress.comTypically, the learner does not have to know the people personally or ever meet them in person.  Professional conferences play an important role in professional development, but an active PLN happens on the timetable of the individual, though there are some PLNs that have designated chat session times once a week, but that happens from where you are.

My PLNs:

  • Twitter (hashtag #langchat for foreign language teachers).  Post a question with the hashtag or search Twitter with the hashtag and respond or read responses.
  • Facebook (Create a page and invite teachers to join).  I am a member of the Organic World Language (OWL) page and the discussions are very formative.
  • Pinterest (Follow boards of interest).  I maintain individual boards by topic and follow other boards with those topics.  Comment on pins or repin the pins that you like to your own boards.
  • Instagram (Follow other language teachers and world travelers).  Search topics with hashtags (#) and get great visuals for use in the classroom.  Comment and share with other teachers.
  • Periscope (Interact with language teachers in real time).  I follow several language educators and I also scope once a week, sometimes more, about language teaching tips, tools and resources.
  • YouTube (Follow channels that interest you).  Don’t just watch videos, leave comments and start a conversation.  Create a network.
  • Blogs (like this one).  Follow blogs of interest and you will be notified of new posts.  Don’t just read the posts, pin, tweet, post on Facebook and comment on the post on the blog.  This starts a conversation.

Here is a quick and informative video on Personal Learning Networks (PLNs):

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Posted in Teaching Methodology and Research, Technology

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