Foreign Language Education - why we need it!

In this episode, I list, describe, and provide different examples of corrective oral feedback teachers can give students in their language class. I discuss factors that teachers should consider when deciding what strategy to use, and bring in some research. I also briefly reflect on my own experience providing oral feedback to students.

In this Episode, I explain the backward design model, how it works and why it is beneficial especially for differentiating instruction. I also give a step by step guide at planning a lesson using backward design. 

I first explain what task-based learning is by introducing the concept of a "task" and going through the steps of a tasked-based activity. I further go into the discussion Ellis (2017) brings up about the need for a "hybird syllabus" that allows for tasks to happen in addition to working with specific language features.

I briefly introduce the Communicative approach to language teaching, which typically aims at improving students' oral skills. I discuss ways in which the communicative approach can still be used to develop students' writing skills. I go in detail about a specific activity that does just that.

The field of SLA is a field of competing theories grounded in different assumptions about the nature of the mind, the learning process and the social context. Please compare two of these theories: sociocultural theory based on Vygotsky’s ideas and elaborated by Jim Lantolf and chaos/complexity theory adapted for the field of SLA by Diane Larsen-Freeman and Nick Ellis. What are the key assumptions about the L2 learning in each theory? What are their implications for teaching? And which one is closer to your own teaching philosophy and why?

In this epsidoe I discuss the pros and cons of technology and the effect it has on language learning/education. I discuss some common technology tools out there to incorporate in the language classroom. Lastly, I talk about some of my experiences teaching with technology in my foreign language classroom. 

In today's episode I discuss and explain in more detail about what translanguaing is. I further discuss how educators can incorporate translanguaing into their classroom and give examples of what translanguaging can look like.

Today’s epsidoe will focus around the continua of biliteracy, which is a model created by Nancy Hornberger that frames our thinking around teaching, research and policy concerning biliteracy. I discuss how the model is useful in framing our thinking about designing and evaluating curricula? What are the strengths and limitations of using the “Continua of Biliteracy” in this way?

In this episode, I continue discussing the benefits of a bilingual brain, and why we should advocate for bilingual programs in the U.S. I also discuss what exactly bilingual education means and examples of different bilingual programs that can be found.

In this episode I talk about the benefits over providing foreign language education in our schools.  Some maye argue that as a result of globalization there is a less of a need for English speakers to learn another language since English has become a global language. However, I think globalization makes learning a foreign language/culture even more critical in today's world. Listen to find out why!