During my years of teaching language immersion, kindergarten and Spanish in elementary, middle and high school, I have come to regard the calendar as an indispensable teaching tool. Math, weather, numbers, counting, seasons, days and months can all be taught via some time spent daily with the calendar. Using the calendar daily in your secondary […]
In a short clip from a fellow educator on YouTube I share a classroom-tested idea: Introducing adjectives in Spanish by using opposites. This approach is quick to set up, immediately engaging for students, and helps make new vocabulary meaningful through contrast and exaggeration. “A great way to introduce adjectives is to do opposites.” Why opposites
In my short video I share a quick, practical approach to listening and reading practice: a simple graphic organiser that helps learners jot down the essentials — who, what, when, where, why. This Comprehension Template for teaching languages is designed for novice-level students and works equally well for listening, reading, speaking preparation and beginner writing. What
In my video, I share a simple, engaging classroom activity that uses fake text messages to help beginner Spanish students practise grammar and real-world texting language. I love using playful, low-prep tasks that give learners input and a chance to produce their own messages. Teaching Languages: Fake Text Messages is an approachable way to combine
If you teach languages and want quick, engaging ways to get students talking, this roundup collects the best low-prep and no-prep ideas from a talk I gave and expands on how to use them at different levels. Why low- and no-prep activities matter for Teaching Languages Language teaching is energy-intensive. The best short activities do
Tumble Tower Conversation Game: Get to Know You (Spanish Class) Tumble Tower Conversation Game: Get to Know You Spanish Class Activity Tumble Tower games, often known by the commercial name “Jenga,” are a simple and highly engaging way to bring movement, fun, and meaningful communication into the Spanish classroom. This “Get to Know You” version