In my school, staff meetings are necessary events that teachers have to attend, but I think it's fair to say that they are not generally seen as more than that. As department head, I also hold one meeting per month, and I've done the same in my roles on various committees. Whatever the topic, it's … Continue reading
I wanted to write this blog post to share a strategy that has worked well this year to help my students progress in their speaking skills. The big four language competencies are speaking, listening, reading and writing. Of those, speaking is the one that probably causes the most stress and anxiety for students. They have … Continue reading
The week before Christmas holidays is usually a busy one in schools, and often a time when students' attention may wander. There are many Christmas-themed worksheets and quick activities available, but this year my collaboration partner and I have put together a series of stations for our students to explore some cultural aspects of the … Continue reading
My collaboration partner has told me the story many times of her students at her previous school forming the idea that all French people eat baguettes, live in France, and so things like visit the Eiffel Tower. It's been my observation that my students have formed similar misconceptions, but it's also a powerful thing when … Continue reading
Having taught French for 20 years, there were certain things I thought I knew. For example, the best place to start with verbs is present tense, because (a) it's easier for students to understand, (b) it gives them lots of things to say about what's happening right now, and (c) it's easier for them to … Continue reading
The more I am working on moving to more skill based instruction, implementing BC's new curriculum redesign, the more I am finding that using stations are a good instructional design to allow students to practice those skills using communicative activities, and receive feedback in class. The more I use them, the more they are becoming … Continue reading
In my previous blog post, I explained the structure of the reading journals my collaboration partner and I are currently using. In Part 2 of the information about reading journals, you will find: how (and why) we started reading journals with our students this year how we model the responses to guide students how students … Continue reading
Authentic texts in a language course are fun to explore, and engaging for students - the ability to read something that was not created at a given level for a textbook, or the ability to choose something that the student is genuinely interested in makes for a powerful learning experience. The challenges for a teacher … Continue reading
I don't know if this happens to everyone, but sometimes I get an idea that just doesn't leave. Like ever. And the only way to deal with it is to explore it, dig into it, follow it where it takes you. This past summer, my collaboration partner and I read a book that we had … Continue reading
If you are a high school teacher, you have probably had the experience of students telling you the previous year's teacher didn't teach them "anything", or that they "never" learned the thing you are asking them if they know. We know this isn't true, but the issue remains - there is a learning gap that … Continue reading
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