Growing With Proficiency The Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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What happens when students expect grammar charts, parents want vocabulary lists, and administrators walk in asking, “Why are YOU doing all the talking?” If you’ve felt that tension, this episode is for you.

In this final episode of the Back to School Series, I share the exact lesson I use in the first week of school that changed a lot for me—how I shifted from feeling questioned and defensive to confidently leading my students, parents, and administrators through the “why” of how we teach languages today.

You'll hear how teaching students about language acquisition and ACTFL proficiency empowers them to engage with purpose, builds trust in your classroom, and lays the foundation for meaningful grading conversations all year long.

In This Episode:

• Why world language class is not like math or biology—and why that matters
• How I introduce language acquisition
• Why educating parents and administrators is key
• Why teaching our students about proficiency will help our students to ask better questions for assessments.
• Why this one lesson created more buy-in, better behavior, and stronger relationships in my class

🧰 Resources + Links from the Episode:

📝 Mini Lesson: How Do We Acquire Language?
 👉 Available on TpT

🎯 GWP The Spanish Teacher Academy 👉 Join the Spanish Teacher Academy

🎧 Ep. 78 – w/ Pablo Martinez
 👉 Listen now

🎧 Ep. 131 – ACTFL Proficiency Descriptors w/ Maris Hawkins
 👉 Listen now

📚 Ohio State Study: The Power of Reading Daily
 👉 Read the article

🎁 Want to Start the Year Strong with Everything You Need?

If you're a Spanish teacher ready for:

• Tailored PD for proficiency-based instruction
• Monthly planning support and fresh resources
• A full-year curriculum (Creciendo) that’s comprehensible and compelling
• Panoramas culturales with audio recorded by native speakers
• A thriving teacher community that gets it...

Then the Spanish Teacher Academy is for you! 🎉

👉 Join today at growingwithproficiency.com/academy

🎒 School paying? We accept POs!
 📩 Questions? Email: support@growingwithproficiency.com

❤️ Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram → @claudiamelliott
Podcast archive + blog → growingwithproficiency.com

🎧 Thank you for listening! If this episode inspired you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. Here’s to a joyful, sustainable, and meaningful year!

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The first week of school can feel like a whirlwind—there’s excitement, anticipation, and let’s be honest… pressure. What should you do first? What’s most important? And how can you make sure you’re setting up your students (and yourself!) for a successful, sustainable year?

In this episode, I’m opening up about what I actually prioritize during that first week of school in my Spanish classroom. I’m sharing what I focus on (and what I no longer stress about), how I build trust and connection from day one, and the routines that help students feel safe, welcomed, and ready to use Spanish with confidence.

You’ll hear about:

• What students really bring into your classroom on the first day
• How to make that very first impression count
• Why I lead with connection, not curriculum
• The small changes I’ve made that have had a big impact on student engagement
• How I create an experience where Spanish is accessible and meaningful—even on day one

If you’re feeling the back-to-school pressure or just want a plan that feels human and realistic, this episode is for you.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Join the Spanish Teacher Academy for free: growingwithproficiency.com/trial
• Don’t miss our Live Planning Session on July 22—available to all Academy members!
• Want more back-to-school inspiration? Catch:
  • Ep. 151: The 3 Pillars of a Sustainable Language Class
  • Ep. 153: Planning a Sustainable Year
  • Episodio en Español: 5 claves para comenzar el año escolar

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Are you looking for an interactive and engaging activity to boost your students' participation and build a strong classroom community at the end of the school year? In this episode of "Growing With Proficiency, the podcast," we explore a unique twist on the popular Card Talk activity that my students absolutely loved!

In this activity, I’ll share with you how to turn the simple drawings our students do in card talk into a pair-reading activity plus a gallery walk. 

Main Highlights:

• Introduction to Card Talk and its benefits for student engagement and comprehensible input.
• Detailed activity setup with the prompt: "The Best and the Worst in the School Year."
• Step-by-step process from drawing, writing, hallway gallery walk, and class discussion.
• Personal connection and community building through shared experiences.
• Extending Card Talk: Ideas for adapting Card Talk for different thematic units such as clothing, food, and travel.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Free Teacher Guide: "How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach" – growingwithproficiency.com/guide
• Episode 82: Previous discussion on Card Talk with Ben Fisher
• Follow Claudia on Instagram: @claudiamelliott
• Connect on Facebook: Claudia M Elliott
• Join our waitlist for Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy

Thank you for tuning in to "Growing With Proficiency, the podcast." Until next time, keep growing and keep teaching with passion. ¡Hasta luego!

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Welcome to the first part of our exciting three-part series, where we're diving deep into the foundational pillars of a world language classroom success! In this episode, we focus on the first pillar: Building Stronger Connections.

As language educators, we know the start of a new year is a golden opportunity to foster deeper engagement and cultivate a positive and caring classroom culture. If you're looking for ideas on how to nurture meaningful relationships with your students, this episode is just what you need!

A Quick Recap:

Episode 42: Setting the Stage - We explored how to effectively prepare your classroom, touching on organization and parent communication. Missed it? Listen here.

Episode 43: Powerful First Day - We shared tips for a memorable first day, setting the tone for the rest of the year. Check it out here.

In Today's Episode:

Discover why establishing a sense of belonging and trust is vital for a positive classroom culture and how it boosts student motivation and engagement.

Also, learn about these 5 effective strategies to cultivate classroom connections everyday in your class:

Daily Interactions for Engagement

Building Personal Relationships

'Star Student Interview' Practice

Co-creation of content

Focused Conversations: 2 x 10-minute conversations

This episode kicks off our series with practical and impactful strategies to start your year with strong, positive connections in your classroom. Stay tuned for the next episodes where we'll dive into the remaining pillars of comprehension and communication.

Ready? Click play and happy listening

Teacher Guide: How to Shift to a Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Approach

FB Community Growing With CI

Growing With Proficiency THe Spanish Teacher Academy

Growing With Proficiency Blog

Teacher Pay Teachers Growing With Proficiency Store

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Have you ever wondered if there's a way to be effective inside the classroom without taking work home or feeling guilty or stressed because you’re not taking work home? In this episode of "Doing Less For More in the World Language Class," we delve into four transformative ideas that can help reduce your workload in class without sacrificing effectiveness or impact on your students.

Join me as we discuss homework, assessments, class and unit design, and classroom responsibilities. But there's more – I'll also share insights from my colleagues and friends Meredith White, Christina Margiore, and Bethanie Drew, who have found ways to become more effective in their classes without adding extra time.

Whether you're struggling with the balance of work and home life or seeking new strategies to enhance your teaching, this episode is tailored for you. Click play and enjoy a journey of discovery towards more efficient and fulfilling teaching methods. Happy listening!

Resources:

Teacher Guide: How to Shift to a Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Approach

AP Question Guide

FB Community Growing With CI

Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy

Growing With Proficiency Blog

Teacher Pay Teachers Growing With Proficiency Store

Eudotopia Article about Homework

Episode 11: How to Plan for a 90 Minutes Class

Episode 20: Classroom Jobs

Meredith White

Christina Margiore Blog

Bethanie Drew Blog

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In today's episode of "Growing With Proficiency The Podcast," we're excited to have Kia London with us. We chat about making assessments sustainable and effective in world language classes.

We start by discussing the basics: How often should we assess our students? What should we focus on when grading? And, how long should these assessments be? Kia and I share our thoughts on these important questions.

Next, Kia talks about some of her favorite assessments in world language teaching. She shares examples that are not just effective but also really engaging for the students.

And the highlight? Kia gives us a fantastic tip on a type of assessment that works great for any class, no matter what level or topic you're teaching. It's a really practical suggestion that I think you'll all love.

So, grab a coffee and join us for this conversation. It's going to be a great one, full of ideas that you can easily apply in your own classrooms. ¡Nos vemos pronto!

Growing With Proficiency Blog
Growing With CI FB Community
Claudia at IG
Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist

How to Shift to a Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach: Teacher Guide

Kia is an advocate for equity by way of representation in the world language curriculum and profession. She specializes in language, identity, and curriculum design. She has taught all grade levels K-12, and currently teaches Spanish while working in an additional role as a DEI Coordinator & Specialist in her school community. Through Trailblaze Into Language Learning, Kia has provided workshops, keynotes, and webinars focused on student representation, the African Diaspora, intercultural competence, and second language acquisition. As a writer and co-author of comprehensible short stories and Las voces diversas de la diáspora, she successfully designs a rich curriculum filled with multiple identities, student representation, and student interests.

Kia's Blog & Updates
Kia's Website
Kia's Facebook Group

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Ever felt stuck on how to start your curriculum theme, or noticed your students could use a bit more help before jumping into a new unit? If that sounds familiar, this episode of Growing With Proficiency The Podcast is just for you.

In one of our recent hot seat sessions inside GWP The Spanish Teacher Academy, a member asked us this question: "My students need to talk about their 'plan de vida', but they're short on the right language skills and they're not too excited about talking. What should I do?"

We came with a very effective and efficient solution using 3 main strategies: anchor charts, model texts, and write & discuss.

What's great about this approach is its straightforwardness. The main thing you need is a clear idea of what you want your students to understand or do at the end of the unit. This clarity helps you guide them during the process.  And here's the best part - you don't have to spend hours looking for or making materials before class. All the resources you need can be created right there in the classroom with your students.

This doesn't mean you don't have to prepare. In fact, the preparation is very targeted, but it won't take up much of your time. Ready to find out how you can boost student involvement and language proficiency in your language classes with just a little prep and lots of fun? Tune in to this episode now.

Growing With Proficiency Blog
Growing With CI FB Community
Claudia at IG
Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist
Episode 51: Interpretative Communication: My Takewaways from AATSP Georgia Fall Conference with Florencia Henshaw

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If you have a love-hate relationship with technology, this is your episode. In this episode. Meredith White, an expert in integrating technology in language teaching, shares with us how to navigate the endless amount of tech tools without succumbing to burnout or FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).

Meredith gives us practical strategies and discusses essential tech tools that every world language teacher should consider incorporating into their practice. Plus, Meredith shares her top 'nice-to-have' and 'cool' tech tools that can add an innovative twist to your language classes. Whether you're a tech lover or feel super overwhelmed by the topic, this episode will give you something to make your relationship with technology a more productive one.

Episode Highlights:

Common Pitfalls in Tech Use and Avoiding Burnout: Meredith discusses how to navigate the vast world of educational technology while maintaining balance.

• Three Essential Tech Tools for Language Teachers: Discover the must-have tools that can simplify and enhance language teaching.
• 'Nice-to-Have' and Innovative Tech Tools: Explore additional tools that, while not essential, can add significant value to your language classes.

Links to Mentioned Tech Tools:

• Quizlet - Visit Quizlet
• Edpuzzle - Visit Edpuzzle
• Flip (formerly Flipgrid) - Visit Flip
• Formative - Visit Formative
• Quizzizz - Visit Quizzizz
• Mote - Visit Mote
• ChatGPT - Learn About ChatGPT
• MagicAI - Discover MagicAI
• Twee - Explore Twee

Stay tuned for an engaging discussion that's sure to provide valuable insights and practical tips for integrating technology in your language classes. ¡Hasta luego!

Growing With Proficiency Blog

My store at Teachers Pay Teachers

Growing With CI FB Community

Claudia at IG

Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist

Meredith at X

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Tres Claves Esenciales para Clases de Idiomas Dinámicas y Sostenibles:
En este episodio estoy compartiendo  tres claves esenciales que te ayudarán a hacer tus clases espacios más dinamicos pero de una manera sostenible. 

Clave 1: Actividades Repetibles en Todos los Niveles
Aprende cómo implementar actividades que funcionen en todos los niveles y que puedas usar cada semana.  Estas actividades te ayudarán a disminuir el tiempo de planeación y a reducir la fatiga de crear y tomar decisiones constatemente. 

Te contamos sobre mis favoritas: "Calendario", "Estudiante Estrella" y las "Charlas de Fin de Semana", con un enfoque especial en cómo hacer estas charlas más interactivas y atractivas para tus estudiantes.

Clave 2: Co-Creación de Contenidos con Estudiantes
Descubre el poder de co-crear contenidos con tus estudiantes. Esta colaboración te ayuda a tener textos comprensibles y altamente interesantes para los estudiantes.  

Clave 3: Fomentar la Autonomía
Darle a los estudiantes el poder de decidir es fundamental como parte de su motivación.  En esta sección te daré algunas opciones fáciles que puedas darle a tus estudiantes sin generar más carga de planeación en tus hombros. 

Además, compartiremos recursos y herramientas adicionales como Blooket, Kahoot y Question Well, que pueden añadir diversión y efectividad a tu enseñanza.

Haz clic en play.

Recursos:

Growing With Proficiency Blog

Growing With Proficiency Teachers Pay Teachers

Growing With Proficiency Academia para Profes de Español

Weekend chat

Question Well

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In this episode, Carrie Toth, an author and Spanish educator with over 30 years of experience, shares so many low-prep post-reading activities and games designed to engage students with more reading.

This episode is perfect for our series theme, "Making Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Easy," since Carrie shares with us strategies that enrich language comprehension and communication but don´t require a ton of time to prepare.

Discover or re-discover tools like Gimkit and Quizlet,  and dynamic group activities such as 'Freeze Find' and 'Game of Quotes,' ideal for fostering student collaboration and enhancing language understanding.

Carrie further explains how games like 'Musical Chairs Retell' and 'Yellow Brick Retell' can help students go over main events of a book or reading while keeping the affective filter low.

This episode is a must-listen for language teachers searching for effective, easy-to-implement post-reading games and activities.

Ready? Click and listen now.
_____________________________

Carrie Toth is a Spanish teacher in Illinois. She is in her 30th year in the classroom and her 15th year using acquisition driven instruction to improve student proficiency.

Carrie is a teacher trainer and the author of several readers for language learners. She is also the author of the Huellas curriculum for Intermediate Spanish students.

Links:

Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist

Dia de Gracias Reading: http://growingwithproficiency.com/thankyou

Growing With Proficiency Blog

My store at Teachers Pay Teachers

Carrie Toth´s Blog