The last bell has rung. The grades are in. The classroom is quiet. Whether you teach Spanish 1 or AP French, you just made it through another school year. And before you completely collapse on the couch (you've earned it), there are a few things worth doing that your August self will absolutely thank you for. This isn't about working through your summer. It's about being intentional with it so you rest well, reflect honestly, and come back in the fall ready to do this better

I was overjoyed when my two kids got their first passports! From the time they were born, my husband and I were in agreement that traveling internationally with them would be a priority, and we would do what we had to do to make that happen. We now have a 6- and a 9-year-old who love collecting passport stamps and trying out different languages and food. Those stamps, however, feel like they are not so much made with ink but with actual blood, sweat, and many tears! After s

By Paola Valladares Research shows that one of the most exhausting times in a teacher’s year is right now, that stretch when you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it still feels miles away. Students are restless, teachers are tired, and everyone is ready for a break. So, what can we do? Here are some ideas to make the final weeks of the semester both meaningful and productive without burning out. 1. Revisit and Reflect on Goals Make a list of the learning goals

By Stefan DuBois As language instructors, we aim to build practical skills for real-world communication, and nothing helps students realize the extent of the abilities they have developed like an authentic interaction with a native speaker. In spring 2025, the University of Denver’s (DU) first-year Spanish program organized a virtual language exchange for students to do exactly that, and the outcomes for students were nothing short of fantastic. Logistics We implemented

by Paola Valladares In the high school hallway shuffle, world language classes often get the short end of the scheduling stick. Students squeeze us in between core requirements and electives they feel passionate about—like art or music. Spanish, to many, seems like an “easy A” where we sing the alphabet and watch Dora the Explorer. But when they walk into my class, I offer more than a language credit—I invite them into transformation. Even in Level 1, I introduce grammar for

3 Education-Focused Podcasts to Check Out Today By Erin E.H. Austin It feels like there are two main camps where podcasts are concerned: those who subscribe to far more podcasts than they can reasonably listen to in a single lifetime and those who have never listened to a single podcast episode. And at least in my social circles, there doesn’t seem to be much in between! I happen to fall solidly into the first camp. Whether commuting to work, walking the dog, or warming up a

HOW TO FINISH THE SCHOOL YEAR AND GET STUDENTS EXCITED FOR NEXT YEAR The end of the year is the perfect opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and plant the seeds for what’s next. So how do we wrap up the year in a way that keeps students engaged and builds excitement for what’s ahead? Here are the most important elements of a successful end-of-year plan: It gives students a chance to show off what they’ve learned in a meaningful way It includes ALL students—yes, even the quiet o