I’ve never heard it argued that high school trips abroad aren’t wonderful for students. It’s a chance to use (and improve upon) what they’ve learned in the classroom, and it’s a deep dive into target language culture and customs. On the other hand, it’s common to hear high school teachers proclaim some version of, “No way! I’m not going to lead one of those trips!” Some don’t have the time, some admit that they’re scared to do it, and others simply don’t want to give up hard

So it’s the end of another school year and you’re looking to go out with a bang. What to do? The University of Denver’s 1st year Spanish program is planning a special celebration this year in the form of a mock Oscars ceremony. While we haven’t yet executed the plan, we are sharing it below in case it’s of use to other schools looking for inspiration to end the year strong! The idea: With a large program of ~500 students and ~10 instructors per quarter, it’s difficult to prov

As a world language teacher, I've come to realize the immense potential our classrooms hold in nurturing an environment of equity and diversity. In a world that's more interconnected than ever, understanding and valuing cultural diversity is not just a curriculum requirement but an essential life skill. At the heart of my approach is an inclusive curriculum design. I strive to encompass a wide range of cultures and perspectives in my lessons, going beyond grammar and vocabula

“Yeah, sure. Global ed. That’s what I do naturally because I’m a world language teacher. It just comes with the territory.” Although it pains me to admit, those were the thoughts running through my head when I was first introduced to global education as a brand new NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow. Listening to the brilliant Dr. Fernando Reimers speak with passion, conviction, and unmatched knowledge on the subject, I felt myself shrink. How could I be so naïve, so presu

Have you ever wasted hours trying to find the perfect article or video to show students so practice their reading or listening comprehension? This quarter—inspired by Mike Peto’s Free Voluntary Reading, which allows students regular, low-stakes opportunities to read books of their choosing—I experimented with restructuring days oriented toward reading and listening comprehension by allowing students the freedom to select their own authentic resources. As a result, I not only

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, technology has become an invaluable tool for enhancing learning experiences. One noteworthy addition to the classroom is ChatGPT, a powerful language model developed by OpenAI. As a Spanish high school teacher, I've discovered innovative ways to leverage ChatGPT to support language learning and promote a more engaging and interactive classroom environment. In this blog, I will share insights into how ChatGPT can be effectivel

As educators, we can’t imagine why anyone would skip our amazing class. And while we wish that our magnetic instruction alone would fill seats, most institutions require an extrinsic policy to nudge students our way. But how does one strike a balance between incentivizing attendance and recognizing that students simultaneously juggle other classes, jobs, families, health, and all of life’s other competing priorities? Should our instruction always take precedence over all the