#199

How can celebrating identity and dialects transform the experience of language learners? In this episode I'm joined by Courtney Nygaard, a teacher of heritage Spanish speakers in Minnesota. Courtney shares how she honors and values her students' identities as a way to build confidence, connection, and community in the classroom. We talk about practical strategies for embracing dialectal differences, navigating varied proficiency levels, and fostering a space where all students feel seen and valued. Whether you teach a heritage class or not, this conversation will inspire you to make your classroom a place where every student and experience is valued.

Topics in this Episode:

• importance of celebrating identity and dialects in language classes
• strategies or activities you can use to acknowledge and honor the diverse identities and dialects of your students
• challenges that might arise when students speak different dialects or have varying levels of proficiency in the heritage language
• Courtney's success stories and examples where celebrating identity and dialects positively impacted her students' learning and engagement?
• for teachers who don’t have heritage classes, how you can create an inclusive and supportive environment that respects and celebrates the linguistic diversity of your students

Connect with Courtney Nygaard:

• Instagram: @profenygaard
• Website: www.heritagespanish.com, www.profenygaard.com

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

• wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district? Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
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Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode on the podcast.

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#198

How can simple, consistent routines create a classroom where students communicate confidently in the target language every day? In this episode we look at how effective routines lead to successful classrooms. I’m joined by Tia Parnell, a French teacher in Ontario, Canada. Tia shares practical insight into how routines can create structure, boost engagement, and support meaningful language use. Everything from warm-ups and transitions to handling interruptions.

Topics in this Episode:

• routines as the backbone of the classroom the key elements that make a classroom routine both simple and effective
• morning routines that work particularly well in a world language classroom to set the tone for meaningful language use
• transitions how do you help students smoothly shift between activities while keeping them engaged in language learning?
• how to maintain structure when unexpected events disrupt routines, and strategies to help students reset and refocus
• advice for establishing consistent routines to support teachers starting strong and maintaining

Connect with Tia Parnell

• TikTok: @parfaitementparnell
• Instagram: @parfaitementparnell
• Website: parfaitementparnell.com

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

• wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district? Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode on the podcast.

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#197

Have you heard of a Write and Discuss or have you tried it in your classroom? If you've done it, you know how useful and beneficial it is for students and yourself as the teacher. If this is new to you, in this episode you’ll hear about an incredibly useful collaborative writing activity that you can do with your students right away. No preparation needed. If this is not new to you, stick around. You’ll also hear some tips and new ways that will help to make your Write and Discuss even more effective in your classroom

Topics in this Episode:

• Write and Discuss is a guided writing activity after a shared class experience (like a story, picture talk, reading, or discussion).
• The teacher writes a summary or retelling of the event on the board or screen with student input.
• Why the Write and Discuss is so useful.
• How to do a Write and Discuss with specific steps.
• Examples of a Write and Discuss at novice and intermediate proficiency levels.
• Follow-up activities once you have the co-created text.
• Using the Write and Discuss text to teach grammar using the PACE model.
• Tips and what to avoid when doing a Write and Discuss.
• Blog post on Write and Discuss

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

• wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district? Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode on the podcast.

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.