Support Target Language Use in the Classroom

World Language Classroom

#165
How much of the target language is used in your classroom, by both you and your students? I’m talking about truly communicative language. Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Helen, a German teacher in Wisconsin. Using the target language more regularly and authentically is the area where she wants to level up her teaching practice.

Suggestions:

• Develop consistent classroom routines that naturally incorporate the target language.Greetings and farewells, instructions, and integrate common phrases and questions throughout the day.
• Provide scaffolding tools like visuals, sentence starters, language mats, and anchor charts that students can refer to when they need assistance.
• Design interactive activities that require students to use the target language.
• Consistently model the use of the target language in your own speech and interactions with students. Acknowledging and praising students when they make an effort to speak in the target language.

Action Plan:

This Week:

• Set Clear Expectations and Establish Routines
• Create and display a set of classroom rules in the target language
• Create a "language mat" or anchor chart with common phrases and sentences

The Coming Weeks:

• Plan at least two interactive activities per week that require students to use the target language, such as partner conversations, role-plays, or language games.
• Consistently speak in the target language yourself and use positive reinforcement when students make an effort to speak in the target language.
• Reward system

You can also be a part of Leveling Up coaching episode if there is an area of your teaching that you like to improve or enhance. Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode.
Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

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

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