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World Language Classroom

Joshua Cabral, French, Spanish and World Language Teaching Ideas

218 episodes

18 hours ago

#216 Are your assessments really capturing what your students can do with the language? Or are they just measuring memorization and correctness? In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it looks like to assess for performance and proficiency. I’ll share tips for aligning tasks to the modes of communication, using Can Do Statements to drive growth, and giving feedback that supports risk-taking rather than only focusing on what is not completely accurate. Topics in this Episode: Assessment an...

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Language Learning

All content for World Language Classroom is the property of Joshua Cabral, French, Spanish and World Language Teaching Ideas and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

#216 Are your assessments really capturing what your students can do with the language? Or are they just measuring memorization and correctness? In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it looks like to assess for performance and proficiency. I’ll share tips for aligning tasks to the modes of communication, using Can Do Statements to drive growth, and giving feedback that supports risk-taking rather than only focusing on what is not completely accurate. Topics in this Episode: Assessment an...

Show more...

Language Learning

Episodes (20/218)

World Language Classroom

Assessment & Feedback: Supporting Growth, Not Just Grades

#216 Are your assessments really capturing what your students can do with the language? Or are they just measuring memorization and correctness? In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it looks like to assess for performance and proficiency. I’ll share tips for aligning tasks to the modes of communication, using Can Do Statements to drive growth, and giving feedback that supports risk-taking rather than only focusing on what is not completely accurate. Topics in this Episode: Assessment an...

5 days ago

29 minutes

World Language Classroom

Boost Interpersonal Speaking Skills at All Levels

#215 Do your students freeze up during partner conversations? Rely on memorized phrases? Default to English? It’s not just your students, I assure you, and the issue isn’t their ability, it’s the way we structure the speaking task. In this episode, I’ll show you how to get students talking, really communicating, no matter their proficiency level. You’ll learn how to design interpersonal speaking tasks that are spontaneous and supported, with strategies you can right away. Whether your student...

1 week ago

22 minutes

World Language Classroom

Be Intentional With Your Planning

#214 Do your lessons ever feel like a mix of good activities that just don’t quite connect? You’re not alone—and it’s frustrating when all your effort doesn’t lead to real language growth. In this episode, we talk about how planning intentionally from the first input to the final assessment so everything works together to build proficiency. You’ll get practical ideas, a clear framework, and a fresh approach that makes planning easier and more effective. So, let's jump in. Topics in this Episo...

2 weeks ago

19 minutes

World Language Classroom

Ready For Tomorrow Quick Wins

#213 Are you always looking for better ways to support your language learners? That’s probably why you listen to this podcast—because you care about teaching. But time is limited, and sometimes you just need a quick, practical idea you can try tomorrow. That’s exactly why I created the Ready for Tomorrow Quick Win PD series. In this episode, I’ll walk you through these short, focused courses designed specifically for world language teachers—with real classroom strategies that actually stick. ...

3 weeks ago

13 minutes

World Language Classroom

Setting Goals for Students and Teachers

#212 Are your goals for this year focused on what you’ll teach or what your students will be able to do with the language? In this episode, we’re talking about goal setting, for you and your students, in a way that’s centered on language proficiency, not just study habits or behavior. I’ll walk you through a practical framework to set meaningful goals that set you up and your students up for a year that’s focused, communicative, and confidence-building. Topics in this Episode: why stude...

1 month ago

24 minutes

World Language Classroom

A Simple Way For Students to Understand Language Proficiency

#211 Do your students know exactly what they can do in the target language? If you asked them right now, could they tell you their current proficiency level and the specific skills they’re working toward? In my experience, when students understand the proficiency path, they take ownership of their progress in a very meaningful and personal way. In this episode, I share how I help students visualize and track their growth using a Path to Proficiency Wall and how you can do the same in your cla...

1 month ago

16 minutes

World Language Classroom

Revisit CI Activities and Planning for Proficiency

#210 This is episode 6 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning next week on August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at some activities that you can use as you begin the school year. In episode 180 I tell you about lots of CI activities that you can use tight away and in episode 2...

1 month ago

6 minutes

World Language Classroom

Revisit Calendar Talk and Special Person Interviews

#209 This is episode 5 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at a few CI strategies. In episode 170 I speak with John Sifert about calendar talk and in episode 170 I discuss special person interviews with Bryce Hedstrom. Episodes: 170: Ca...

1 month ago

4 minutes

World Language Classroom

Revisit the Leveling Up Coaching Episodes

#208 This is episode 4 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at 3 Leveling Up Coaching episodes. Episode 165 about supporting target language, episode 169 about student choice and episode 174 about cohesive lessons and flow in the classro...

2 months ago

6 minutes

World Language Classroom

Revisit Working Smarter and AI Tools

#207 This is episode 3 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at episode 163 where I talked about working smarter and not harder with Amy Marshall and episode 183 where I talked with Noemi Rodriguez about supporting students with AI tools. Episo...

2 months ago

4 minutes

World Language Classroom

Revisit Authentic Texts and Products, Practices & Perspectives

#206 This is episode 2 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at 2 more of the high leverage teaching practices. Episode 167 about guiding learners to interpret and discuss authentic texts and episode 171 about focusing on cultural products, pra...

2 months ago

4 minutes

World Language Classroom

Revisit Confidence in Speaking and Making Language Comprehensible

#205 This is episode 1 in my 2025 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 26th, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at 2 of the high leverage teaching practices. Episode 160 about creating a classroom where students use the target language confidently and 162 about making language comprehensible. Episode...

2 months ago

4 minutes

World Language Classroom

Get into Your 2025 Summer Headspace

#204 Now that the school year is over hopefully you have a little less on your mind and have a little extra time. This is the perfect time to get into your summer headspace. What do I mean by that? You’ll soon understand. Let’s jump in. What do I mean by “Summer Headspace?”Time to reflect without other pressing priorities and issues.Clear head.Opportunity to revisit themes and episodes with a fresh lens. Maybe something has come up since you first listened?You catch so...

2 months ago

4 minutes

World Language Classroom

Black History & Hispanic Heritage in Language Curriculum with Jenniffer Whyte

#203 What do we mean when we talk about representation in the classroom? More specifically representation in our language classrooms? How can we make sure that our students understand the variety of cultures and experiences that are part of the target language culture? In this episode, Jenniffer Whyte joins me to talk about bringing the Afro-Latinx and Black heritage into our classroom curriculum. You will walk away with concrete ways to go about this and might even be ready to pu...

3 months ago

46 minutes

World Language Classroom

Planning and Teaching for Proficiency

#202 I want to make sure that you start your new school in the fall with a clear framework for planning and teaching for proficiency. I created a free reflection and planning tool that will guide you as you create a classroom that prioritizes what students can do with language. In this episode I will tell you all about it and point you to where you can get yours today. Planning & Teaching for Proficiency: A Guide for Language Teachers Topics in this Episode: By focusing on performance, ...

3 months ago

11 minutes

World Language Classroom

Ideas to Get Students Speaking More with Sherry Sebesta

#201 Do you have some go-to activities to motivate your students to speak and engage with the target language in your classroom? Are you always on the lookout for activities and routines to add to your list of possibilities? In this episode, I speak with Sherry Sebesta, a French and Spanish teacher in New York. Sherry shares suggestions for getting your students speaking the target language more regularly and confidently. You’ll go away with several new things to try out right away. Top...

3 months ago

19 minutes

World Language Classroom

Tips for Common Challenges in Proficiency-Based Classrooms

#200 How do you feel about the CI strategies, proficiency-based procedures or communicative language teaching that you do in your classroom? You hear a lot about it, either on this podcast, from colleagues or on social media. Lots of good stuff. But, do you sometimes feel like it seems like it's always smooth sailing with no challenges in other classrooms while you definitely have them in your own classroom? Well, me too. We all have them. In this episode I will ...

3 months ago

23 minutes

World Language Classroom

Celebrating Identity and Dialects in Heritage Classes with Courtney Nygaard

#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...

4 months ago

31 minutes

World Language Classroom

Engaging Routines in the Language Classroom with Tia Parnell

#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 Episod...

4 months ago

33 minutes

World Language Classroom

How & Why To Do a Write and Discuss

#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 m...

4 months ago

30 minutes