Instructional Resources

Language-Learning Resources

General Language Learning Resources

Spanish Language Learning Resources

Technology

Canvas Support: Curt Pavia (Curt.Pavia@wwu.edu)

Teaching Guides

WWU Teaching Handbook: https://www.wwu.edu/teachinghandbook/index.shtml

Some Guidelines for Teaching a Foreign Language

Context, context, context! Try to use real world situations in which to introduce grammar and vocabulary
Try to remain in the target language and encourage students to do the same, even from day one
Try to change activities every 7 minutes (people have short attention spans)
Try to create lessons that integrate culture at every level (High and Low culture)
Try to keep the classroom student centered, which means, in theory, they speak more than you
Do lots of group work, paired up into groups of 2 or 3
Try to create activities that get them out of their seats (TPR, Scavenger hunts, “circulate” activities, “jigsaw” activities).
Focus on the 5 skills of language learning in every class meeting: reading, writing, listening, speaking, and cultural knowledge
Use technology (Youtube, music, power points, etc.)
When doing listening and reading exercises, do pre- and post- reading/listening activities. Get them to think about what they will be reading or listening to first by asking questions or looking at images, etc.
Repetition, repetition, repetition! Recycle material. People usually have to hear something about 7 times in 7 different contexts before it usually sticks with them.
Avoid translation as much as possible. It builds bad habits.
Make communication the goal. Understanding and responding is what you’re aiming for, not perfection. Don’t overcorrect.
Avoid lists of vocabulary. It doesn’t stick with people. Instead, integrate vocabulary naturally via reading or listening activities.
Have fun! Play games! Laugh! Enjoy class time! Make it memorable for you and your students.
Try to give homework and encourage them to do it. If they really want to learn the language, they need exposure outside of class.

Advice from Previous Facilitators

In General

Introduce fun games that focus around your grammar point
It’s okay not to know everything
Professors can be as bad as students when it comes to doing homework
Offer time at the beginning of class to go over the homework just in case they didn’t do it
Relax, your “students”- participants won’t judge you. They want to learn.

Lesson Planning

Be organized and do at least a weekly plan
Use Google docs to collaborate and coordinate plans
Canvas is great for organizing topics for the week
Take the time you need, it’ll take less time over time!
Try to lesson plan for the week on the weekends
Keep your work organized so it’s easier to access later on if you teach the same level again
Dedicate a day during the week to plan everything for the week so you’re not stressed out later.

Being in the Classroom

Using Power Point/Google slides is key
No errors! It’s unprofessional
Be casual but not too casual
Be prepared to give alternative explanations if the participants aren’t understanding a concept
Provide lots of examples
Make it easy for THEM to understand
Arrange seats in a way that promotes conversation (circles, half circles, etc).
Have fun while teaching 🙂