Best Practices for Teaching French, Spanish, Italian Grammar
Over the years, I’ve tried everything from verb charts and grammar drills to fully communicative lessons with zero explicit grammar, and I’ve found that the sweet spot lies somewhere in between. When grammar is taught intentionally and in context, it can actually support language acquisition rather than hinder it. The goal isn’t to ditch grammar altogether—it’s to make it meaningful, engaging, and connected to real communication. Whether you’re teaching present tense verbs to beginners or the subjunctive to upper-level students, how you teach grammar matters just as much as what you teach. In this post, I’m sharing the best practices that have helped me find that balance.
Oral Presentations & Projects in the World Language Classroom
If you’ve ever nervously recited a weather report or a skit in a World Language class, you know how oral presentations can be both intimidating and empowering. These moments go beyond grammar drills—they push students to communicate with purpose and apply their language skills in real-world contexts. In this post, I’ll share why oral presentations are still essential in today’s language classroom, offer best practices for making them effective, and provide resources to help you implement them with ease and confidence.
French Spanish Italian Subject Pronouns
Teaching subject pronouns can feel like a routine grammar drill, but it doesn't have to be! What if you could turn this essential lesson into an engaging, dynamic experience that resonates with your students? In this post, we’ll explore practical lesson plan ideas and strategies for introducing subject pronouns in French, Spanish, and Italian, providing students with ample practice opportunities, and assessment ideas to ensure your students have mastered the concept. And the best part? All the work has already been done for you—click to read more!
French, Spanish, and Italian City Unit Lesson Planning
Are you in search of some ideas for how to plan your French, Spanish, or Italian City Unit? In this post, I walk you through how to plan for this unit. I include all of the instructional, practice, and assessment materials that you’ll need, and I give tips and strategies for how to pace your unit, what activities to implement and how, and ideas for assessing student learning.
How to Assess Interpersonal & Presentational Writing in Your World Language Class
Should we assess writing in World Language classes? Some argue no, but I believe assessing writing is crucial, even in beginner French, Spanish, and Italian classes. Ignoring writing skills overlooks an essential part of language development. In this post, I’ll share practical strategies for assessing writing proficiency that are both fair and efficient. You'll discover tips to streamline the grading process, and I’ll provide simple, effective rubrics to help you highlight your students' strengths and guide their growth—all while saving you valuable time for other teaching tasks.
Sustainable Teaching Practices for Introverts
Teaching often seems like a profession designed for extroverts—those who thrive in energetic classrooms and bustling hallways, and still have enough energy for socializing after school. But what about introverted teachers? If you're like me, the high-energy nature of teaching can be mentally exhausting, and the noise of the school day overwhelming. As an introverted teacher, I’ve had to find ways to protect my energy while staying present and engaged for my students. In this post, I’ll share the strategies I’ve developed to balance the demands of teaching with my own mental well-being.
Five Ways to Make Language Worksheets More Engaging
Practice worksheets in a World Language class do NOT have to be boring! In this blog post, I share 5 ways to make the worksheets you already have more engaging for your students.
How to Assess Interpersonal & Presentational Speaking in Your World Language Class
Do you know deep down that you need to assess your students' interpersonal and presentational speaking proficiency, but you're at a loss for how to get started? Do you already assess speaking but dread it because of how time consuming and laborious it can be? Then this post is for you! In this blog post, I talk about the importance of speaking assessments, how to assess your students accurately and fairly, and how to save time and energy in the feedback process.
Classroom Management for World Language Teachers
Do you struggle with classroom management? Or are you looking for ways to tweak your current classroom management practices so that your classes run a bit more smoothly? In this blog post, I’m going to share some common classroom management issues that are unique to us as World Language educators, along with some tips and strategies for how to navigate them.
How to Become a French, Spanish or Italian Teacher
Are you interested in pursuing a career in education as a World Language teacher? Do you already speak French, Spanish, or Italian, and have you always felt like your knowledge and passion for language and culture could translate (pun intended!) to a really exciting and rewarding career in the field of education? Click to read more!