This past week, Dr. Stephen Krashen published a blog post entitled “90% fever: Should we require that the teacher use the target language 90% of the time in class?” Being the researcher he is, he expressed his misgivings about ACTFL’s statement about 90% Target Language,...
There was recently a lively discussion on the iFLT/NTPRS/CI Teaching Facebook Group about how TPRS novels / Comprehension-based readers are assigned a level. The discussion made me realize that there is currently no uniform (or even remotely similar) formula or system among the various publishers/authors...
Last month at the OFLA Conference in Cleveland, Dr. Paul Toth gave a keynote address and a 3-hour workshop entitled 'How Can They Communicate If They Don't Know the Grammar?'. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to hear either presentation, but as luck would...
At iFLT 2017, I presented a session called “Digging out of the Reading Rut.” In this session, we explored ways to read chapters of a text differently and activities to follow up those chapter readings. Because many Fluency Matters comprehension-based readers have 10 chapters let’s...
At iFLT 2017, I presented a session called “Digging out of the Reading Rut.” In this session, we explored ways to read chapters of a text differently and activities to follow up those chapter readings. Because many Fluency Matters Comprehension-based readers have 10 chapters let’s...
4th quarter has arrived and both students and teachers find themselves looking toward the end of the school year. The last 9 weeks can be both exciting (our students are able to do things they couldn’t in August) and tiring (seniors have senioritis and so...
Most of us are three-quarters of the way through the school year. Some of you may have spent some time during Spring break, a snow day, or a recent weekend considering how your classes have gone so far this school year and are fine tuning...
This is a continuation of an article that began last week. To read part 1, click here! Being lost in a comprehensible, compelling book creates an optimal condition for acquiring language. The more compelling the story, the more likely learners are to tolerate a bit ‘noise’...
Hands-down reading is one of the most powerful tools for facilitating acquisition of vocabulary–whether it is vocabulary from your first, second or third language. Most educators acknowledge the power of reading to enhance one’s first (already-established) language (i.e.: expand vocabulary, develop writing skills and improve...
In my school, we have 2 tracks for Spanish 2: College Prep and Regular. Since Michigan has a graduation requirement of the successful completion of 2 consecutive years of the study of a world language, my Spanish 2 students are coming to my classroom needing...
A common question I get asked is “What level is this reader for?” Another question I get asked is “Which readers do you use in level ___?” I have even recently seen a teacher create an online poll asking other teachers to VOTE for the...
Remember that READING is just a tool for providing a comprehensible platform to facilitate various interpersonal exchanges. For students to acquire language, you have to be in the language, and to sustain interaction, you need an interesting topic and comprehensible language. That’s what Fluency Matters...
The Power of Stories by Emily Ibrahim When I first began teaching elementary school Spanish, getting my students to remember vocabulary in Spanish was like pulling teeth. I only saw them once a week for forty minutes (can any other elementary school language teachers relate?!) and they...
Last week, I was given the opportunity to attend The Joint National Committee for Languages/The National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS) Language Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. as a representative of the Illinois Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ICTFL). Although I saw many familiar...
Movie Talk originated as an element of the Focal Skills approach developed in the 1990s by ESL instructor Dr. Ashley Hastings. Movie Talk is an essential component in developing what is known in Focal Skills as the “Listening Module.” In Focal Skills, students spend intensive...
Before you read Carrie's blog post, the Fluency Matters Team thought it might be a good idea to hear from Carol Gaab, the Editor in Chief at Fluency Matters: I won't go as far as saying that writing a good story is easy. I would, however,...
If you have ever uttered or heard the following questions/comments, then you should definitely read on: “My administrators gave me a bad evaluation, because s/he said my class Is not student-centered.” “My supervisor said that I am talking too much, that my class is too...
Every semester I have my Spanish 2 students do a short piece of writing in class that is assessed as part of their semester exam. Usually at the end of the semester, students are quite stressed and feeling less than inspired. I have found that...
Have you ever wondered why Fluency Matters refers to its novels as ‘comprehension-based readers’ ? The answer is because a novel is merely a story that is told using random language. Our readers are anything but random! They are strategically written and painstakingly edited to ensure...
Reader’s Theatre is something I do with my classes at least once while reading a class novel. My classes range from 25 to 35 students depending on the level. Last year I taught 6 classes and my smallest class was 28. This year the biggest...
The ‘holidays’ can be one of the most exciting and uplifting times of year for some and utterly painful for others. Some of our colleagues and friends are going through health crises, others are grieving the loss of loved ones, and others are just plain...
We have had quite a devote following of racers and fans during our "12 days of Fluency" Amazing Christmas Race! The enthusiasm has overwhelmed us with the joy of giving, and it was so much fun, we decided to give one final gift! No racing,...
Today's Gift: A free class set (25) of any comprehension-based reader published by Fluency Matters (includes FREE SHIPPING!) This is a race! Only the first *3* people to finish the mission will claim the prize! Once you have cracked the code, put the selected Fluency Matters Reader in your cart,...
Today’s GiftS: A free class set of any comprehension-based reader published by Fluency Matters or Mira Canion (plus FREE SHIPPING) or Free Registration to the CI in the Mitten Conference....
Today’s Gift: 50% off Fluency Matters ‘Reader Teacher Packages’** (includes 1 reader, audio book and Teacher’s Guide) This is a race! Only the first 12 people to finish the mission will claim the prize!...
TWO PRIZE OPTIONS TODAY: Today’s Gift: Free registration to the iFLT 2018 conference in Cincinnati! This is a race! Only the first person to finish the mission will claim the prize! (ONE SINGLE WINNER!)...
Today’s Gift: A free class 5-month e-course subscription for the reader of your choice for up to 150 students. (limited to available titles) IMPORTANT NOTE TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE: You must check the box “Enable group registration” (above the quantity field)!...
The clues for the 12 Days of Fluency Amazing Christmas Race will post at the following time: 12:30 p.m. Pacific 1:30 p.m. Mountain 2:30 p.m. Central 3:30 p.m. Eastern Need ideas to occupy students with some type of CI during today's race? -- Independent reading, FVR, SSR or other independent reading --...
On the 8th Day of Fluency, Fluency Matters gave to me...
Today’s race has concluded! Congratulations to our winners! Today’s Gift: 100 credits towards Fluency Matters on-demand webinars This is a race! Only the first *6* people to finish the mission will claim the prize!...