What is FM-iFLT?
Fluency Matters International Forum on Language Teaching is a grassroots group inspired by a cadre of passionate language educators who wanted to create a gathering of like-minded language educators to further the field of acquisition-driven language instruction (ADI).
Key influencers include:
• Dr. Stephen Krashen, creator of the Comprehension (or Input) Hypothesis and numerous other theories that have helped to shape contemporary views on language acquisition
• Diana Noonan, Denver Public Schools Supervisor of World Language and innovator of the ‘Language Labs’, a key part of FM-iFLT and one that makes this language conference stand out from all the others
• A host of other educators dedicated to ADI/CCLT (Comprehension-based Communicative Language Teaching), including Jason Fritze, Leslie Davison, Karen Rowan, Teri Wiechart, Carol Gaab, CA COACH initiative members and many others.
With Herculean effort, the inaugural conference was launched in 2010. Because of the tremendous amount of resources (time, financial backing, administrative and organizational staff) a conference of this magnitude requires, iFLT was turned over to Fluency Matters in 2013. Since its inception, the conference has gained the respect and support from language educators around the world, so it’s only logical that other conference organizers would try to replicate it. FM-iFLT continues to base its goals and ideals on the original iFLT and relies on the collaboration of its founders, in addition to numerous other professionals who are unwaveringly dedicated equitable acquisition-driven instruction.
Being able to communicate in another language is a life-long benefit that should be available to ALL learners, regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status or GPA. FM-iFLT is dedicated to helping teachers align their instructional approach(es) with the principles of SLA (second language acquisition) so they in turn, can help ALL learners develop proficiency in another language. FLUENCY MATTERS!
Unrivaled 3-step Training
- Train with the nation’s top SLA focused trainers. Improve your skills and practice ADI-based strategies in a personalized cohort format with experienced, highly-trained coaches.
- Observe SLA informed strategies in action as you observe live language classes with real students, grades 3-12, taught by seasoned, internationally recognized language facilitators.
- Attend your choice of ADI sessions from a variety of perspectives from highly experienced ADI practitioners.
The unique cohort-style training provides customized training in an intimate setting, regardless of your experience or skill in ADI.
What to Expect
Differentiated Training: Beginning, Advanced Beginning, Intermediate and Experienced Cohorts
Language Labs: Observe live language classes taught by master ADI teachers.
Presentations: Many topics and techniques shared by internationally known ADI experts.
Coaching and Collaboration Rooms: Open rooms for planning, discussing, collaborating and/or brainstorming led by the highly trained and experienced ADI Coaching Team Members.
Lunch-time Talks: 5-minute talks designed to share golden nuggets of wisdom, inspirational messages, and/or powerful strategies. Information about proposing a Lunch Time Talk will be included in the Conference Registration Confirmation email.
Navigating Virtual iFLT: You will receive a link and exclusive log-in credentials to the conference platform URL. Once you are logged into the site, you will be able to preview the schedule and read session descriptions. At the time of each session, you simply click JOIN from the same schedule page. Once the session has been presented, recorded and posted, you’ll find another button under the description that will link to the recording.
Our Conference Trainers, Presenters and Lab Teachers
iFLT is comprised of more than 50 trainers and coaches who are highly skilled in acquisition-driven instruction. All have years of experience teaching in acquisition-centered classrooms, and all are seasoned trainers with long track records of training and coaching success.
There’s no doubt– You will be learning from some of the best coaches, teachers, and presenters from around the world!
Our Coaching Team
Coaching moves participants from theory to practice. Practice CI-based strategies in small groups with highly trained and experienced coaches.
- Process techniques and ask questions.
- Apply new skills and refine existing skills in a non-threatening, nonjudgmental environment.
- Inform your own practice by observing others during the coaching process.
Interactive Virtual Learning Experience focusing on:
- Music: Learn common phrases through music.
- Stories: Create and hear a variety of interesting stories.
- Videos: Interact in the language through video-based content.
- Conversation: Naturally pick up useful phrases through authentic and relevant conversations.
- Reading: Level-appropriate readings strategically written with students’ needs and interests in mind.
Language Camp Information Language Camp Brochure
IFLT Conference FAQs
If you have questions before or after you register the answers might be here. These are the most frequently asked questions about the iFLT conference. Of course if you don’t find the answer here please feel free to EMAIL US.
For a free Q&A pre-recorded webinar with several of the iFLT cohort leaders, click here!
University Credit Options
Not only is the iFLT conference a great opportunity for you to improve your teaching skills and become an even better Foreign Language Ambassador, you can also gain university credit. Semester hours from University of the Pacific, Center for Professional and Continuing Education are available for attending the iFLT conference.
If you are not eligible to submit a proposal in 2021, we highly encourage you to give a Lunch Time Talk.
Many iFLT LunchTime Talkers have gone on to become presenters!
Attendees Interested in Presenting
Attendees who would like to present must meet the following requirements:
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- Potential presenters must have previously attended iFLT.
- Session topic must focus on acquisition, communicative comprehension-based language instruction, CI-friendly strategies/approaches, classroom management in the language classroom, etc.
- Proposal must be aligned with the principles of language acquisition, using appropriate terminology and based on best practices.
NOTE: All proposals are due FEBRUARY 15, 2021. Once you have received notification of acceptance of your proposal, you must complete your registration for the conference no later than APRIL 1, 2021, before your session will be slotted in the final schedule.
Special consideration will be given to attendees who:
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- Have previously presented this or another session at a local, state, regional or national conference.
- Have successfully implement ADI in your classroom for at least 2 years.
- Have presented a Lunchtime Talk at a previous iFLT
- Have a successful track record in the classroom