It's easy to instantly feel overwhelmed when thinking about our non-traditional upcoming school year. We are set to teach in extraordinary circumstances as we grapple with feelings of stress and anxiety about the future. Plans are up in the air, and everything remains uncertain.
First step: BREATHE! As I emphasized during our initial virtual instruction period, there is no one way to do this. The way in which each of us teaches in person or online largely depends on our particular group. Do what works for your specific students.
Next steps: BRAINSTORM, ORGANIZE, and PRIORITIZE. Before jumping ahead to planning lessons, units, and assessments, concentrate on how to get to know your students in a potentially hybrid or virtual format. This will be a challenge. However, making the effort to get to know your students is more important than ever before.
In order to do this, here is a sample activity I recently shared on Twitter that can be done the first week of school in a hybrid or virtual format. Students are to "Describe themselves in 10 images or less" using Google Slides. Each student creates a single slide featuring 10 images or less that represent them. Then, students can present their slides to one another in the target language (if able), or with some provided phrases/sentence starters in the target language for beginners. As always, this task can be scaffolded and altered according to the level. Students with some language abilities can also view their partners' slides and engage in a Q&A exchange based on the images. For example, upon seeing that my partner has a picture of a dog on his/her slide, I can ask, "Do you have a dog? What's his or her name?" Although this is a simple, quick activity, it can successfully allow students to express themselves and get to know each other, all while focusing on the target language. As the teacher, create your own slide as a model. Provide key vocabulary for your beginner-level students. See the images below for a sample!
Additionally, consider building community and bonding with your students by leading some mindfulness activities in the target language during the first week of school. In this post via Wayside Publishing, I share some of my ideas here: blog.waysidepublishing.com/mindfulness-exercises-in-the-target-language/
As you start designing lessons, create tasks that focus on the modes of communication, to get students reading, speaking, writing, and listening in the target language from the start. Read this article I wrote with specific examples on teaching a world language virtually: https://www.smartbrief.com/original/2020/07/teaching-world-languages-virtual-classroom
Moreover, you might be teaching in a half online, half-hybrid format. Here are some fun, culturally relevant ideas that can be adapted to either setting: www.edutopia.org/article/prepping-teach-world-language-classes-either-online-or-person
Lastly, if you're thinking about a tech tool you would like to explore prior to the start of the year, refer to this article about my go-to tech tools in world language classes: www.edutopia.org/article/6-top-tech-tools-world-language-classes
Overall, as we embark on this rocky road that we never could have imagined as our "Back to School," above all, prioritize self-care. We are all navigating this unknown territory together. You don't need to figure it out all at once! Take it as it comes. I will be posting more resources and ideas as time progresses. A few more articles and blog posts will become available via Edutopia and Wayside Publishing in the coming weeks, focused on teaching world languages in a hybrid/virtual format and on how to start the year creatively. I will post those links when they are available. Until then, stay tuned and soak up the rest of your summer!
Sending you sunshine,
Elena
First step: BREATHE! As I emphasized during our initial virtual instruction period, there is no one way to do this. The way in which each of us teaches in person or online largely depends on our particular group. Do what works for your specific students.
Next steps: BRAINSTORM, ORGANIZE, and PRIORITIZE. Before jumping ahead to planning lessons, units, and assessments, concentrate on how to get to know your students in a potentially hybrid or virtual format. This will be a challenge. However, making the effort to get to know your students is more important than ever before.
In order to do this, here is a sample activity I recently shared on Twitter that can be done the first week of school in a hybrid or virtual format. Students are to "Describe themselves in 10 images or less" using Google Slides. Each student creates a single slide featuring 10 images or less that represent them. Then, students can present their slides to one another in the target language (if able), or with some provided phrases/sentence starters in the target language for beginners. As always, this task can be scaffolded and altered according to the level. Students with some language abilities can also view their partners' slides and engage in a Q&A exchange based on the images. For example, upon seeing that my partner has a picture of a dog on his/her slide, I can ask, "Do you have a dog? What's his or her name?" Although this is a simple, quick activity, it can successfully allow students to express themselves and get to know each other, all while focusing on the target language. As the teacher, create your own slide as a model. Provide key vocabulary for your beginner-level students. See the images below for a sample!
Additionally, consider building community and bonding with your students by leading some mindfulness activities in the target language during the first week of school. In this post via Wayside Publishing, I share some of my ideas here: blog.waysidepublishing.com/mindfulness-exercises-in-the-target-language/
As you start designing lessons, create tasks that focus on the modes of communication, to get students reading, speaking, writing, and listening in the target language from the start. Read this article I wrote with specific examples on teaching a world language virtually: https://www.smartbrief.com/original/2020/07/teaching-world-languages-virtual-classroom
Moreover, you might be teaching in a half online, half-hybrid format. Here are some fun, culturally relevant ideas that can be adapted to either setting: www.edutopia.org/article/prepping-teach-world-language-classes-either-online-or-person
Lastly, if you're thinking about a tech tool you would like to explore prior to the start of the year, refer to this article about my go-to tech tools in world language classes: www.edutopia.org/article/6-top-tech-tools-world-language-classes
Overall, as we embark on this rocky road that we never could have imagined as our "Back to School," above all, prioritize self-care. We are all navigating this unknown territory together. You don't need to figure it out all at once! Take it as it comes. I will be posting more resources and ideas as time progresses. A few more articles and blog posts will become available via Edutopia and Wayside Publishing in the coming weeks, focused on teaching world languages in a hybrid/virtual format and on how to start the year creatively. I will post those links when they are available. Until then, stay tuned and soak up the rest of your summer!
Sending you sunshine,
Elena