Foreign Language Acquisition
Le Beret Magique: Using the Target Language in French Class
Most language teachers would agree that it is important to use the target language in class as much as possible. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) recommends that at least 90% of classtime be conducted in the language. In the past, I’ve used a sign that says “anglais” on one side [...]
Unconscious Learning and Acquisition in a Foreign Language: French Lullabies
I was recently reviewing some workshop presentation notes on brain-based learning. One of the principles is that learning is both conscious and unconscious. Okay, makes sense. I’ve got my actual lesson and objectives, but I also have this “French-only” environment that my students are immersed in. Sure, they learn the language tasks presented in the [...]
Guide to Middle School Foreign Language Activities: Games in French, Spanish, German, ESL and More!
// Ta-da! Presenting . . . our very first Foreign Language House book– Middle School Madness: Cooking up Foreign Language Games. It contains over 50 fun and easy to use language learning games that are effective for French, Spanish, German, Chinese, ESL, and more. My amiga, Catherine, and I have been busy preparing workshops [...]
Use of Target Language: Immersion Techniques
I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on my core beliefs as a language teacher. I’m back at grad school, extending my teaching certification to K-12. I’ve come to realize that I have the crucial responsibility of creating a mini-immersion setting in my classroom for the 50 minutes I see my students each day. Every minute [...]
What Foreign Language do You Want Your Child to Learn?
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am a HUGE believer in introducing kids to foreign languages. Any language is fine by me (although I have a bit of a personal bias for my true love–French!) I would be tickled pink if my kids’ school district offered early language [...]
Should We Teach American Children Esperanto?
I came across an idea about introducing Esperanto as a foreign language subject in American schools a couple of weeks ago on the social action network, Change.org. According to the web site, “The Ideas for Change in America competition was created in response to Barack Obama’s call for increased citizen involvement in government.” The top [...]
Introduce Your Child to a Foreign Language! Here’s One Reason Why.
As a career language teacher, I have read all sorts of research that strongly supports introducing children to foreign languages. Now that my oldest child has officially entered our local public school system, I’m collecting research and study results to pass along to the school board. Yes, I’ll probably be a pest. I desperately want [...]
Natural Foreign Language Acquisition and the Yellow Car Game
“Slug Bug Yellow! Slug Bug Red! Slug Bug Blue!” Remember the classic VW Bug excuse for socking your brother or sister in the arm during long car rides? Well, my boys have invented their own original way to argue in the car. They call it the Yellow Car Game. Both of my boys’ favorite [...]
Kids Are Sponges: Natural Foreign Language Acquisition in Children
While playing at the park this evening, my five year old surprised me by spontaneously counting the numbers 15-19 in French: quinze, seize, dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf! He’s had the numbers 1-10 mastered for quite some time. Since I always seem to be teaching him along with other children who are French newbies, he hears those [...]
