NYSAFLT Annual Conference 2024

Join us for a session focused on the vital intersection of authentic resources and task differentiation, where we'll delve into the power of cultural resources in language learning. Explore practical strategies for constructing bridges that foster cultural connections for students, by diversifying how students engage with meaningful and relevant authentic materials like videos, news articles, and songs. These bridges serve as conduits, facilitating meaningful connections between students and new languages and cultures. Instead of altering content, we'll focus on adjusting tasks to suit diverse learning styles and needs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance language learning experiences together!

The presenter will explain what the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons is and how it is played. He will discuss how this has been beneficial for his students in language acquisition and language production. He will address character creation and provide participants with character sheets in either German, French, Italian or Spanish. Tips for starting and important lessons learned will also be shared. Each guest at this presentation will receive a small gift to get them started on their own World Language DnD game!"

This session reports on one professor’s experience taking beginning and intermediate Spanish classes at the college-level. Sitting among the students provided a unique perspective to reflect on student learning, language acquisition, and language instruction. Instead of blaming students for not studying, we discuss the issues found among most freshmen and ways to help them. Delving into Second Language Acquisition theories, we examine the advantages and limitations of explicit grammar instruction. Finally, we offer concrete suggestions for language teachers at all levels to incorporate four strands (Nation, 2012) in their classroom: comprehensible input, comprehensible output, deliberate language study, and fluency development.

All too often, attempts to share a success or to influence other teachers—whether about a specific strategy or a proficiency-oriented approach to teaching and learning languages—fall flat or, worse, actually discourage or alienate. Geared especially toward teachers who train or mentor others, who share practices in person or online, or whose colleagues have disparate philosophies, this session will help you build trust, communicate clearly, and make an ongoing positive impact. We will cover general guidelines for successful communication as well as credible and encouraging ways to share learners’ successes, research-informed principles, and proficiency-promoting practices.