Practical Proficiency Network Review

Practical Proficiency Network Review

This is by far my longest post yet but that is because I link to SO much helpful information that I wanted all in one place. So please enjoy this deep dive into Proficiency...

My Review of PPN

After attending the Practical & Comprehensible Conference (read my take-aways here) I won a 2 week free trial to the Practical Proficiency Network. And as as a homeschool mom raising bilingual daughters I did a survey of the PPN (watched around 18 hour-long classes, out of the 100+ available, and went over the powerpoint/handouts for most of the rest). I was expecting it to just apply to classroom teachers but a lot more of it was relevant to me than I thought. I found the teaching both helpful and encouraging. For me, the best part of the PPN was the Teacher Treasure Chest with lots of FREE resources for both French & Spanish. 

Conclusion: If I was a World Language Classroom teacher I would 100% do the PPN! However my recommendation for homeschoolers is to make use of La Libre Language Learning's FREE materials instead of the paid PPN subscription (and support her by purchasing a resource from her TPT store). 

Since the best way to master a new concept is to teach others, I want to share some of my favorite insights about teaching with a proficiency mindset. And as much as I can, I'll link to La Libre's FREE material so you can find more information.

What is PROFICIENCY?

* Proficiency: fancy way of saying that class is the communicative event

10 Elements of a Proficiency-Oriented World Language Classroom

The Path to More Target Language Use for World Language Teachers

Myth: Key to language progress is consistent practice. 

Truth: Key to language progress is input. Period. The role of practice is to solidify input and help transfer it from short to long-term memory

World Language Teacher Expert Panelists on 90% Target Language Strategies

*  720 hours of exposure is necessary for adults to achieve 2nd language fluency; hence the need for LOTS of comprehensible input

How to Teach Middle School World Language

How to Teach High School World Language

Traditional: Give game instructions in English because its faster

Proficiency: Give instructions in French because it's a meaningful opportunity to use French, which is actually the best use of your time!

What is CI Teaching: A Comparison of Key Terms & Differences in Proficiency & Legacy Instruction

Don't correct all mistakes because every mistake isn’t equal; certain types of errors line up with certain proficiency levels

What about GRAMMAR?

“Grammar is an important element of communication, but research shows that explicit teaching of grammar has little effect on people’s language acquisition, comprehension, or writing abilities.” ACTFL Guiding Principles (emphasis mine)

* Inductive Grammar: Present several sentences and students come up with the grammar rule (ie. self-discovery)!

* Pop-Up Grammar: teach short grammar lessons in context when relevant

* Grammar Boot Camp: do 2-3 weeks of traditional grammar focus when necessary

The Role of French Grammar in Second Language Acquisition

How to be PRACTICAL

* Choose 1-3 activities you love and use them all the time 

10 Games and Speaking Activities for World Language to Get Students Talking

5 Keys for Excellent French Culture Lessons

10 Easy French Songs for Beginners 

Top 10 Resources to Be a Better World Language Teacher Tomorrow

* Know the ACTFL Proficiency Levels and use them to assess student's progress

Can Do Statements & ACFTL Tools for World Language Teachers

* Prioritize High Frequency Verbs/Vocabulary ie. Super 7 & Sweet 16

French High Frequency Verbs

* Golden Rule: any time you do input-heavy activity, tack on simple output activity to reinforce & consolidate acquisition

* Use each new vocab word 3 different ways & must have a visual (only do 10-15 words/session for 20 minutes max)

* Reading helps students acquire new vocab 90% faster than simple instruction

Ways to Use CI Novels in World Language: My Favorite Comprehension Input Readers

* Asking questions is one of the least-work but jam-packed ways to both deliver quality input and direct interaction

* Try co-creating a resource with students so they’re part of learning process

* Put a timer on your research/resource searching so you can only spend so much time on it and then your goal is to actually use it 

* Positive Psychology & The Happiness Advantage: be realistic about the present while maximizing potential for future

World Language Teaching BASICS

3 Modes of Communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal & Presentational

4 Strands: Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing

My NEXT STEP

* Maximize Comprehensible Input by continuing to use more FRENCH DAILY with my daughters!

How to Teach Elementary World Language

My Favorite PAID Resources from La Libre Language Learning

 

 

My Favorite FREE Resources