World Languages

Explore and share tips, strategies, and resources for helping students develop in world languages.

Literacy
Starting a Heritage Language Book Club
A book club can help students who mainly use English but speak another language at home gain valuable literacy skills in the home language.
Project-Based Learning
Student-Centered World Language Classrooms
A district has overhauled instruction by focusing on project-based learning and communicative proficiency rather than grammar.
Student Engagement
Engaging Novice World Language Learners
Using target language videos, news articles, music, and more can spark engagement even with students who are just getting started.
Communication Skills
Socratic Seminars in World Language Classes
Six tips for using the powerful discussion model with students who are still acquiring the target language.
World Languages
The Benefits of Learning a Second Language
It’s a myth that learning a new language interferes with a child’s development.
Game-Based Learning
Gamifying Your World Language Classes
Online quiz programs weren’t designed for world language classes, so we have five tips for keeping students focused on the target language.
Global Education
Authentic Activities for the World Language Classroom
More than 30 exercises to keep your students engaged and learning.
Lesson Plans
Jump-Start Critical Thinking With an Aphorism
Using the figurative language in adages as a warm-up exercise to get your students thinking—in any class.
English-Language Learners
Do’s & Don’ts for Teaching English-Language Learners
In an excerpt from his book with fellow teacher Katie Hull Sypnieski, blogger Larry Ferlazzo looks at a few basic ways to reach students who are learning English as well as the subject at hand.
Global Education
In Language Classrooms, Students Should Be Talking
Language classes often don't focus on the aspect of learning a language that intrigues students most -- speaking it. We should get students talking more.