#219

You just wrapped up a fun, high-energy activity. The room was buzzing, students were laughing and moving, but now you’re wondering: Did they actually use the language? In this episode, we’re unpacking what makes an activity not just fun, but truly communicative. You’ll learn how to spot the difference, adapt your favorite games, and keep language use at the center, without losing the fun and joy.

Topics in this Episode:

• Here’s the lens I want to offer you in this episode: Just because students are participating doesn’t mean they’re communicating. With just a few tweaks, your fun activities can become communicative and support proficiency and performance objectives.
• We don’t have to throw out our favorite games or routines. We don’t need to make everything serious or structured. But, we do need to look at each activity through a new lens: Does it give students a reason to use the language with purpose?
• Classroom Strategies:
  • Add Purpose and Personalization
  • Use the “Does It Build Proficiency?” Checklist: 1. Are students using the target language to express meaning?2.Is there a real-world connection or purpose? 3. Are students interpreting, negotiating, or producing language? 4.Will this support what they’ll do on an upcoming assessment?
• Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: Design Activities that are Fun and Communicative

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

• Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual Teachers
• On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language Departments
• Self-Paced Program for For Language Departments

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

• Website: wlclassrom.com
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook Group: World Language Classroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• LinkedIn: Joshua Cabral
• Bluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.socia
• X (Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.