Episode 155: What Happened When I Taught My Students About Language Acquisition and Proficiency

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What happens when students expect grammar charts, parents want vocabulary lists, and administrators walk in asking, “Why are YOU doing all the talking?” If you’ve felt that tension, this episode is for you.

In this final episode of the Back to School Series, I share the exact lesson I use in the first week of school that changed a lot for me—how I shifted from feeling questioned and defensive to confidently leading my students, parents, and administrators through the “why” of how we teach languages today.

You'll hear how teaching students about language acquisition and ACTFL proficiency empowers them to engage with purpose, builds trust in your classroom, and lays the foundation for meaningful grading conversations all year long.

In This Episode:

• Why world language class is not like math or biology—and why that matters
• How I introduce language acquisition
• Why educating parents and administrators is key
• Why teaching our students about proficiency will help our students to ask better questions for assessments.
• Why this one lesson created more buy-in, better behavior, and stronger relationships in my class

🧰 Resources + Links from the Episode:

📝 Mini Lesson: How Do We Acquire Language?
 👉 Available on TpT

🎯 GWP The Spanish Teacher Academy 👉 Join the Spanish Teacher Academy

🎧 Ep. 78 – w/ Pablo Martinez
 👉 Listen now

🎧 Ep. 131 – ACTFL Proficiency Descriptors w/ Maris Hawkins
 👉 Listen now

📚 Ohio State Study: The Power of Reading Daily
 👉 Read the article

🎁 Want to Start the Year Strong with Everything You Need?

If you're a Spanish teacher ready for:

• Tailored PD for proficiency-based instruction
• Monthly planning support and fresh resources
• A full-year curriculum (Creciendo) that’s comprehensible and compelling
• Panoramas culturales with audio recorded by native speakers
• A thriving teacher community that gets it...

Then the Spanish Teacher Academy is for you! 🎉

👉 Join today at growingwithproficiency.com/academy

🎒 School paying? We accept POs!
 📩 Questions? Email: [e-mail]

❤️ Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram → @claudiamelliott
Podcast archive + blog → growingwithproficiency.com

🎧 Thank you for listening! If this episode inspired you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. Here’s to a joyful, sustainable, and meaningful year!