Teaching & Learning Languages in the United States (TELL-US) podcast series logo

    TELL-US podcast series: Designing and Delivering Proficiency-Focused Target-Language Input (2023)

    • November 13-21, 2023
    • Project Lead(s): Naiyi Xie Fincham
    • Facilitator(s): Nicole Naditz

    The NFLRC is pleased to announce our new Teaching and Learning Languages in the United States (TELL-US) podcast series. This professional learning series aims to examine language teaching and learning in the U.S. from the perspective of “non-insiders” (i.e., teachers who have had to adapt to the culture of teaching and learning languages in the U.S., having come from a different cultural context). Focusing on two broad categories – language pedagogy and school culture, the goal for this program is to create a professional learning resource for novice LCTL teachers who find themselves teaching in a similar situation. Although the podcasts will focus primarily on the LCTL teacher population, they can also be a valuable resource for any other teachers whose educational formation has taken place outside the U.S. Similarly, the episodes may also provide insights for ELL teachers whose students or students’ parents identify with the cultures of the teachers invited to the show or be helpful to preservice teachers learning the essential tenets of modern world language education in the U.S.

    Our 2023 offering centers on the topic of Designing and Delivering Proficiency-Focused Target-Language Input.

    All interviews are hosted by Nicole Naditz (2015 ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year), either live or asynchronously. The NFLRC contributed its expertise in instructional design and technology and provided logistical support. 

    Guests for the podcast series include LCTL teachers who have been recognized as successful teachers by their peers, institution, or professional organization. These podcasts provide a unique professional learning resource based on lively conversations with these experienced LCTL professionals who were first educated in the language and culture they teach and who later came to the U.S. and became successful language teachers of their native language. 

    Resources and references for each podcast interview can be found below as applicable. Enjoy!

    The entire podcast playlist can be accessed from our NFLRC Soundcloud channel.

    Episodes

     

    Episode 1: Understanding the American system of education and language education, part 1

    Available November 13, 2023

    Asynchronous interviews with Ahmed Hanafy, Cécile Nedellec, Ying Jin, and Yo Azama

    Episode 1 resources

    Episode 2: Understanding the American system of education and language education, part 2

    Available November 14, 2023

    Asynchronous interviews with Ahmed Hanafy, Cécile Nedellec, Ying Jin, and Yo Azama

    Episode 2 resources

    *see note below

    Episode 3: What is proficiency (proficiency vs. performance)?

    Available November 15, 2023

    Live interview with Paul Sandrock and Laura Terrill

    Episode 3 resources

    Episode 4: Language targets, Can Do statements

    Available November 16, 2023

    Live interview with Meredith White and Rebecca Blouwolff

    Episode 4 resources

    Episode 5: Content- and culture-rich target language input that meets and is responsive to the needs of learners

    Available November 17, 2023

    Asynchronous interview with Leslie Grahn and Amy Lenord

    Episode 5 resources

    Episode 6: Synthesis, part 1

    Available November 20, 2023

    Live interview with Heather Sweetser

    Episode 6 resources

    Episode 7: Synthesis, part 2

    Available November 21, 2023

    Live interview with Heather Sweetser

    Episode 7 resources

    Resources

    For Episode 1
    • None
    For Episode 2

    *Note: We discovered some unexpected technical glitches had occurred during some of the interview recording in this episode, which resulted in crackly or sped-up audio in a couple places. We apologize for the lesser quality of the audio in these segments.

    For Episode 3
    For Episode 4
    For Episode 5
    • None
    For Episodes 6-7