Send us a text

In this episode of Growing With Proficiency, The Podcast, we’re diving into the essentials of comprehensible input (CI) for intermediate and upper-level Spanish learners. Teaching these levels can feel overwhelming when expectations are high, proficiency levels vary, and the curriculum demands keep piling up! But, as always, no estamos solos – we’re in this together!

In this first part of our three-part series on CI in the upper levels, I’m tackling two major challenges:

• Realistic Expectations: Language acquisition takes time, and today we’re talking about what it means to set achievable goals based on ACTFL guidelines, focusing on how much exposure our students realistically get.
• Scaffolding for Mixed Levels: In any upper-level class, student proficiency can vary widely. We’ll look at strategies to scaffold input and make CI accessible to everyone, from novice-high to intermediate-mid students.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll discuss the impact of curriculum overload and the challenges of messy student output. Plus, in our upcoming Spanish episode, we’ll be joined by a special guest to talk about CI strategies for AP classes!

I’d love to hear your questions for Part 3 of this series. Email me at claudia@growingwithproficiency.com or message me on Instagram at @claudiamelliott or in our free Facebook group, Growing with CI.

Mentioned Links:

• Leyendas Reading Resource: growingwithproficiency.com/leyendas
• Mascotas Reading Resource: growingwithproficiency.com/mascotas
• Panorama Cultural (TPT Store): Search Claudia Elliott Growing With Proficiency or visit my TPT store for cultural resources perfect for your Spanish class.
• ACTFL Performance Descriptors: Check the ACTFL guidelines for deeper insights on language acquisition timing and expectations.
• GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List
• Growing With CI FB Community
• Blog

Send us a text

After nine weeks of school, we all know our students are starting to feel tired, and listening just isn’t going as smoothly as it used to. But we also know how crucial listening is for language acquisition. That’s why I’m re-releasing one of our most popular episodes from Growing With Proficiency, The Podcast—Episode 5!

In this episode, I share five simple, yet powerful strategies to help get your students engaged and listening. This is one you’ll want to listen to more than once because these strategies are not only easy to implement, but they work wonders in the classroom. Tune in and get ready to refresh your approach!

📍 Links:

• Freebie - Legends!
• Freebie - Mascotas
• GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List
• Growing With CI FB Community
• Blog
• Teacher Pay Teachers Store

Send us a text

In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I sit down with the amazing AnneMarie Chase to talk about a topic that we can't avoid as educators—assessments! Together, we dive deep into the concept of low-stress assessments and how to shift the focus away from simply measuring language accuracy to building language proficiency in meaningful, stress-free ways.

We discuss:

• Four key elements of a good assessment: ease for the teacher, sneaky ways to provide more input, low stress for students, and allowing every student to succeed in some way.
• The importance of mindset shifts when it comes to assessments, including using them as learning opportunities for students, rather than "gotcha" moments.
• Anmar’s brilliant “magic cards” method for assessing speaking and other skills throughout the school day without the traditional pressure of formal tests.
• How assessments can serve as a great class practice activity where students engage with listening and reading tasks in a highly focused way, allowing us to truly see what they can do.
• How we can assess speaking in a way that is fun for students and teachers.

Plus, we talk about making the assessment process manageable for teachers, sharing tips for getting grading done in class so you're not drowning in paperwork after hours.

Tune in and get ready to make assessing your students a more productive, low-stress, and even enjoyable part of your teaching practice. Nos vemos pronto, chao!

📍 Links Mentioned:

• AnnaMarie Chase's Blog
• Assessment training
• Edutopia article: What does research say about testing?
• Back to School Bundle for Spanish Classes
• GWP Spanish Teacher Academy Waiting List
• Growing With CI FB Community
• Blog
• Teacher Pay Teachers Store