Episode 72: Making Our Classroom Communication Driven - The Third Pillar of a Successful Language Classroom

Welcome to the final episode of our special 3-part series on the 3 Pillars of a Successful Language Classroom!

In this episode, we wrap up with a topic that's close to my heart - communication.

• We've chatted about building connections and making target language comprehensible in previous episodes. Now, we're diving into communication, the trickiest but most rewarding part of language teaching.
• We'll chat about why communication is so central in our language classes and what it really means to have a communicative classroom.

Key Discussions:

• The Crucial Role of Communication in Language Learning
• Unpacking why communication stands at the heart of language education. Definite communicating and diving into varied perspectives from renowned educators like Dr. Bill Van Patten and insights from "Common Grounds" by Dr. Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins.
• The Challenges of Centering Classes Around Communication.  Addressing common hurdles and misconceptions in shifting towards a communication-focused approach.
• Strategies for Fostering Communication. Practical tips, classroom activities, and a different approach to our content to make communication at the center of our classes.

Join and Explore:

• Become a member of Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy
• Visit the Growing With Proficiency Blog for more insights and strategies.
• Find ready-to-use resources at Growing With Proficiency Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Resources Mentioned:

• "Common Grounds" by Dr. Florencia Henshaw and Maris Hawkins
• "While We’re On The Topic" – A comprehensive guide for language teachers
• Dr. Stephen Krashen's insightful resources

Recap of our journey through the 3 Pillars:

Episode 68: Building Connections

Episode 71: Facilitating Target Language Comprehensibility

Listen now for a deep dive into the last but not the less important element for a successful language classroom: communication. Happy listening, and let's keep growing together!