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Growing With Proficiency The Podcast
Welcome to Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast! Are you a World Language teacher who is looking for ideas, strategies, activities, and inspiration to create a World Language class where you and your students enjoy using the language to learn about the world and each other? Do you want to transform your class into an acquisition-driven instruction space where you intentionally provide a ton of comprehensible input?
If you are, you're in the right place.
Let's start this journey together. Head over to IG, and send me a DM @claudiamelliott to let me know what topics you would like me to cover in an upcoming episode.Join my free Facebook community, Growing With C. Also, check out my blog to start discovering some of these ideas and strategies at growingwithproficiency.com
Episodes
193 episodes
Re-Release Episode 130 — Rediscovering Joy and Authenticity in the Language Classroom: Practical Steps to Engage and Inspire
Have you ever felt disconnected from your passion for teaching — like you’re doing all the things but nothing seems to spark joy anymore? You’re not alone. In this re-released episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Pod...
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55:24
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Episode 171: Boost Comprehension and Engagement With ClipChat: A Guide for Language Teachers with Amy Marshall
If you’ve ever found yourself searching for an activity that is engaging, meaningful, and actually supports language acquisition, this episode is for you. Many of us want our students to feel confident understanding and...
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47:56
Re-released Episodio 3 En español: Tres cambios que transformaron mi clase de español
En este episodio, comparto uno de mis episodios favoritos en español sobre tres cambios fundamentales que transformaron mi clase y renovaron mi motivación como docente. Estos cambios surgieron a lo largo de 15 años en el aula y resp...
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28:23
Episode 170: How Do We Support Neurodivergent Learners in the World Language Classroom? Designing Inclusive Classrooms
A conversation with Wesley WoodWhat happens when we stop planning for the “average” learner and instead design our classrooms with neurodivergent students and students with disabilities in mind? In this episode of ...
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1:00:33
Episode 169: How to Use Songs in the World Language Classroom (and Make Them Comprehensible) with Kara Jacobs
Every world language teacher knows the power of music — but how do we move beyond karaoke Fridays and make songs truly comprehensible and meaningful for our learners? 🎵In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: Th...
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41:57
Episode 10 Re-Release: Games That Get Students Talking with Christina Margiore
There’s never a bad time of the year for a good game. Whether it’s November, May, or that wild week before a break — a well-chosen game can transform your classroom energy and boost your students’ confidence to use Spanish.In th...
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40:34
Re-Release Episode 89: Discover 5 Games to Boost Engagement & Community in Your World Language Class with Profe Valentina and Carolina Gómez
Are you searching for low-prep games perfect for this busy time of year? Look no further! In this episode, join us as we welcome two incredible educators from Colombia, Profe Valentina and Carolina Gómez. They're here to share five engaging, lo...
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53:02
Episode 168: How Can Task-Based Language Teaching Engage Students in Authentic Communication With Purpose? A conversation with Dr. Claudia Fernández
Have you ever noticed that some students struggle to see their progress in an acquisition-driven classroom?When your lessons focus on comprehensible input and communication, progress can feel invisible to students ...
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1:05:08
Episode 167: Rethinking Intermediate Classes with Comprehensible Input: A Conversation with Gary DiBianca
Does comprehensible input still matter at the intermediate level? Absolutely. In this conversation with Gary DiBianca, he shares how he “levels up” intermediate classes by centering CI, intentionally modeling structures students c...
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54:20
Episodio 166: Cómo Enseñar a Estudiantes de Herencia: Estrategias, Rutinas y Pilares para el Aula de Español
En este episodio en español de Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, converso con la Dra. Marta Silva sobre un tema esencial para profes de español: cómo enseñar a estudiantes de herencia. Exploramos la diferencia entre ...
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1:02:24
Re-Release of Episode 20: Class Jobs: Building Community, Boosting Engagement, and Saving Your Sanity
Why am I re-releasing this episode? Because after a few weeks back in the classroom, I felt it again — that weight of doing everything myself: picking up pencils, erasing the board, answering endless “what did I miss?” emails. And I re...
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47:31
Episode 165: Listening to Silence: How to Use It to Understand and Engage Your Students in the Language Classroom
Silence in the language classroom doesn’t mean students aren’t saying anything. Silence is information. In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, we explore why silence can be a valuable source of information a...
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39:06
Episode 164: Are We Listening? Rethinking Accents, Comprehensibility, and Communication in Our Classrooms and Communities
Are errors or strong accents really blocking communication—or is it about how we listen? 🎧In this episode, I share why comments about my accent made me reflect on how we approach communication in our classrooms and in our teacher communi...
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28:00
Episode 163: Silent Discussions: A Simple Strategy to Boost Interpersonal Communication in Your Language Classes
Have you ever felt like getting your students to really use the target language with each other is the hardest thing? You want them to share ideas, agree or disagree, and ask questions. But when the moment comes, silence takes over—or worse, th...
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55:00
Episode 162: Students Didn’t Meet Expectations? Why That’s Not the Real Problem
As teachers, we’ve all been there—you’ve planned the lesson, you’ve given directions, and then… your students just don’t meet the expectations. Blank stares, missing homework, silence after a question. 😩But here’s the thing: maybe unmet ...
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31:16
Episodio 161: Momentos Auténticos Para Fomentar Interacciones en Español en Clase
Seguro te ha pasado: das tu clase en español con toda la energía, pero hay un silencio total. Esa desconexión cansa y desmotiva, porque lo que más deseamos como profes es escuchar a nuestros estudiantes usar el español de manera autént...
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29:34
Episode 160: Routines That Stick: Save Time, Reduce Stress, and Maximize Target Language Use
Save time, reduce stress, and maximize target language use—because that’s how you create a sustainable school year, profe. 🌟In this episode, we’re diving into routines: those small but powerful structures that keep your class running smo...
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40:31
Episode 159: How to Transform Open House Into a Trust-Building Moment
Open House isn’t just about sharing rules—it’s your chance to build trust with parents, spark curiosity, and show them how their students can thrive in your class. In this episode, Claudia walks you through her 7–8 minute Open House...
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18:24
Episode 158: How to Boost Target Language Use with Routines, Play, and Student Connections
In this episode of Growing With Proficiency, I’m joined by my friends and fellow educators Annabelle Williamson (La Maestra Loca) and Elissa McLean to share our biggest takeaways from Conference in the Cloud<...
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25:24
Episode 157: What Does It Really Mean to Teach for Acquisition? 3 Key Skills Every Language Teacher Needs
How do we move from teaching about a language to using it to communicate—authentically, meaningfully, and joyfully?In this special live episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I sit down with two powerhouses i...
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46:09
Episode 156: Planning With Purpose — A Conversation with Dr. Diane Neubauer & Dr. Reed Riggs
Planning for acquisition isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Diane Neubauer and Dr. Reed Riggs for one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had about lesson planning in the world ...
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1:04:18
Episode 155: What Happened When I Taught My Students About Language Acquisition and Proficiency
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
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29:39
Episode 154: What to Prioritize the First Week of School-Back to School Series
The first week of school can feel like a whirlwind—there’s excitement, anticipation, and let’s be honest… pressure. What should you do first? What’s most important? And how can you make sure you’re setting up your students (and yourself!) for a...
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35:23
Episode 153: Back To School Series: Planning a Sustainable Year in the World Language Classroom: Five Steps for Success
Planning for a new school year can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to create a class centered on communication and proficiency, not grammar features. In this episode, I walk you through five intentional steps to help you map ou...
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30:36
Episodio 152: 5 claves para comenzar el año escolar con claridad, conexión y sostenibilidad
¿Tienes todo listo para un nuevo año escolar que no solo funcione, sino que se sienta bien? En este episodio te comparto las 5 claves esenciales para un regreso a clases intencional, humano y sostenible en tu clase de español.En v...
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50:20