As soon as this school year is over, you will probably want simply to rest.
There may also be training opportunities that you have put off this year because you were trying just to stay afloat, or training you hope to get before taking on the next year. There are several impressive and worthwhile opportunities for such training this summer.
In this post, I want to recommend five specific online summer courses and conferences I’m involved with—and, where applicable, share discounts! All of these thoughtfully take into account the difficulties of trying to connect and learn in an online conference or course format.
Let’s dive right in, in chronological order:
1. Ace Your Conference Presentation
Self-paced online mini-course
Opens: 5 June
Cost: $20
JSB: Designer & Instructor
This one is actually for anyone planning to present at a conference or elsewhere. While presenter skills overlaps with teacher skills, a one-shot presentation for a group that doesn’t know you brings its own stressors and calls for its own stratregies. This self-paced course gives you all the tools you need to plan and execute a successful, memorable presentation with confidence and joy!
2. Sane, Slow Conference in 3 Parts
Online conference with optional language classes
Dates: 28 June – 2 July, 19-22 July, 27-29 July
Cost: $108+
Coupon code: VIPteachhuman at checkout for $10 off
JSB: Workshop Presenter & Spanish Teacher
Part 1: CI Reboot Mini-Conference (28 June – 2 July)
Going back to the basics of teaching Comprehensible Input—but with a focus on inclusive, culturally responsive application
Part 2: Summer Language Institute (19-22 July)
Multiple levels of Spanish, French, and ASL courses, including Self-defense in Spanish with JSB and Erica Peplinski!
Part 3: Teaching Reading, Creating Content: Preparing an Inclusive, Comprehension-Based Curriculum for 2021 (27-29 July)
3. Express Fluency Conference in the Cloud
Online conference with optional language classes
Dates: 5-9 July
Cost: $375
Coupon code: teachhuman at checkout for $20 off (TeachHuman members get $40 off)
JSB: Workshop Presenter & Latin Teacher
This is an impressive—streamlined and feature-rich—online conference where you can observe language classes for students ages 5-18, take a language yourself (Beginner Latin, Russian, Mandarin, or French, or Advanced Spanish), and participate in workshops on acquisition-driven teaching. All classes and sessions are recorded and are available for 6 months.
4. The Ever-Ready Educator
6-week online course with Ashley Davis
Starts: 7 July (evening section), 8 July (morning section)
Cost: $145 through 16 June, then $175
JSB: Co-facilitator
This is a full improv course designed specifically to grow your confidence and skill as a teacher by honing your ability to listen, adapt, collaborate, and create—and have a lot of fun in the process!
5. Fluency Matters International Forum on Language Teaching
Online conference
Dates: 12-16 July
Cost: $449 (language classes $25)
JSB: Workshop Presenter & Latin Teacher
Top-notch conference including language classes with summer school students that participants can observe. (In case you or someone you know is interested in taking a language class for just $25 for the whole week, here is that registration.)