If you’ve read or heard much about input-based theories of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), you’ve probably come across the idea that acquiring another language happens “subconsciously” or “unconsciously” under suitable circumstances. You may also have seen this process of acquisition–basically, the journey from being someone who doesn’t know a particular language to being someone who does–contrasted with other processes […]
Tag Archives: language
Good Idea / Bad Idea (Activity + Add-On)
Here’s something you can use as a freestanding activity or as an add-on to almost anything you do in a language classroom. It doesn’t get much simpler: Good Idea / Bad Idea (freestanding version) All you do is a say a sentence in the target language. All students do is say whether it represents a good […]
Off to CSCTFL 2016!
In a few minutes I’ll be heading out to the largest regional conference for language teachers in the United States, the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL). I’ll be leading a three-hour workshop and a one-hour session, but mostly I’m excited to meet and learn from old and new friends. Will […]
Partnering with Express Fluency in August!
Elissa McLean of Express Fluency has just announced a set of exciting language-learning and teacher-training programs taking place this August in beautiful Brattleboro, Vermont. Among the options are three featuring yours truly: A Latin intensive course for anyone who has always wanted to learn Latin or whose past experiences learning Latin didn’t make it stick. This will be quite […]
Tricks and Triggers for Opportunistic Language Learning
If you’ve seen the Savvy Language Learner infographic or read many posts on this site, you know that I find a system of routines and triggers indispensable for living in your target language when you’re not living in an immersion setting. In 2016, frequent travel and closely bunched projects have convinced me of the need for even more vigilance […]
How Has 2016 Been So Far?
This is the last weekend of the first month of 2016. How is the year going so far? What has been most as you expected? What has been least as you expected? What has been most as you hoped? What has been least as you hoped? For me, it’s been a tiring, but exciting month. Since being […]
Quirky Scripts: An Easy Way to Teach “Hard” Language
Quirky Scripts is a lesson requiring almost no prep that can be used repeatedly all year, at every level. It’s also a way for students to acquire “advanced” language really early on with minimal effort. Skim the how-to or scroll down for a dozen reasons these Quirky Scripts are so useful. Here are the steps: Step 1: Give […]
Teaching Latin to Humans
Twofer! Announcing… “Teaching Latin to Humans,” an article just published in Eidolon, and LIMEN, a Latin teaching portal here at indwellinglanguage.com Whether or not you are learning or teaching Latin, it’s likely that you have a reason to view or share these: 1. “Teaching Latin to Humans: How to Honor both the Language and the Learner” diagnoses the […]
Celebrating Others’ Success in 2015
2015 was a year of great successes for language learners and teachers. Here are some of those successes just from people in my circles, shared so that you can join in the joy! Why not add your own or others’ joys and successes in the Comments section or on social media using hashtag #joysuccess ? B.M. started learning Spanish from […]
Top Ten Posts of 2015
Every blogger’s doing it, and I’m glad. It’s great to see what’s been most helpful to language learners and teachers this year! Here, for your undelayed gratification, are the ten most popular posts published at indwellinglanguage.com in 2015, in chronological order. Preparing a Lesson vs Preparing Yourself How to teach well and save your sanity. (01/13/2015) 9 Ways To Happify Your […]