Language Sensei

A Language Teacher's Journey

August 20, 2013
by leesensei
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“Let Me Check My List” – A Tip To Manage Your PLN

One of the greatest boosts in my teaching career has been the development of my Twitter PLN/ALN (as per a previous post – mine isn’t just “Personal” it’s an “Active” Learning Network). It has been amazing for me to see … Continue reading

August 7, 2013
by leesensei
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What If Your Bulletin Board Could Speak? QR Codes in the Classroom….

Language Sensei is on summer break until I return to school September 3rd. Just as I spend time rethinking my teaching and learning anew, Language Sensei will be revisiting past posts concentrating on professional change and ‘easy to implement tech’. … Continue reading

June 18, 2013
by leesensei
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Keys For Using Student Self-Evaluation in Discussions…

Too often in the past a student would complete an oral, turn to me and ask “How did I do?”. Didn’t they know? Weren’t they aware of how it was going? Gradually I saw the need to change my focus … Continue reading

June 4, 2013
by leesensei
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Some ‘Real Life’ Tasks for Common MFL Units

When I began my language teaching career, I really struggled with orals. Skits? Conversations? I quickly found them overused and underwhelming for ‘authentic’ use. A conversation with an amazing French teacher sparked my interest in “tâche finale” (a summative final … Continue reading

May 28, 2013
by leesensei
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It’s an “ALN” not a “PLN”….or it should be…

There’s a lot made about the Personal Learning Network (PLN) these days. I know it isn’t a new idea. For years teachers who wish it, have taken personal time and initiative to connect, learn and expand their professional skills. In … Continue reading

May 22, 2013
by leesensei
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Reaching A “Reluctant” Learner – What Terry Reinforced for Me..

Every year I have students who enter my Japanese 11 class out of a ‘crash’ 1 semester course called Beginner 11. While the majority of students have had 2 semesters in the language the Beg. 11’s cram it all into … Continue reading

May 14, 2013
by leesensei
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“Taking A Risk” – What Does Risk in the MFL Class Look Like?

I use rubrics a lot in my classes as I feel they allow the student to really ‘see’ what they have achieved and where they might improve. Increasingly I have moved to self-evaluation of some of my oral activities – … Continue reading

May 8, 2013
by leesensei
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A New “Sense” of Direction….Street View

As part of my travel unit for Japanese 12 I do a quick review of direction giving. In the Japanese 11 class we use a static map for guiding around. But bringing that same map back for the Grade 12’s … Continue reading

May 7, 2013
by leesensei
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“Song of the Week” – Part 2

Last week I shared the ‘source’ of song of the week- how I find and select it. I also passed on my use of it as a ‘cue’ in my classroom. It was my intent to share this week on … Continue reading

April 30, 2013
by leesensei
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“Song of the Week” Part 1: Sourcing & Using

Music is a powerful tool in world language learning. As an ‘authentic resource’ it’s accessible to students, timely and full of language that speaks directly to students. I don’t allow students to use headphones and listen to their own music … Continue reading

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