Language Sensei

A Language Teacher's Journey

November 13, 2019
by leesensei
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Changing Seating/Changing Teaching – What My 2019 Classroom “Set Up” Now Says…

I wrote the first part of this post in 2014….when I was making what I knew was a huge first step in my classroom environment. Today in November 2019 – as the last ‘student desk’ came out of my room … Continue reading

January 2, 2015
by leesensei
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My 2015 #OneWord – “Applicable”

Last year I focused on the word “Opportunity” and the ways in which I could provide students the opportunity to interact with authentic materials and deliver their work in Japanese. Laura Sexton has already provided a great post on  the … Continue reading

April 15, 2014
by leesensei
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Changing Seating/Changing Teaching – What My Classroom “Set Up” Says…

I looked out at my room the other day – the same room I started to teach in when it was a new school in in 1997. The blackboard is now a whiteboard, the screen is there for my computer…and … Continue reading

March 24, 2014
by leesensei
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A Language Facilitator, Not a “Teacher” (or Learning to Give Up Control)

I used to tell people that I was a language teacher. But I no longer think of myself that way. My shift started in earnest this year when I was challenged, via the #langchat PLN, to let go of my … Continue reading

March 19, 2014
by leesensei
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An Exercise for Building Circumlocution Skills -The Group Reading Recap

I’ve always approached “another way to say the same thing/get your meaning across” as an essential skill for the vocabulary-limited second language learner. But how to start – how to have kids begin to think of other ways to express … Continue reading

March 17, 2014
by leesensei
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Thinking about ‘Paperless’ – The Kids Weigh In

Some of us in our school are looking to try going ‘paperless’. There are many reasons, and programs/apps to support this. (Did I mention the huge deficit in our district that means slashed budgets for supplies?) However, my high school, in … Continue reading

March 13, 2014
by leesensei
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It’s Not Where You’re At – It’s Where You’re Headed

It was a great #langchat tonight. A really lively talk about advocating for the communicative approach in your teaching area. Teachers were great in sharing common objections, ways to lead and why they believe so passionately in how they teach. … Continue reading

March 10, 2014
by leesensei
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“Today I took a risk and….” Asking for Student Self Reflection

  We often tell students what we value in the classroom but how do we know the message is getting through? How do they interpret what I am trying to get them to be: risk-takers, supportive classmates, inquisitive learners? I … Continue reading

March 6, 2014
by leesensei
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A Few Thoughts on “Station Management”

Call them “Stations”, “Roundabouts” or “Carousels” – they are a hot topic with the #langchat crew. A recent #langchat devoted to the ideas of the ‘station’ led to all sorts of ideas for use and management (summary here). I have … Continue reading

March 3, 2014
by leesensei
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“How did that go?” An Oral Activity Feedback Rubric

I’ve always asked students to work in pairs, or small groups in class. But only lately have I started to ask for their feedback as to how it went. I’ve worked for a while on a quick feedback rubric – … Continue reading

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