Language Sensei

A Language Teacher's Journey

February 25, 2014
by leesensei
2 Comments

Continuing the “Vocabulary” Journey – A Quick Update

I wrote recently about my ‘journey’ with going beyond the vocabulary list and the challenge thrown out by Amy Lenord (@alenord) and others to go beyond a confined set of words in a unit. My post spoke about the ‘shifts’ … Continue reading

February 17, 2014
by leesensei
1 Comment

Developing Conversation Skills: The “Follow Up Question” Game

We work hard in my class on developing an ease at conversing. It isn’t natural for many people, including me I’ll admit, so why would we expect it to be so for our students? This semester I have a new … Continue reading

February 11, 2014
by leesensei
2 Comments

Marking Using Docs…A Newbie Wades In…

I am trying to expand choice in homework. At times this is in what you do to show/demonstrate your learning. The other way is in ‘how’ you choose to complete the work. This semester I am experimenting with my Japanese … Continue reading

February 3, 2014
by leesensei
2 Comments

Considerations As You Allow “The Phone”

As a language teacher I find mobile phones are a great resource as a dictionary, a unique way to do homework and, for many of my students, an alternative way to take notes. I’ve been using them in my class … Continue reading

January 7, 2014
by leesensei
8 Comments

“How do you say __?” Extending beyond “the vocab list”

I’ll admit it. For every unit – a set of vocabulary. Used to ensure a basic set of words to discuss the topic.  My goal in this being that students have a common vocabulary with which to interact. But it’s … Continue reading

January 1, 2014
by leesensei
0 comments

Language Sensei: Most Popular Posts of 2013

Language Sensei is a forum for me to explore both teaching an MFL (modern foreign language) and work to integrate/explore technology both in my classroom and for personal development. It has been my project for the past 2 (almost) years … Continue reading

December 3, 2013
by leesensei
0 comments

Taking the Time to Ask “How’s it going?”

As teachers we’re often so concerned about finishing a class in time that sometimes we forget how far we have come. This year has started a new emphasis for me on reflective learning. As I take the time reflect on … Continue reading

November 5, 2013
by leesensei
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Two Ways To “Power” Up MFL Students’ Learning

This year I returned to teaching the ‘new’ Grade 9 course. They are young, keen and full of energy. Many I get have never really been in a modern language classroom taught by a language specialist.  As a teacher I … Continue reading

September 17, 2013
by leesensei
6 Comments

Conversation Circles…or “I spoke in the TL for 45 Minutes?!”

If I told a student that I expected 45-50 minutes of sustained discussion in the target language they’d laugh and say no way. But I watched it today in my Grade 12 class – as students used the pretext of … Continue reading

September 9, 2013
by leesensei
4 Comments

The New First Days…(“Yo Ho Ho” )

Each year I strive to improve the way that class begins. This year, armed with my metaphoric pirate eye patch from my summer reading (“Teach Like A Pirate“) and a renewed belief in what constitutes review – my 18th start … Continue reading

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