Practical Proficiency Podcast
by Devon Gunning | La Libre Language Learning
Latest episode
#48 - My Language Journey: I Studied French, Spoke Spanish, And…
#48 - My Language Journey: I Studied French, Spoke Spanish, And…
About this podcast
Where world language teachers gather to transition to proficiency oriented instruction through comprehensible input. All through practical, real-life, teacher-friendly ideas that make teaching language more joyful! Hosted by Devon of La Libre Language Learning.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 48 episodes
- #48 - My Language Journey: I Studied French, Spoke Spanish, And Confused Them On Every Exam · 1 h 3 min · Season 3 Episode 48Send us Fan Mail I'm doing something different today and sharing my candid origin story as a language lover. From early childhood immersion in Japan to a Dominican study abroad…
- #47 - 9 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving from Grammar-Heavy to Proficiency Instruction · 42 min · Season 3 Episode 47Send us Fan Mail This episode breaks down why transitioning from legacy methods to proficiency feels so hard, then maps practical, low-prep moves that make it sustainable and…
- #46 - AI In The World Language Classroom: Rethinking the Dynamic When A Bot Can Write Spanish in Seconds · 35 min · Season 3 Episode 46Send us Fan Mail What happens when a tool can write a passable Spanish 1 paragraph in six seconds? We took that provocation and built a practical roadmap for world language…
- #45 - You Don’t Need A Theater Degree to Use CI: Common Misconceptions About CI Teaching · 21 min · Season 3 Episode 45Send us Fan Mail We push back on the myth that comprehensible input only works for charismatic teachers, and we reframe proficiency as a guiding philosophy rather than a single…
- #44 - Making 25 Minutes Count: Elementary Language Teaching With Cognitive Load Theory · 38 min · Season 3 Episode 44Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck on the same unit while your elementary learners still “haven’t mastered it”? Let’s flip the script. We take a clear-eyed look at short, 25–30…
- #43 - "I struggle with how to teach vocab consistently" : Listener Q+A on Presenting New Vocab · 38 min · Season 3 Episode 43Send us Fan Mail I answer a listener’s question about teaching vocabulary consistently by reframing every class as a vocabulary class that moves words through a three-stage…
- #42 - Why a Simple “Password” Can Transform Your World Language Class · 31 min · Season 3 Episode 42Send us Fan Mail What if a 10-second ritual at your classroom door could boost target-language use, cut awkward silence, and build community—all at once? We walk through the…
- #41 - Tools for Teaching Autistic Learners and Managing Absences in ASL Classes: Listener Q+A · 35 min · Season 3 Episode 40Send us Fan Mail We answer Sherry’s two-part question on engaging autistic learners in an ASL classroom and creating a sane, effective plan for frequent absences. We share…
- #40 - 8 Ways to Lower Student Anxiety in World Language Class · 23 min · Season 3 Episode 40Send us Fan Mail Asking students to speak in a new language can feel like asking them to step on stage without a script. We dig into why anxiety hits world language classrooms…
- #39 - The Role of Grammar in Your Proficiency-Oriented Classroom · 34 min · Season 3 Episode 39Send us Fan Mail Grammar—the eternal battleground of language education. Is it the foundation of language learning or a distraction from real communication? In this eye-opening…
- #38 - 3 Strategies to Make Grammar Your Friend, Not Your Boss - Proficiency-Based Grammar Instruction · 36 min · Season 3 Episode 38Send us Fan Mail The proper role of grammar in proficiency-oriented instruction requires a mindset shift from traditional approaches to one that aligns with what research tells…
- #37 - 15 Common Target Language Mistakes & How to Fix Them · 1 h 10 min · Season 3 Episode 37Send us Fan Mail This is a special insider episode where you get to see what it's like to be a part of the Practical Proficiency Network! Join us for this amazing insider look…
- 36 - Middle School Magic: Teaching Tips & Curriculum Must-Haves for Middle School with Sonrisas Spanish · 1 h 3 min · Season 3 Episode 36Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why teaching Spanish to middle schoolers requires such a unique approach? In this episode, we dive deep with Brooks from Sonrisas Spanish into the…
- 35 - From Teaching on An Island to Transforming Her Program: Diane's Teacher Story & PPN Member Experience · 50 min · Season 3 Episode 35Send us Fan Mail Ever felt like the lone Spanish teacher on an island, wondering if everyone else has figured out the secret to effortless curriculum mapping? You're not alone…
- 34 - Authentic Assessment: Replacing Final Exams with Language Portfolios · 32 min · Season 3 Episode 34Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of watching your language students cram for final exams only to forget everything a week later? It's time to revolutionize your assessment approach…
- 33 - My FAVE Speaking Activity for World Language Classes: "And you" & How to Play · 27 min · Season 3 Episode 33Send us Fan Mail The "And You" game transforms speaking practice in world language classrooms, helping students overcome anxiety while having fun with movement and authentic…
- 32 - UNIT IDEAS SERIES:Adverbs of Frequency - What If You Had a Planning Partner in Your Pocket? · 17 min · Season 3 Episode 32Send us Fan Mail Planning a world language unit doesn't have to be a solo mission - this episode offers a detailed walkthrough of teaching adverbs of frequency with a…
- 31 - Language Glue: Why Your Students Can't Remember What You Taught Them · 28 min · Season 3 Episode 31Send us Fan Mail Language teachers everywhere face the same challenge: how do we create units that actually lead to acquisition instead of just memorization? The answer lies in…
- 30 - Guest Kia London on Patience in Proficiency & 90% Target Language : A Teacher's Journey · 51 min · Season 3 Episode 30Send us Fan Mail Patience trumps perfection when transitioning to proficiency-based language instruction, as veteran Spanish teacher Kia London reveals in this enlightening…
- 29 - UNIT IDEAS: Description - Physical and Personality Traits Units for Proficiency-Oriented Instruction · 33 min · Season 3 Episode 29Send us Fan Mail The ability to describe people - both physically and by personality - isn't just another vocabulary list in your world language curriculum. It's a pivotal…
