For the last two years, I have found a new way of relaxing- reading novellas in Latin! Initially I purchased my first novellas to explore using them in my middle school classroom. However one evening on a whim, I carried one with me into my son’s room as we prepared for the bedtime routine. After reading to him, we often read together silently. The novella hit the spot! It was comprehensible, it was compelling, and it was what I had energy for at the end of a busy day. [Read more…]
Digital Interactive Notebooks in the World Language Classroom
I learned about digital interactive notebooks last spring (2020) via different Facebook groups. The teacher creates activities (or copies and pastes activities) into a Google Slides presentation. There are places in the presentation for students to write, upload work, etc. Then, using Google Classroom, the teacher creates an assignment and makes a copy of the entire Google Slides presentation for each student. [Read more…]
Engaging Education: Four Authentic and Engaging Strategies that Carry Over to the Physical Classroom
I still remember the last day of school in March 2020; the end of in-person instruction was so abrupt. Who could have predicted that almost a year would pass before we would return to in person instruction and that even then, it would be to a hybrid model? And yet, the 2020-2021 school year taught us a lot. It tested and refined our methods of instruction; it forced us to become more innovative in our strategies. Here are four things I learned: [Read more…]
Starting a Virtual Foreign Language Magazine
One day, early in 2020, my sophomore year, I was talking to my parents about school activities and how to get more involved in my school community. I had thought about the school newspaper; however, I didn’t want to write an article in English. I thought about my love for other languages and how it would be cool if I could write a whole article in Spanish. Then the idea struck me — I would like to start a foreign language magazine! [Read more…]
My Language Learning Journey earning the Seal of Quadriliteracy
Within this fast moving world, many acquire a special talent, whether it’s knowing how to solve multiple difficult mathematical problems or playing several instruments. Having a talent is similar to owning something that others don’t possess, and for me, one of my talents is facility of the four skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing in multiple languages. [Read more…]
Advocating as Teacher Candidates: The World Language Advocacy Project
At the Neag School of Education, where I teach methods and advise future teachers, we certify world language teacher candidates through two programs: Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s (IB/M) and Teacher Certification for Post Collegiate Graduates (TCPCG). The goal of the Master’s year, particularly for IB/M students, is to encourage teacher candidates to take on leadership roles in year-long, school-based internships, preparing them to serve as innovators and agents of change. [Read more…]
An Interview with CT COLT’s Teacher of the Year: Trudy Anderson
Trudy is a middle school Spanish teacher for the New Haven Public Schools. She has presented on multiple topics for CT COLT and other language organizations, specializing in classroom instruction methods that are accessible and effective for all teachers, languages and levels. Her commitment to her students and her passion for language teaching is unparalleled; when we sat down to chat, she had just finished the Summer Proficiency Institute and mentioned how invigorating and inspiring it was, even after the tiring year we have all had teaching remotely.
President’s Message
Dear CT COLT Members,
It’s summer, we made it! I hope that as you read this, you are having a peaceful and healthy break. For me, this time of year is one of deep reflection, where I look back, check in on how I’m doing, and then start to mentally plan for the upcoming school year.
Looking back
When I think back to the school year that has just wrapped up, I am grateful for the resiliency of my students, my responsive school and district leadership, the teamwork of the CT COLT Board and members, and the support of my colleagues, family, and friends. I am proud to be a part of this incredibly flexible, diligent, creative, and giving profession. I cannot believe how much I evolved this past year. In particular, my colleagues and I zoomed forward in our use of technology and social emotional learning strategies, which were critical for learning and connection. It was surprising that serenity appeared when slowing down and thinking about my priorities in a fresh light.
An image from one of my many walks in the woods with my dog, Pasta.
Remembering Paul St. Louis
I saw the caller’s name on my phone as I answered that evening expecting to talk about the latest idea for our conference, or something else related to the workings of CT COLT …only to get the sad news that Paul had passed away that day. NOOOO, it can’t be! We had our summer luncheon date planned to talk about all the myriad facets of CT COLT. I wanted to remind Paul how much we needed to continue to convert our historical documents and the stuff in his head input into our Google drive. I wanted to ask him if he would work with me again on the boxes of historical stuff stored in the warehouse. After this horrific year I wanted to see my friend in person and give him a hug. The news was instant shock, denial, and profound grief. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Paul was fine when I had just talked to him not long ago.
Paul St. Louis
