Category Archives: Musings

Teaching about El Salvador

Posted on March 18, 2020 by senorab72

As I shared in a previous post, my husband is from El Salvador, and I have visited several times. I am in my first year out of the classroom after 25 years of teaching, but I feel the need to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Musings | Tagged | 1 Comment

El Salvador trip for teachers?

Posted on June 20, 2017 by senorab72

I’ve spent the last few weeks in El Salvador with my husband visiting his family, and I got this hair-brained idea that teachers might like to participate in a tour specifically for them. The fact that El Salvador doesn’t have … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged | 10 Comments

Mentoring a pre-service teacher

Posted on February 23, 2017 by senorab72

I’ve had a few pre-service teachers doing observation hours and student teaching with me the last few years, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can mentor them in the best way possible. I want to dedicate this … Continue reading →

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Teaching World Languages in the 21st Century

Posted on March 31, 2014 by senorab72

I recently returned from a conference and have read several online commentaries lately regarding teaching world languages today that got me thinking about some things. The message that textbooks and grammar teaching should be avoided in favor of communicative language teaching … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Curriculum, Musings | 1 Comment

The big picture and language teaching and learning

Posted on June 27, 2013 by senorab72

Some time back, I put together some documents that I have not had the opportunity to utilize in regard to designing world language programs, so I am going to put them here in case they could be useful for language … Continue reading →

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Interesting quote about education and language studies

Posted on March 23, 2012 by senorab72

Here is a quote about education:  “I believe that much of present education fails because it neglects this fundamental principle of the school as a form of community life. It conceives the school as a place where certain information is … Continue reading →

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In defense of national board certification

Posted on January 8, 2012 by senorab72

Today I read a blog post on edweek.org in support of national certification.  I also read the comments at the bottom by readers, and there was one that said the process was too subjective, that this person has witnessed where … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Professional Development | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Good teaching: Something about student engagement

Posted on January 3, 2012 by senorab72

A few months ago I read a blog post about an interview with Bill Gates about education in America.  The interviewer asked, “What do you think makes a good teacher?”  Gates responded by saying, “Clearly, there’s something about engaging the … Continue reading →

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It’s not about me

Posted on January 1, 2012 by senorab72

I am a stubborn person.  I like to think I’m always right.  I get defensive when my teaching is questioned.  I have to think a while about new ideas before I decide to change.        Change is difficult … Continue reading →

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Why I can no longer give grammar-based exams

Posted on January 1, 2012 by senorab72

I’ve been reading a book called Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen by James F. Lee and Bill VanPatten.  It’s not an easy book to read, but its messages are very, very interesting.  It has given me some new insights and also … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Research | Tagged , , | 2 Comments