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February can be tough. We’re not just physically exhausted—we’re emotionally drained. The weight of our classrooms, our students, and everything happening in our communities can make us lose sight of what truly matters in language teaching.

That’s why I’m bringing back this incredible conversation with Dr. Bill VanPatten. When we’re running on empty, it’s easy to forget the foundation of language acquisition: input. In this episode, Dr. VanPatten reminds us why the essential role of input in language acquisition isn’t just a theory—it’s a fact.

Dr. VanPatten dives into the true nature of language, the limitations of traditional instruction, and how we can refocus on what our students need to acquire language.

💡 If you're feeling tired, overwhelmed, or questioning your approach, this episode is the perfect reset.

Key Takeaways:

✅ The role of input in language acquisition is a fact, not a hypothesis.
✅ Understanding the nature of language is crucial.
✅ Traditional assessments don’t accurately measure language development.
✅ Interaction and communication should be at the heart of every language class.

Join us for this important conversation, and let’s get back to what truly matters. 💛

🎧 Listen now!

Connect with Me:

💬 Join the Growing With CI FB Community 👉 Facebook Group

📝 Read the GWP Blog 👉 www.growingwithproficiency.com/blog

📚 Shop resources on Teachers Pay Teachers 👉 TPT Store

🎓 Join the GWP Spanish Teacher Academy 👉 Academy Waiting List

💻 Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Guide: Click here to download now.

Dr. Bill VanPatten Bio:

Prof. VanPatten is widely known for his work in second language acquisition and second language instruction, with special emphases on input processing, processing and parsing more generally, the interface between input processing and acquisition, morpho-syntactic relationships, and instructed SLA.

He has published eight books, eight edited volumes, six language textbooks (including the movies Sol y viento, Liaisons, and the tele series Destinos), and close to 200 articles and book chapters. In 2018 he left academia to pursue writing full-time.

His debut novel, Seidon's Tale, was the recipient of the 2019 Kops-Fetherling International Books Silver Phoenix Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. His second novel, Looks Are Deceiving, received the bronze medal from the International Readers' Favorite Book Awards for LGBTQ fiction. He is currently working on his sixth novel.

For more information, check out his personal website at http://www.billvanpatten.net

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Laurie Clarcq and Michele Whaley, the pioneers of Embedded Reading, to explore how this powerful strategy can transform language learning and boost student confidence in reading.

Together, we break down the step-by-step process of Embedded Reading and discuss how it helps language learners of all levels engage with texts in a way that is meaningful, accessible, and empowering. Whether you’ve heard of Embedded Reading before or are brand new to it, this episode will give you practical strategies to bring it to life in your classroom.

We dive into proven methods to scaffold reading, build comprehension skills, and ensure all students—regardless of their proficiency level—can experience success and joy in reading.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔹 What Embedded Reading is and why it’s a game-changer
🔹 How to create engaging, layered readings that support all learners
🔹 The difference between ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ Embedded Reading
🔹 Why this strategy builds reading stamina and language acquisition
🔹 How to differentiate for mixed-proficiency classrooms with ease
🔹 20+ classroom activities to make reading more engaging and interactive
🔹 Common challenges & how to overcome them

💡 BONUS: Get your FREE Embedded Reading guide to start experimenting with this strategy today! 👉 www.growingwithproficiency.com/podcastER

Connect with Me:

💬 Join the Growing With CI FB Community 👉 Facebook Group

📝 Read the GWP Blog 👉 www.growingwithproficiency.com/blog

📚 Shop resources on Teachers Pay Teachers 👉 TPT Store

🎓 Join the GWP Spanish Teacher Academy 👉 Academy Waiting List

💻 Comprehensible and Communicative Language Teaching Guide: Click here to download now.

Resources Mentioned:

📥 Free Embedded Reading Guide: www.growingwithproficiency.com/podcastER
📅 Sign up for the Embedded Reading Webinar: tinyurl.com/webinarER
📖 More on reading strategies:

• Episode 84: Dr. Stephen Krashen on Reading & Language Acquisition
• Episode 51: Pre, During & Post-Reading Activities for Maximum Comprehension

Connect with Laurie Clarcq & Michele Whaley:

🌍 Website: www.embeddedreading.com
📷 Instagram: @embeddedreading
📘 Facebook: Embedded Reading Community

Meet with Laurie and Michele at CI Beginnings conference in Oregon this summer

🎧 Loved This Episode? Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

💡 Have questions about Embedded Reading? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Inst

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide

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En este episodio de Growing With Proficiency, The Podcast, nos acompaña Kodi Rain, docente de español y coautor de Los viernes de películas, para conversar sobre cómo podemos crear un entorno de aprendizaje seguro para nuestro alumnado.

Hablamos sobre estrategias para fomentar la inclusión en nuestras clases, asegurándonos de que el contenido y las interacciones reflejen la diversidad de nuestras clases. También exploramos cómo, en contextos con distintas normativas, podemos seguir promoviendo un ambiente respetuoso y seguro para todas las personas de la clase.

Además, Kodi comparte consejos sobre cómo abordar conversaciones en la comunidad educativa con respeto y empatía, promoviendo una enseñanza que motive a cada estudiante a expresarse y participar activamente en el aprendizaje del español.

🔗 ¡No te pierdas este episodio! Y si encuentras útil esta conversación, compártela con otros docentes.

Recursos:

https://www.holaamigues.com/home

https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/singular-they

Kodi Rain (elle/they) enseña español inclusivo en cuanto al género a estudiantes de grados cuarto a octavbo primaria superior y secundariaen una escuela Montessori. Anteriormente, trabajó como intérprete de español para estudiantes inmigrantes en un sistema público de escuelas secundarias y preparatorias. Coescribió Los viernes de películas, una lectura para aprendices de idiomas en español inclusivo con personajes no binarios, que GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) elogió como "innovadora" y "la primera de su tipo".

GLAAD

Kodi habla y escribe sobre cómo utilizar el español inclusivo en el aula y cómo seleccionar recursos LGBTQ+ para la enseñanza. Disfruta de estar al aire libre, andar en bicicleta, pasar tiempo con amistades y jugar con sus gatos.

This teacher guide, available in English and Spanish, will give you clarity about how our students acquire the language and develop proficiency and the shifts I made to move from a traditional approach to a more comprehensible and communicative teaching approach.

Click here to download now https://growing-with-proficiency.mykajabi.com/teacherguide