SWCOLT 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to SWCOLT-AZLA 2025 at Gila River Resort & Casino - Wild Horse Pass.

Be sure to check our website for complete conference information: SWCOLT 2025.
Need answers ASAP? Reach out to our event planning team at jraught@swcolt.org for info and more.

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8:00am MST

Ditch the Textbook! Heritage Spanish Curriculum Design Using Only Authentic Resources

Friday January 24, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am MST

Often, teachers are given no direct instruction or curriculum on how to teach heritage classes. Teachers navigate on their own the specific resources or textbooks that are available to them. In this session, teachers will be able to get access to a curriculum that is made from only authentic resources without the need for a specific textbook. Participants can ask questions about curriculum design and share reflections about their own experiences. This session is meant to inform other heritage teachers how to start creating their curriculum and provide them with guidance and a list of resources.

Speakers

Nallely Morales

Dual Language and World language teacher, Kyrene Middle School

Friday January 24, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am MST
Palo Verde A

60-minute presentation

Company Spanish
Audience All Levels
Subject English
Area The Learning Experience

1:00pm MST

Silly and Spontaneous Conversation Starters

Friday January 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Palo Verde A

Feedback Survey

In this session participants will learn how to effectively use the daily oral language strategy of "Silly and Spontaneous Conversation Starters" in the Spanish classroom by actively participating in several different activities. The attendees will listen, speak, and present ideas by responding in Spanish to various written prompts. The presenter will demonstrate how to use follow up questions in order to get all students talking in the target language throughout the lesson. This lesson is designed to provide teachers and students with more interesting and humorous conversation prompts so that every student will find something they want to talk about in the target language.

Speakers

Thomas L Gabriele

Retired

Friday January 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Palo Verde A

60-minute presentation

Company Spanish
Audience Secondary, Post-secondary
Subject Spanish
Area The Learning Experience

2:15pm MST

Reading: Why, What, and How (Exhibitor Session)

Friday January 24, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST

Palo Verde A

Feedback Survey

Reading is fundamental to supporting language acquisition. In this session, you will learn why reading is so important, what types of texts learners should be reading (even beginners!), and simple low or no-prep strategies for reading together.

Speakers

Elicia Cárdenas - The Comprehensible Classroom

Director of Training, The Comprehensible Classroom

Driven by the core belief that all students are capable of acquiring language, The Comprehensible Classroom has been at the forefront of the movement toward teaching for acquisition since 2010. TCC publishes curriculum and instructional tools grounded in a solid understanding of language... Read More →

Friday January 24, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST
Palo Verde A

60-minute presentation

Company All languages
Audience All Levels
Subject English
Area The Learning Experience

4:00pm MST

It’s Show Time: Putting Proficiency Center Stage When Assessing (Exhibitor Session)

Friday January 24, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST

Palo Verde A

Feedback Survey

You are the director, and your students have the lead roles in integrated performance assessments (IPAs). IPAs shine a light on your students and their communicative abilities. This session will break down the IPA process into three acts: 1) the context, 2) the tasks, and 3) the rubrics. You will learn how to assess your students in a way that allows them to show off what they can do with what they have learned.

Speakers

Cristin Bleess - Wayside Publishing

Instructional Strategist, Wayside Publishing

Wayside takes language learning beyond traditional drills and flashcards. Through immersive, real-world scenarios, culturally rich lessons, scaffolded, proficiency-driven activities, and gamified practice, students develop meaningful communication skills that prepare them for authentic... Read More →

Friday January 24, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST
Palo Verde A

60-minute presentation

Company All languages
Audience Secondary
Subject English
Area Performance/Feedback/Assessment

5:15pm MST

Leveraging ACTFL Assessments for College and Career Readiness (Exhibitor Session)

Friday January 24, 2025 5:15pm - 6:15pm MST

Palo Verde A

Feedback Survey

The US Deptartment of Education has an increasing focus on college and career readiness (CCR). We have indicators in K-12 and higher ed that are designed to help educational programs position learners for career success. But how do world language programs fit in the mix? This session considers three ways you can leverage language testing with the AAPPL and other ACTFL assessments to meet CCR standards, increase value of language programming to students, and preserve your program!

Exhibitors

Jennifer Quinlan - Associate Director of Product Management - Language Testing International

Assoc. Director, Language Testing International

Since 1992, Language Testing International (LTI), a Samsung company, has led in global language proficiency testing for over 120 languages. As the exclusive ACTFL licensee, LTI ensures quality through certified testers, offering trusted language credentials recognized by corporations... Read More →

Friday January 24, 2025 5:15pm - 6:15pm MST
Palo Verde A

60-minute presentation

Company All languages
Audience All Levels
Subject English
Area Performance/Feedback/Assessment