SWCOLT 2025

Engaging and motivating student learning requires creative and meaningful activities. There often comes a moment in teaching practice when it is important to verify whether the implementation of certain activities has the desired outcome on student learning. This presentation will highlight the benefits of undertaking classroom-based action research as a valuable tool to aid reflection on teacher/learning instructional practices when implementing changes, while also providing professional learning opportunities that can impact teacher development. Participants will take away practical examples and relevant resources to develop classroom research with the aim of making language teaching more effective.

How can teachers involve all students simultaneously in responding and understanding classroom discussions? Discover how to structure scaffolded student talk where all students participate and have a response. Then, take these dialogues and learn how to enhance them into cohesive narratives that students will appreciate and understand.

A language classroom where learners have agency is one that includes opportunities for student voice, choice, and ownership of learning. During this interactive session, participants will gain strategies and examine classroom samples for enhancing engagement of diverse students in their classrooms through student agency.

Several LEAs and SEAs have created K-16 pathways that make it easier for Dual Language, Heritage, and Newcomer students to matriculate into postsecondary institutions. This session will look at those K-16 Pathways and how some higher education institutions are already working with Dual Language, Heritage, and Newcomer programs. We will discuss the Utah and Delaware Bridge Programs, which connect high school students with upper division university coursework and their multiple entrance points, as well as other proficiency-based programs for college credit around the nation. We will also discuss the need for higher education institutions to articulate pathways for historically underrepresented populations, which will lead to greater equity, increased enrollment, and the creation of new language for specific purpose programs.

Attendees will learn about Open Educational Resources (OER) and how to use them in planning and preparing engaging real-world, relevant, and meaningful pedagogical products for a wide array of student populations in second-language (L2) classrooms. The presentation will emphasize techniques for adapting and remixing OER to meet specific educational contexts and learner needs. In addition to offering participants a comprehensive definition of OER and an exploration of proven pragmatic advantages of these resources, the session will provide two distinct demonstrations of how and why OER have been used in instructional design for beginning and intermediate level language learners. The first of these demonstrations discusses using authentic popular culture products to develop lessons that enhance students' communicative language skills, with an emphasis on interpretive and presentational skills, whilst the second demonstrates how existing technologies can be used to create engaging and interactive grammar tutorials.

Dive into the world of AI to transform reading and writing activities, making them more interactive and engaging for students. Learn how to utilize AI tools to enhance comprehension, encourage creativity, and provide personalized feedback. This session will showcase practical applications, from chatbots simulating real-life conversations to AI-driven story creation and editing tools. Participants will leave equipped with innovative strategies to foster a more immersive and motivating language learning environment.

The mention of AI in the classroom can trigger thoughts of doom and gloom. But this session will show how to harness the powers of AI to build students’ language proficiency through the lens of interculturality, giving them the opportunity to dive more deeply into the target culture while building their communicative skills in all three modes. Using AI as a springboard, educators can take their students beyond investigating the three Ps of products, practices, and perspectives and allow them to truly interact effectively. The magic of AI is out there; why not use it to your students’ advantage?

This session will explore strategies and best practices for recruiting students into the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH). As the official honor society for high school students studying Spanish, SHH provides a unique platform for recognizing academic excellence, fostering a deeper connection to the Spanish language and culture, and creating leadership opportunities for students. Whether you're just starting an SHH chapter or looking to reinvigorate an existing one, this session will equip you with practical tools and inspiring ideas to increase student participation and engagement.

Presenters: Laura Zinke & Lacey Chavez

Can we design effective lesson sequences that leverage reading to integrate all Modes of Communication and develop learners’ proficiency? Yes! Focus this authentic resource-based sequence first on purpose and then on engagement, understanding, and meaning-making. Lastly, design a communicative task that provides evidence of what readers can do with what they learn!

This session explores the transformative power of writing in language learning, introducing the Describe, Interpret, Evaluate (D I E) method for intercultural communication. D I E-based writing activities immerse learners in cultural contexts, fostering critical thinking and deeper cultural understanding. Participants will gain practical tools and ideas to enhance students' writing skills and cultural awareness. Through hands-on activities, real-world examples, and collaborative discussions, attendees will leave with ready-to-use strategies to promote active engagement and reflection in their teaching.