Episode 60: Making Language Teaching Sustainable: Insights from John Bracey
Episode description
In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, we have a special guest, John Bracey, a Latin teacher who has been using Comprehensible Input methodology for several years.
In this episode, John Bracey emphasizes the importance of finding strategies that can be consistently implemented without overwhelming teachers' work-life balance. John discusses the importance of emphasizing reading in the classroom as a powerful tool for language acquisition, as well as the significant impact of spending target language time in class.
Assessment practices are also explored, with John Bracey advocating for simplified grading methods and focusing on using assessments to gauge student acquisition rather than extensive error correction. He shares practical tips such as using choice boards for assessments and minimizing the time spent on grading to maximize efficiency.
Throughout the episode, host Claudia and John explore the pressures teachers face, the impact of social media on teaching expectations, and the importance of prioritizing what works best for individual teachers and their students.
If you are seeking clarity, strategies, ideas, and inspiration for language teaching, this episode is a must-listen. John Bracey's advice and experiences will empower you to let go of unsustainable expectations, embrace your authentic teaching style, and create a positive and enriching language learning experience for your students. Don't miss out—click to listen now!
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John Bracey has been a Latin teacher in Massachusetts since 2010. He’s a former Massachusetts Latin TOY and currently teaches at Belmont High School in Belmont MA. He has a BA in Classics from University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MA from Boston College. He has taught Latin exclusively using Comprehensible Input methodology for the past several years. He leads workshops around the country for language teachers of all kinds.
Links & Resources
Thanksgiving Comprehensible Text
GWP The Spanish Teacher Academy Waitlist