Today’s Gen Alpha and Gen Z learners connect themselves through short videos, cultural updates and authentic media that reflect their daily lives. How can we harness these formats to maximize engagement and language growth in our classrooms? In this session, participants will explore strategies for transforming authentic clips, news segments and cultural spotlights into interpretive, interpersonal and presentational tasks. Join us as we take everyday media and adapt it for student-centered lessons that capture attention while deepening linguistic proficiency!
During the 2024-2025 academic year, Abroadia and West Street Elementary School (Geneva, NY) facilitated an exchange between students in Geneva and their counterparts in Havana, Cuba. Throughout the course of several months, Kaci Sciarabba guided her students in activities that helped them extend their friendship to Cuban students, while a teacher in Havana did the same. The lesson we hope everyone will take from this presentation is that it is never too early to introduce international pen pal programs to students.
Abroadia is a study abroad provider based in Geneva, NY. We develop short-term programs for high school and college/university students, faculty, administrators and community members. We design and lead programs in Spain, Cuba and Latin America.
This presentation will address the needs of teachers currently teaching native and heritage Spanish speakers who are looking for ways to keep students engaged, improve literacy skills, and foster a culture of growth and love for their home language. The main focus will be on how to upscale the three modes of communication to match the students’ proficiency levels aligned with the World Readiness standards for Learning Languages and the Next Generation Learning Standards for ELA to create meaningful learning experiences to improve their Spanish literacy skills. As a result, clear initial instruction in their home language can encourage the successful completion of the Seal of Biliteracy.
