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!
What if students participated not because they had to, but because they genuinely wanted to? This interactive session explores daily, weekly, and unit-based routines that build authentic communication and connection. Grounded in the ACTFL Core Practices, participants will engage in adaptable, low-prep strategies that promote curiosity, student voice, and meaningful interaction. Learn how to increase participation and create a classroom culture where students communicate with purpose and confidence.
HS Spanish teacher - I'm passionate about creating meaningful relationships with my students and supporting them to achieve (and have FUN) in Spanish class!
I'm an IB/AP teacher who is actively working to promote language output and give my students confidence to use their language skills... Read More →
Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT Fort Orange 5
In this era of multi-tasking, never-ending phone usage, internet sites, computers, tablets, and technology use at everybody’s fingertips, along with markets which are competing for people’s time and presence, it seems like educators are constantly fighting for students’ attention. Instead of trying to get their attention, we should be commanding and directing it to the content to be learned in and outside of the classroom. Recognizing that technology is here to stay, this workshop will be an exploration of how technology has encroached attention and memory, and a dialogue where we can explore how to regain the mental presence of our students in our classes; how technology can be helpful to student learning, but also what the dangers of overusing it could be.
This interactive session invites world language educators to explore practical strategies that spark curiosity and build confidence among novice learners. By the end of the workshop, participants will take away a toolkit of adaptable strategies that prioritize engagement, reflection, technology integration, and cultural inclusivity—essential components for nurturing confident, communicative novice learners in any world language classroom.
Elementary Spanish Teacher, Harrison Central School District
#Earlylang Spanish teacher in suburban NY, grades 4 - 5. NYSAFLT past president. I love teaching with singing, games, puppets, and humor. Let's connect!
Podcasts are transforming how we engage with language learning and cultural appreciation, creating meaningful bridges between classrooms and communities. In alignment with this year’s theme, this presentation explores how the Gotitas del Saber Podcast strengthens Spanish acquisition while celebrating Hispanic culture. With over 100 episodes, this weekly podcast immerses students and the school community in Latinx traditions, highlighting influential figures and cultural origins of foods like corn and potatoes. Though created in Spanish, it can be adapted to any language and across all grade levels. Attendees will explore content creation, classroom integration, and its impact on engagement, community, and cultural connection.
Let’s get back to the basics—screen-free and student-centered. This interactive session shares low-prep, high-movement strategies that spark communication, support diverse learners, and boost engagement across proficiency levels while helping teachers manage workload and build classroom community.
Daniela Casadei-Berwind teaches Italian and Spanish at Murphy Junior High in Three Village. Previously, she also taught at Ward Melville High School and Long Island Lutheran. Before becoming a secondary-level teacher, she was an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and Molloy College... Read More →
District Coordinator | LILT President, Sewanhaka Central High School District
Katina Price is the District Coordinator of World Languages at Sewanhaka CHSD and has over 15 years of teaching experience. She holds degrees from Hofstra University, Saint Louis University (Madrid Campus), and St. John’s University. She has presented a variety of workshops for... Read More →
Connect with fellow educators from your region, learn about your regional organization, and discover ways to get involved and advocate for language education in your area.
FLES-MANDARIN (Grades K-5), North Shore Central School District
David Schultz has been the FLES-Mandarin teacher at North Shore School District since 2016. Prior to his tenure at North Shore Schools, David taught, studied, and lived in China for ten years, completing a graduate degree in Chinese at Peking University. He is currently serving as... Read More →
Maria Quintanilla teaches Spanish for Spanish Speakers at Energy Tech High School in Queens, NY. She has mentored new teachers and has served as teacher mentor for the College Board. She is currently working with the DOE’s Division of Multilingual Learners, developing lesson plans... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT Shaker Room
As AI reshapes the classroom, world language educators have an opportunity to rethink how culture is taught. This session explores practical, intentional uses of AI that support authentic voices, multiple perspectives, and meaningful intercultural communication. Participants will leave with classroom‑ready strategies that prioritize deepening cultural understanding using Canva, Ideogram and Gemini Storybook.
Hola a todos, I am the Regional World Language Coordinator at PNW BOCES in Yorktown Heights, NY. In my role, I support World Language needs with the goal of helping every student to be successful. Let me know if you would like to discuss possible future World Language/Technology Opportunities... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT High Street 26
Mentors are often assigned, but rarely prepared. Too often, we mentor based on what we can give, not what our mentees need, leaving new teachers unsupported and mentors overwhelmed especially in a field facing declining numbers of World Language educators. This session is designed for teacher mentors seeking a clear, practical structure for year-long support. Using a three-phase framework (Launch → Support → Sustain), participants will analyze real scenarios and develop a customizable mentoring roadmap for contexts where content-specific mentorship is limited. Attendees will leave with a first-meeting conversation guide, WL-specific look-fors, and tools to support mentees effectively—without adding to their own workload.
