A proficiency-oriented approach empowers students to confidently use the language to communicate, rather than just knowing about it. By emphasizing real-world communication, this method reduces learner anxiety and increases student engagement as they feel successful using the language. This approach aligns with the NYS world language standards and it allows students to see their progress, boosting motivation and confidence. They also feel more confident to use their growing skills outside of educational settings. Join this session to learn practical strategies for implementing a proficiency-oriented approach in your classroom and developing your students’ communicative competence.
Transform your WL classroom into a space where identity drives acquisition. Using Gholdy Muhammad’s 5 Pursuits (Identity, Skills, Intellect, Criticality, Joy), we’ll explore how ASL and French students share their stories to foster belonging. Learn to build a supportive environment that empowers students to connect their backgrounds, cultures, and joy through language.
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
How do we maintain a 90%+ target language environment while ensuring students remain on task and engaged? Join a veteran educator and a NYSAFLT Novice Award winner for an intergenerational deep dive into classroom management tailored specifically for the World Language setting.
This session bridges the gap between tried and true routines and modern innovation. We will explore the foundational practices that keep a classroom running like clockwork, alongside high-engagement strategies fresh from recent training. Participants will leave with a practical toolkit designed to lower student anxiety, maximize immersion, and build a community where every student feels safe, supported, and heard.
This session will walk participants through our district's multi-year transition to proficiency-based exams, focusing on the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). We will share details on how we have managed the technical logistics of district-wide testing and prepared for implementation across several schools. Discussion will include successes and challenges, along with some considerations for schools and districts across the state.
Do you feel like you are stuck at the crossroads of old and new standards and don’t know which road is the right one to take? Join colleagues as we fire up the GPS and help you find the right route to creating assessments that work for you and your students. Together, we will walk through examples of assessments and show you how to create assessment questions of your own that push students to demonstrate their understanding and give you the information you need to guide them on their proficiency journey. We will address assessment questions in all communication modes and give you the opportunity to practice some of your own.
Josh Wigle-Harrisis a graduate of St. John Fisher University with a B.A. in Spanish and a M.S. in Special Education. He is a 7th & 8th grade Spanish teacher and serves as the World Languages Curriculum Leader at East Irondequoit Middle School. He currently serves as Director of Western New York on... Read More →
Managing the Seal of Biliteracy (SoB) often involves complex logistics that overshadow student achievement. This session offers a roadmap to transform the SoB process into an automated workflow using **Google Classroom, AI, and Google Apps Scripting**. Participants will identify key bottlenecks and learn to implement "no-code" solutions—such as automated notifications and AI-assisted data categorization—to ensure accuracy and scalability. By the end of this hour, coordinators and educators will leave with actionable strategies to reclaim their time, minimize errors, and focus on expanding equitable access to biliteracy recognition for all students.
Have you ever wondered how to get your work published in the NYSAFLT Journal? Do you have colleagues with valuable insights and experiences to share but who might not yet see themselves as potential authors? This session, led by the current journal co-editors, will demystify the publication process and outline the supportive steps available to help you publish your first article in the NYSAFLT Journal. We'll provide a detailed overview of the submission guidelines, the review process, and the resources available to assist you from initial idea to published article. Whether you're an aspiring author or simply curious about the process, bring your questions and invite your colleagues to join us for this informative and encouraging session!
UB's Institute on Teaching French is a 5-week program for those pursuing an EdM and professional certification via a three-summer track, or non-matriculated students attending for one summer. Our signature pedagogies—critical intercultural experience, place-based learning, and creative... Read More →
Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT High Street 22
There’s a growing focus on College and Career Readiness (CCR) and career-connected learning, but where do world language programs fit in? This session explores how educators can leverage language credentialing with industry recognized assessments to align language programs with CCR initiatives. We’ll examine how language proficiency credentials support college and workforce readiness, offering students a competitive edge. Attendees will gain insights into employer recognition of language skills, real-world applications, and strategies to advocate for language programs within CCR frameworks, ensuring their long-term value and sustainability.
Proficiency & Learning Specialist, Language Testing International
Language Testing International (LTI), the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, is a leader in proficiency-based language teaching and learning. ACTFL assessments maintain stringent levels of rigor and reliability that ensure a valid measure of communicative skills, recognized by K12 and higher... Read More →
Friday October 16, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT Shaker Room
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 showcase highlights the curiosity and creativity of undergraduate students from diverse fields such as education, psychology, biology, and health sciences, and more. Through their research and projects, students explore new ideas, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world. Just as cultural awareness grows one language at a time, these projects show how students build knowledge, insight, and connections one discovery at a time.
This session will provide practical, classroom-ready strategies to increase student speaking and writing from novice low to intermediate high. Participants will explore engaging, proficiency-aligned activities that lower student anxiety, promote risk-taking, build confidence in interpersonal and presentational communication, and make your job easier!
Through modeling and interactive practice, attendees will experience techniques such as structured speaking routines, scaffolded writing tasks, and communicative activities that prioritize meaning over perfection. Special attention will be given to creating a classroom environment that supports sustained target language use while remaining accessible to all learners.
This workshop and facilitated discussion invites World Language Educators to explore dynamic approaches and activities to spark joy with their students and strengthen their interpersonal speaking skills. Participants will engage with classroom ready activities (examples in Spanish and English) that bring language learning to life while providing students the ability to foster community and build on cultural learning both in and beyond the classroom. This session highlights practical examples such as incorporating culturally authentic recipes, exploring local New York City cultural field trips and curating personalized International travel experiences for students. Educators will leave with adaptable strategies that will motivate students to speak, broaden their cultural confidence and inspire authentic communication.
Upper-level language classes should be dynamic, culturally rich, and proficiency-driven. This session explores practical, classroom-tested strategies to keep Checkpoint C students engaged through the use of authentic resources such as films, articles, podcasts, and social media. Participants will examine adaptable lesson frameworks that promote spontaneous communication, higher-order thinking, and cultural inquiry, and will leave with ready-to-implement strategies to support advanced learners, including those pursuing college credit or the NYS Seal of Biliteracy.
HS Spanish teacher, Bethlehem Central School Distric
HS Spanish teacher with a passion for languages and culture. I love to travel, sing and dance badly, and just enjoy life. Webmaster of @Natashalagata1, the most beautiful feline Spanish teacher in New York. I also post as myself in @profeeled.
This interactive session will explore activities that increase student communication while intentionally building a strong classroom community. Participants will participate in ready-to-use strategies that engage students in all modes of communication—Interpretive, Interpersonal and Presentational—while encouraging collaboration, friendly competition and shared responsibility for learning. Attendees will leave with adaptable, low-prep activities and practical strategies they can implement right away to foster engagement, confidence, and connection while promoting proficiency-driven instruction.
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Adolescent Spanish Education, and an Master's Degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from SUNY Albany. I have been teaching Spanish at Bay Shore Middle School for 9 years, and have taught all levels of Dual Language (6, 7, 8), Spanish... Read More →
Have you ever thought about hosting a student teacher but were afraid of the time commitment? Join us as we chat about the value of supporting future language educators and to explore the opportunities available at local universities to work with student teachers. Participants will walk away with a newfound understanding of how collaborating with a student teacher can be both empowering and possibly the best world language PD ever.
Teaching Level 1 Spanish is often associated with novice middle school learners who are being introduced to a new language for the first time. At the high school level, however, many students enrolled in a Level 1 course tend to be learners who have previously struggled in a traditional world language setting and may not have achieved baseline proficiency. These students often enter the classroom with significant learning gaps, low confidence, and a belief that success in a second language is out of reach. This engaging and practical workshop will explore the unique instructional, emotional, and motivational needs of struggling and non-traditional language learners. Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources, differentiated instructional strategies, and interactive classroom activities designed to increase engagement, build student confidence, and promote meaningful language acquisition. Presenters will share successful approaches for creating a supportive classroom environment where all students can experience growth and success in the world language classroom.
Hello all, my name is Kyle Davis. I am a dedicated high school Spanish teacher in my fifth year of teaching 9th and 10th grade. As a heritage speaker and former student in a bilingual education program, I bring a deep personal connection to language learning. I hold a bachelor’s... Read More →
This interactive workshop is designed for world language teachers seeking to deepen student engagement and proficiency through an art unit at the Checkpoint B level. Grounded in the three modes of communication—interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational—participants will explore practical, classroom-ready strategies that bring art, culture, and language together in meaningful ways.
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.
Discover how engaging with professional organizations such as LILT Inc., NYSAFLT, ACTFL, AATs and NECTFL can elevate both your teaching practice and your students’ experiences. This session will highlight the wide range of benefits available through membership, including high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, leadership opportunities, and advocacy.
Participants will also explore the powerful opportunities these organizations provide for students, such as national exams, scholarships, honor societies, and cultural competitions. Walk away with practical strategies to get involved, increase student engagement, and bring meaningful recognition and enrichment opportunities into your world language program.
No time, funding, or chaperones for an in-person, real-world trip to a museum with your students? Don’t fret! A museum fantasy trip can be just the ticket! In this session, we will explore ways to design a thematic unit around a virtual visit to any exhibit – real or imaged. Participants will consider ways to incorporate cultural products, practices, and perspectives into a standards-based unit that incorporates the three modes of communication for students at any proficiency level. A model virtual visit to the Museo del Oro in Bogotá, Colombia, will be shared and there will be time for participants to brainstorm a fantasy trip for use in their own classrooms. Come join the tour!
K-12 ChairWorld and Classical Language Department, The Dalton School
I always knew I would be a teacher. My mom is a teacher and I grew up around red marking pens, gradebooks, and worksheets. But it wasn’t until 7th grade that I knew what I wanted to teach. That first day of Spanish class when Señor jumped up on a desk and started singing in Sp... Read More →
Multilingual families bring rich linguistic, cultural, and experiential assets to school communities, yet these strengths are often overlooked or framed as challenges. This session explores how educators and organizations can partner with multilingual families to intentionally build cultural capital through language, positioning home languages as powerful resources for learning, identity development, and belonging. Session highlights how schools can shift from deficit-based narratives to collaborative models that elevate family knowledge and lived experience. Attendees will learn strategies for fostering trust, shared leadership, and inclusive communication across languages and cultures.
Executive Director Capital Region RBERN, former Director of World Languages and ENL for Guilderland Schools, Spanish Teacher, Assistant Principal, Language lover and Bilingual advocate.
Friday October 16, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT High Street 24
How do students acquire language, and how do they learn to read? Language acquisition and Literacy development are distinct but complementary processes. This session explores what research reveals about natural language acquisition and learning to read. Teachers will gain a clearer picture of how literacy development and language acquisition connect, along with strategies to support learners’ oral language, reading skills, and overall proficiency in world language, dual language, heritage, or English development classrooms.
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. The company publishes instructional tools grounded in an understanding of language acquisition... Read More →
All Things IPAs (6-12): In this interactive workshop, we will dive into the process of creating and executing Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs) for world language classrooms. In this session, attendees will learn how to effectively design tasks that assess all three modes of communication—Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational—using authentic materials. We’ll explore how to align these tasks with ACTFL standards to ensure they reflect real-world language use and proficiency levels. Through examples and open discussions, the audience will gain insights into crafting tasks that are engaging and also provide meaningful assessments of your students' language abilities.
This panel discussion will bring together four World Language teachers who have implemented standards-based or equitable grading approaches in their classrooms. Panelists will share their journeys, experiences, and some practical strategies. Whether you are just curious about grading systems or looking to refine your established equitable approach, this session will inspire ways to develop students’ growth mindset in your classroom. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable ideas to promote student confidence, motivation, and their language proficiency.
Pamela Stano is an engaging Spanish educator. She holds a B.S. in Spanish & Secondary Education from SUNY Oswego and a Masters of Spanish Education from Binghamton University. Currently teaching Spanish 1 &3 at Tully Junior-Senior High School, she brings over a decade of experience... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT Fort Orange 7
This session will address issues relevant to teacher preparation programs such as the culminating performance assessments, NYSED updates, recruitment, retention of new teachers, curriculum, assessment, standards, K-16 articulation, world language methodology, and more. Open to all who are interested, especially full-time and adjunct faculty in higher education, this roundtable provides an opportunity to brainstorm ideas, share solutions and to continue important dialogue in the profession.
UB's Institute on Teaching French is a 5-week program for those pursuing an EdM and professional certification via a three-summer track, or non-matriculated students attending for one summer. Our signature pedagogies—critical intercultural experience, place-based learning, and creative... Read More →
Young learners deserve to see themselves reflected in the languages and histories they explore. This session presents the “Little Eyes Framework,” a three-phase inquiry model that uses narrative, sensory engagement, and student agency to deepen comprehension and foster a sense of belonging in K–5 world language and multilingual classrooms.
In this workshop, I will demonstrate how podcasts in the target language can be used not only for interpretive communication and cultural exploration, but also to engage students in the interpersonal and presentational modes. Participants will explore how to select appropriate podcasts for learners at all proficiency levels and will receive a step-by-step guide to implementing a tertulia-style activity. This includes creating key vocabulary lists, summary slides, and scaffolded discussion questions aligned to different Depths of Knowledge (DOK) levels.
Steven Lopez received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish and his master’s degree in Secondary Education from SUNY Albany. He also holds a master’s degree in Spanish Linguistics from Middlebury College and is a National Board-Certified Teacher as of December 2021. He has been a... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT High Street 24
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 →
Have an idea for a research project and want to explore the MEAD Fellowship? This session guides World Language educators through developing a clear, competitive proposal. Participants will explore key components of a strong project, including research questions, rationale, and feasibility. The session highlights common pitfalls and effective strategies for aligning projects with MEAD expectations, drawing on the presenter’s experience developing a MEAD research proposal and navigating the application process.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Josh Wigle-Harrisis a graduate of St. John Fisher University with a B.A. in Spanish and a M.S. in Special Education. He is a 7th & 8th grade Spanish teacher and serves as the World Languages Curriculum Leader at East Irondequoit Middle School. He currently serves as Director of Western New York on... Read More →
When technology fails, instruction doesn’t have to. This interactive session equips world language educators with quick, no-tech strategies to sustain proficiency-based, communicative learning. Aligned to ACTFL standards, participants experience adaptable routines, explore real-time decision-making, and leave with ready-to-use activities and a personalized pivot plan to maintain meaningful communication anytime.
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
Using concrete classroom examples, this presentation demonstrates the ways in which AI tools and platforms can reinforce language learning. In its discussion, it also underscores the ethical, environmental, and pedagogical risks of GenAI. It ultimately suggests that when used strategically and intentionally with teacher oversight, GenAI can serve as a flexible, time-efficient tool that expands the possibilities of second language instruction.
Tired of Word/Docs sending images two towns over when you insert them? Want multiple versions of quizzes and tests in an easier/visible format? Need ONE place for everything at your fingertips *including* audio? Come to see how all this can happen using Google Slides as a document creator!
(All materials shown will be shared and editable.)
Teacher and Instructional Technology Support, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Meredith White is a high school Spanish teacher, university instructor, and high school instructional technology coach in Gwinnett County, Metro Atlanta, Georgia. She was the 2019 Peachtree Ridge High School Teacher of the Year, the 2020 Georgia World Language Teacher of the Year... Read More →
This presentation will explain the processes used to obtain readers and novels and implement a free choice reading (FCR) program at the intermediate leveled classes. Pre and post activities will be explained as they help support the program and the learners’ experiences. Participants will discuss the pros and cons of student accountability through such a classroom routine.
We invite you to come find out about our Leaders of Tomorrow. Come see what our current and former participants say about the program. This is a perfect opportunity to chat if you are interested in joining our program. If you’re a former participant, stop by to share your leadership trajectory with our new leaders. This is a panel discussion.
NYSAFLT 2024 President FLNNYL Vice-President FOR LEADERS OF NORTHERN NEW YORK LANGUAGES is a regional organization representing the world language community of the North Country.
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT High Street 22
Join us for an engaging conversation about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This is part of a new series of sessions supported by NECTFL, ACTFL, and NYSAFLT and other State Organizations to create spaces for dialogue and to share stories. This is a space for listening, reflection, and mutual support to give voice to our experiences. Feel free to bring a friend. All are welcome.
So you have a Seal of Biliteracy program, but now you want to grow it in a manageable and sustainable way. How do you go about doing this? This workshop will share 10 easy steps to develop a streamlined program for maximal growth by leveraging existing resources and staff. Special attention will be paid to effective student recruitment and support, culminating project design and evaluation, and staff training. Following the presentation of various strategies, participants will work in small groups to develop their own plan to begin supercharging their Seal of Biliteracy program the very next week!
In this session, we will explore a hands-on step by step guide to the TRTW Strategy in the World Language classroom. We will discuss how this strategy/routine can help students master dense rigorous curriculum, negotiate meaning from peers, and develop independent thinking and literacy skills in a safe environment.
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 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT Fort Orange 9
What does a Comprehensible Input (CI) classroom look like every day? This interactive workshop demonstrates simple weekly routines that create meaningful communication in the target language. Participants will experience activities such as Calendar Talk, Special Person Interviews, Music Wednesday, Tasty Thursday, and Fun Friday. Through live demonstrations and reflection, teachers will see how predictable routines foster engagement, personalization, and repeated exposure to high-frequency language. Participants will leave with practical ideas for structuring a week of engaging, low-prep CI instruction.
Join us to explore how Special Education and World Language expertise combine to create inclusive classrooms where all learners thrive.
In this session, we'll share strategies that helped our students—particularly those new to language learning—succeed with confidence and joy. Discover how our Special Education and Spanish teachers collaborated to bridge disciplines and support diverse learners using best practices from both fields.
You'll learn the critical distinction between accommodations and modifications, and walk away with practical, ready-to-implement techniques for welcoming ALL students into your world language classroom. This session demonstrates that best practices from both fields aren't just compatible—they're transformative.
Are you wondering how your World Language Department can best meet the needs for both Heritage Learners and ELLs? If you are, then this workshop is for you! In this workshop we will share the steps taken to initiate programs and courses that are designed to best address the needs of Heritage Learners and ELLs in the World Language Classroom. In this workshop curricula, activities, and strategies designed and implemented in our Spanish Language Arts Program and Heritage Spanish Program will be shared as well as what we did to get courses and programs approved to support the academic success of a growing subgroup of our student population. We will also share details and the adjustments we have made while implementing the SLA program.
World Language Department Chairperson | LILT Conference Site Chair, Longwood Central School District
Chairperson of World Languages at Longwood High School7 years teaching Presenter at LILT 2023 and 2024 Presenter at NECTFL 2025 Presenter at PNW BOCES World Language Conference 2025 Masters in the Teaching of Spanish as a Foreign Language from the International University of Valencia ... Read More →
Karla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Hispanic Languages and Literature from Stony Brook University. Additionally, Karla is certified to teach Spanish for grades 6 through 12 and has a degree in American Sign Lang... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT High Street 24
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.
Students of language rely on the brain's ability to process and make meaning from sounds in order to acquire the language they are learning. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), sometimes referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), is a neurological condition that affects how the brain interprets and processes sounds, thus impacting how a student acquires language. During this presentation, a doctor of Audiology and a French teacher will introduce teachers to the types of processing challenges that students with this disorder may face and describe classroom modifications to assist with comprehension and production of the target language.
Step away from the screen and rediscover the power of the classic composition notebook. Unlock the potential of interactive notebooks in the language classroom to boost student engagement, foster creativity, and enhance language retention. This session will explore innovative ways to integrate interactive notebooks into your teaching practice, providing students with hands-on learning experiences that support vocabulary acquisition, grammar understanding, and cultural exploration. Participants will discover practical strategies for organizing content, assessing student progress, and incorporating multimedia elements. Join us to learn how to transform your language into dynamic, student-centered learning adventures.
Carina is certified to teach Spanish to grades one through 12 and hold a Master’s degree in Spanish literature and grammar. She has been teaching since 2008, and is currently in her sixth year teaching Spanish in the Long Beach school district. Since starting her career, she has... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT Shaker Room
This interactive session will provide world language teachers with a flexible toolkit of fun, engaging activities to boost student participation. Participants will experience a variety of strategies ranging from quick, 5 minute brain breaks to low or no prep games and more structured activities. All activities are designed to keep students using the language while building energy and confidence. Attendees will actively participate in all games and activities, leaving with ready to use ideas that can be adapted for any language or level.
French teacher Bay Shore Middle School, NYSAFLT Secretary/Treasurer, Newspaper Club Advisor. I love to present at conferences and share ideas with my colleagues. I am passionate about making my classes fun and engaging!
Spanish Teacher | NYSAFLT President, Bay Shore UFSD
Wendy earned a B.A in Hispanic Language and Literature and a M.A in Liberal Studies from SUNY Stony Brook. She has presented workshops for LILT, NYSAFLT, NECTFL, and ACTFL in addition to serving as the lead organizer for EdCamp WL LI. She has previously been named “Best of NY... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT High Street 22
Why do students shut down during interpersonal tasks? Even after plenty of practice and review, students struggle to respond. This session explores the hidden role of cognitive load in spontaneous communication and how it disproportionately impacts intermediate learners. Through interactive examples and classroom-tested activities, participants will learn how to lower the processing demands of conversations without lowering expectations. Walk away with practical tools to help students stay present, respond more fluidly, and build conversational endurance across languages.
