Category Archives: Reflections

Unannounced Assessment Poster

Posted on November 11, 2014 by bryankandel

All of my assessments are unannounced.  I am a passionate supporter of the value of proficiency assessments given at any time without warning.  My assessments take on many forms – reading and answering questions, listening and answering questions, writing an … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Reflections | 3 Comments

Let’s try that again

Posted on November 7, 2014 by bryankandel

Based on some recent assessments, I found that many of my students were struggling with using progressive vs. preterite tenses: estaba corriendo (he was running) vs. corrió (he ran).   As with any grammatical hangup, I had three options: move … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom activities, Reflections | Leave a comment

Who threw it at him?

Posted on August 26, 2014 by bryankandel

We’ve been using the phrase “se lo trajo” (brought it to him/her) in class.  Even after a story about a waitress bringing food to clients, I felt that I needed more reps on the concept of double pronouns.  I put … Continue reading →

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Think outside the bus

Posted on August 19, 2014 by bryankandel

Want to tell better stories? Remember The Wheels on the Bus.  My daughter and I sing it often.  We start with the traditional . . .  The wheels on the bus go round and round The baby on the bus … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories/Storytelling | 1 Comment

Storytelling Resource

Posted on April 22, 2014 by bryankandel

Donald Miller recently released a short (34 pages), free ($0) ebook called How to Tell a Story.  The book starts with some good thoughts about why stories work – why they are so effective in holding attention and communicating.  He … Continue reading →

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Yet another analogy

Posted on March 31, 2014 by bryankandel

TPRS is a lot like cheese sticks. My mother was watching our kids a few weeks ago.  My daughter, who just turned three, asked for a cheese stick as a snack.  She tends to be very specific in her requests. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Let’s lose them

Posted on March 14, 2014 by bryankandel

Have you ever been lost in a book?  Of course you have; we all have.  Have your students ever been lost in a story in class or a reading?  Do they get so caught up in the humor or the … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading, Reflections, Writing | 3 Comments

Don’t you dare . . .

Posted on February 24, 2014 by bryankandel

As I prepare for an upcoming workshop presentation, I thought I’d share a few notes here regarding the incredible opportunity we have as language teachers.  This is probably not a new idea for anyone reading this page, but it may … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | 2 Comments

We’ll know they are growing by their tweets

Posted on January 6, 2014 by bryankandel

Sub-zero temperatures have cancelled the next two days of school here in Ohio.  I took to twitter tonight to express my disappointment to students that we will have to wait a few more days to meet again in class.  Their … Continue reading →

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Reminded of the power of personalized reading

Posted on December 23, 2013 by bryankandel

Here are two readings that we used in different levels recently: La entrevista  Leonardo llegó tarde Both readings were received well, led to retention of terms and reiterate the idea that personalized reading is most effective.  As you read them, … Continue reading →

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