Conference in the Cloud for World Language Teachers

Reviews

1. 

   Carmen – August 21, 2016

   I learned so much about TPR and TPRS in three days thanks to Express Fluency. By participating in the classes as a student and then as an observer, I was able to witness firsthand the language learning process and later reflect on the method with other language educators. All three teachers were phenomenal: clear, organized, and engaging. I also appreciated the warm classroom environment, especially when participants were given the opportunity to try out the method on each other. Thank you!

2. 

   Claire Lefferts – August 22, 2016

   I am so glad I attended Express Fluency’s Latin teacher training and stayed an extra day to participate as a student in the French class! Justin ignited his Latin class and demonstrated so many TPRS skills for us to learn. During teacher debriefs it was wonderful to discuss with other teachers the application of this method to our beloved ‘dead’ language, with all the expectations that are placed on Latin teachers. During the French class, I was able to get a taste of being on the other said as Sabrina utilized the same techniques with her own personal variations. Being able to both watch and then participate was crucial, because I now understand not only the techniques being employed but what it feels like to be the student. This will affect how I interact with my students and make sure I’m maintaining comprehensibility. I must also add that Elissa was a great facilitator, available for questions and offering resources to us. For three days I was in a great community. I hope to be able to attend next year to continue to develop my CI and TPRS skills.

3. 

   Johnny Lee Conroy – September 10, 2016

   The teacher training was an exciting introduction to TPRS and a community of learners and teachers. Being able to experience it as a student, and then review that experience with other teachers was a brilliant way to internalize the theory and practice. Shortly after the training I had the chance to try out the methodology in a week-long language class that I taught. My students knew something new and exciting was going on and they were engaged and energized. We all had a great time, and learned some Irish to boot.

   Learning the methodology works regardless of the language you teach. In my case it’s Irish (one of the Gaelic tongues) and it has proven to be immediately applicable, even though most of the literature, examples and other written resources are demonstrated using Spanish, French or Mandarin.

   I am fortunate to live in Brattleboro where I have easy access to the Express Fluency gang. I’m very much looking forward to where we go with this.

4. 

   Joy Wilson – September 11, 2016

   This past spring, I observed another language teacher use TPRS/CI and instantly wanted to use it in my classroom, but didn’t know where to begin. Luckily, I found Express Fluency! I attended the August teacher training and was astounded at how much Spanish I knew after the first day. The method is fun, engaging, and teaches you without actually realizing you are learning. All the trainers were wonderful and so helpful. I also thoroughly enjoyed the methodology part of the training. It gave me the confidence to integrate TPRS on day 1 of the new school year. I highly recommend Express Fluency for teachers and students alike!

5. 

   Victoria Heflin – September 18, 2016

   I had seen and read about the TPRS and comprehensible input method of foreign language teaching, and was interested in the weekend program. It was incredible to me how much Spanish I learned and was actually able to use on just day one! Our classroom was filled with people from all different backgrounds, all ages, together in one comfortable learning community. All of the teachers at Express Fluency are amazing and it is obvious from the first minute that they love what they do. During the teacher training portion of the program, they practiced with us and answered all of our questions. There is no doubt that they are excited to bring the TPRS/CI method to as many teachers as possible!
   The weekend was so energizing for me as a French teacher! I have been able to share this enthusiasm with my students and have been using TPRS/CI ever since. My students report that they are having fun, look forward to more stories and that I should “keep it up!” I will definitely be looking into more training at Express Fluency.

6. 

   Viviana Hardy – January 16, 2017

   I learned about CI/TPRS last summer when I was desperately looking for a different way to teach Spanish to my 8th grade students. I read all I could find but needed some face-to-face training. That’s when I came across Express Fluency and Elissa. What a find! I participated in the weekend program in August and the Follow-Up Workshop in the fall. The teacher training allowed me to experience firsthand what my students must feel when confronted with a new language, when I was a student in Sabrina’s French class. And I had the chance to observe Elissa and Laurie using the same techniques (movie-talk, readers-theater, etc) with their own personal touches in their Spanish classes. The Follow-Up Workshop was an excellent opportunity to learn and share experiences with other language teachers as well as to learn and practice new and known techniques. Both experiences were awesome and left me feeling energized and if not ready (lots of trepidation as to “will I be able to pull it off”) to try it out on my students.

   I can report that this school year has been a totally different experience for me and my students. They are spontaneously trying to speak Spanish both in class and outside. They are having fun and acquiring the language without even realizing they are doing so.

   I highly recommend Express Fluency teacher training.

7. 

   Heather Way – August 16, 2017

   WOW. What a productive and invigorating week! This is one of the best teacher trainings I’ve done and I would highly recommend it. I’ve never been so excited to get back into the classroom in the fall so I can start implementing some of the techniques I gleaned during this training week. To see master teachers in action was a privilege. I hope I can attend this workshop in the future.

8. 

   Jeronimo Garrigues – August 16, 2017

   What a wonderful experience was to participate in this teachers training! Being able to observe a real classroom situation and then being able to talk about the different techniques was very enriching and, one week later, I am still trying to absorb/learn all that I experienced during this workshop. The presenters showed a clear understanding and gave clear steps about how to teach a language using Comprehensible Input. Beyond that, they showed a deep commitment to excel in what they do and a deep respect and care for the students. Very inspiring! I encourage all language teacher to attend a workshop. There is so much to assimilate that I am planning to be there next time! THANK YOU!

9. 

   Megan Hughes – August 18, 2017

   I had a tremendous time at the teacher training last week. It was inspiring. I really appreciate the time and effort that was put into organizing such a well run conference and I especially appreciate the speakers you recruited to present. I attended Dustin, Annabelle and Justin’s sessions. all were beyond inspiring as well as generous and smart. and my daughter loved the language classes. I am excited to start my school year after such a great training provided by Express Fluency.

10. 

    Adriana C. – August 24, 2017

    I have been practicing Ci for a while but I still found so many useful things this week, from how to organize my classes to become better at PQA, slowing down and teaching CI to upper levels. Also, what it was more relevant to me to me was that this conference was small enough that you could ask many questions to the presenters and you will run into them in the dining hall so it felt very cozy and that you connect to them. The sample classes in the morning gave you a true glimpse and what the flow of a real classroom could be. I brushed up on my French and learn some Latin. Papae!!!

11. 

    Rachel Kirtley – August 15, 2019

    This conference is wonderful! It is small enough to feel like a real community, but large enough to attract truly masterful teachers. I feel so lucky to have been able to observe and learn from some of the best language teachers in the country at this conference. I have attended this conference twice now (once in 2017, and this year in 2019), and both times I have returned home reinvigorated for a new school year, and confident in my skills as a language teacher. Thank you!

12. 

    Rondi McGill – July 28, 2020

    I am so grateful I was able to attend this conference. I was not only able to observe a live language class but I was able to be on the other end as a student. I became familiar with different apps and technology that I never even knew existed. I also was shown different things that can be done with that technology. I truly got my cake and got to eat it, too!

13. 

    Carmen Centeno – August 5, 2020

    One of the best conferences I have been to. Amazing engaging knowledgeable presenters. This was an eye opening and refreshing experience for me. I cannot thank all the presenters enough for what they did 🙂
    My students are going to learn CI I already know it
    Thank you all

14. 

    Molly – April 9, 2021

    This was an AWESOME virtual conference. I learned SO much in the CI Adult German class. It was humbling to be a student-learner in a language that I do not know. After the first class…I was dreaming in German! CI really does work for language acquisition. I also use so many of the tips/tricks that I learned during the conference for my virtual classroom this year. Thank you to everyone who put this together.

15. 

    Melanie – January 23, 2022

    I have attended a number of the summer conferences organized by Express Fluency, both in person and in the cloud. Every time, they are an encouragement to me both personally and professionally. I leave refreshed from having spent time with like-minded world language teachers from all over the country, renewed in my commitment to provide comprehensible input for my students using research-based “best practices”, and reinvigorated by fresh ideas on how to engage my students and help them to grow in proficiency. The presenters are experts in the field and the opportunity to watch them teach real students, to participate as a learner in their class, and to observe and debrief afterwards in a variety of languages is so valuable. It truly helps me to remember what it’s like to be a language learner and we get that chance during this conference. Personally, my favorite part is the opportunity to connect “outside of” the workshops and classes. There have been times even in the online conference such as the lunch time meetings to do this and evening activities, and it is invaluable. Every year there are new presenters, new workshops, and timely topics in addition to “old favorites” that never actually get old. This is one conference I plan to keep on attending every year!