I liked how the Spanish teacher LeLoup said that her classroom talk might be the only Spanish her students heard. It made me realize how important it is for the teacher to speak in the target language as a model for what the language sounds like when spoken fluently, in addition to the beginner sentences students say aloud in class.

I really liked the article about 90% Plus - Although, I still find it challenging to stay in the target language. I do challenge my students to speak in the language and give them incentives to do so. And recently I hear students remind other students to ask or speak in the target language. I really like how they help each other to express what they want in the language.

If your students want to practice their language skills - this might be a good site: http://www.internetpolyglot.com/ It offers games, lessons, etc. in over 20 different languages.

Wanted to share with you all this article found today in an ACTFL Smartbrief...yet another great reason to learn languages! http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/01/10/169066535/speaking-more-than-one-language-could-prevent-alzheimers?ft=1&f=1028

For those interested... I have a few Pinterist boards, one is most important to me - the one on PBL in WL. Here is my page for Pinterist: http://pinterest.com/drdmd/
Best wishes to all - Don

This article gives ideas for sources of comprehensible input: http://www.everydaylanguagelearner.com/2011/06/02/24-ways-to-find-or-create-comprehensible-input/.
-- Jennifer

Thanks for sharing the Pinterest links - they are great!

Wanted to share with you all this site called the Everyday Language Learner...filled with great resources for teachers & learners! http://www.everydaylanguagelearner.com/language-learning-resources/

After reading connecting to the link shared earlier by Jennifer Reid, I found so many more great articles and helpful resources --thanks to Jen for passing that on!

Something I saw today via Edutopia...http://www.edutopia.org/john-stanford-international-school-language-immersion-video So inspiring to see a school like this in action! Makes me want to rewind the clock and attend as a kid, myself!

There's a nice article on page 30 of the February issue of California Educator about pen pals in foreign countries and across grade levels.

The BBC has some free French lessons online, including short educational videos on topics such as shopping at the market, etc. http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/. (Note that some of the videos can't be streamed outside of the U.K., but the audio is available and the video can be downloaded if you have the right software.)

I stumbled across this article while searching online for independent practice activities for my unit plan. Perhaps in solidarity we should leave those blank in our plans? Just kidding! Ha ha! http://www.npr.org/2012/12/02/166193594/pencils-down-french-plan-would-end-homework

Interesting article about respecting and encouraging sign language diversity: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/opinion/global/helping-hands.html?src=recg
- Jen