Spanish Alphabet Pronunciation Guide

Try this screencast to work on the alphabet. http://www.screenr.com/vKWs

New survey

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEVCRWxYMzB1dXNlcGJON0hiTXR6X1E6MQ Check out my latest survey.

JotForm.com

Here is a new tool that can be used to create forms that can be used in class. You can customize them or use pre-created settings. It is quick and simple. It is free up to a certain size limit. Check out my form below!

A new google tool for foreign language...

Did you read about the new google search keyboard? This looks like it will be a great help! Check out this link. http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/69715.aspx

Ideas for teaching reflexive verbs....

So we're working on reflexive verbs right now in Spanish II. I've been looking for a fun way to get some good real world practice with these strutures. While I was checking my reader account, I came across this article that looked like it might have some ideas worth trying. http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/69715.aspx What do you do to make reflexive verbs memorable?

A search for a Spanish nodictionaries.com.......

As I was reading through my feeds yesterday, I got really excited about an entry on a colleague's blog. She had mentioned how useful a new site is. It is called NoDictionaries.com. As I read through her blog, I was thinking of more and more applications of this program for my class. Then I went ahead and clicked on the link to the original blog where my colleague found this program. I read that blog entry as well. Finally at the bottom, I found a link for this intriguing program. AHHHH! It is a site designed for Latin only, not Spanish! Does anyone out there know of anything similar for Spanish? A quick Google search didn't pull up anything useful. If you know of a program/site that can do the same thing for Spanish, please share.

The risk of fossilization in language acquisition....

I read this article tonight about the risks of fossilization in language acquisition. http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/63102.aspx As I read, I was thinking, "Great. Two of the top risks my students inherit as soon as they enter my classroom!" The article talks about commonly known research that shows that once a child hits puberty, it's more difficult to learn a language. In addition, it highlights the fact that my students are going to hit a brick wall because they are learning Spanish in a classroom in Ohio instead of in a Spanish speaking country. I thought it was interesting that they also included this reason on their list: some people just can't get past their native language paradigm to learn a new one. The author also mentioned how even living in a native speaking country for decades may not help this type of person overcome the risk of fossilization. I can only hope to make my students' language learning experiences as authentic as possible!