Proficiency-Based Instruction for the First-Year World Language Classroom

Important Update: Though this book represented the most thorough vision of World Language teaching that we had in 2017-18, Tina has gone on to reorganize and reconceptualize how she recommends organizing the instructional cycles, in her new book, Stepping Stones Beyond Year One. Thus, you might be interested in purchasing Stepping Stones Beyond Year One, which can be used as a curriculum for the first year as well as upper-levels, using the “Catch-Up Tracks” provided in the book.

Stepping Stones Beyond Year One presents a similarly student-centered approach to language teaching, with the addition of being organized into instructional cycles organized around genre-based literacy work in Description, Narration, Information, and Opinion/Argumentation. This new vision of what is possible in language teaching might be of interest to you, and so you are recommended to check out the new book by following this link.

Of course, if you purchase Stepping Stones Beyond Year Oneand decide that the new book isn’t for you, you can always request a refund and then purchase Year One: A Natural Approach to the Year with your savings. But I think that Beyond Year One is such an exciting new vision for language teaching that you might decide that is how you want to proceed.

If you do decide to purchase Year One: A Natural Approach to the Year, I can assure you that many, many teachers before you have found it a very useful guide to the first year of language instruction. You will most likely enjoy using it very much. It has transformed many teachers’ classrooms and is beloved by many.

Make this school year your simplest, most productive ever. Have a coach on your desk, holding your hand and giving you the next steps day by day. Pep talks, encouragement, and helping you to see around the bends ahead in your school year.

Ideal for a self-study, with cycles of self-reflection and self-administered professional development for the teacher. Use it alone or work with a colleague or Professional Learning Community to turn your day job into a yearlong workshop.

Make this year a time of tremendous professional growth for you, using this book day-by-day to propel you into a higher velocity as a proficiency-based teacher. Whether you are just starting out or a longtime teacher looking to simplify your preparation and hone your skills, this book will guide you day by day, week by week, and cycle by cycle through the year.

You can stop looking for the next activity to engage your students, stop the hours of digging through strategies, and rest yourself for a time with us, working alongside us through a year of simplifying your professional life. We think this is quite simply the finest proficiency-based professional development material yet produced.