What to expect
The presentations and workshops I offer are rooted in turning theory into practice and come from my own experiences in the classroom. They are specifically oriented to provide tried and true resources that teachers can take directly to their own classrooms.
|
What a presentation with me is like
Enthusiastic and encouraging, with an emphasis on moving learning theory to classroom practice. Honest, down-to-earth, and full of real-world examples. Songs, charades and general silliness are always a possibility.
|
What you’re like (aka teacher rockstars)
You’re interested in authentic resources and excited about bringing a cultural dimension into the language classroom. You’re curious about trying something new, and you believe in the ability of any student to achieve proficiency and have a good time doing it.
|
Satisfied workshop attendees
"Julia Koch worked with our World Language Department over the course of several weeks during the start of the 2021-22 school year. She is incredibly knowledgeable, resourceful, and has great ideas to share. We were able to analyze readers & resources as a department under Ms. Koch's leadership. It was eye-opening to work with Ms. Koch and see the many perspectives we can all learn from. I highly recommend working with Ms. Koch."
~Noemi Rodriguez-Grimshaw, District Supervisor of World Languages, ESL, Music & FACS, Pascack Valley Regional High School District
~Noemi Rodriguez-Grimshaw, District Supervisor of World Languages, ESL, Music & FACS, Pascack Valley Regional High School District
"Julia spent a great deal of time putting together an ideal presentation for my teachers. Her day-long workshop on inquiry-based learning was just what we needed to move towards getting rid of our textbooks and increase the investment of our students in their own language and culture acquisition."
~Rosemarie Armstrong, Supervisor of World Languages and ESL, Washington Township Public Schools
~Rosemarie Armstrong, Supervisor of World Languages and ESL, Washington Township Public Schools
Topics
Intercultural competence
Intercultural competence is just as important for language learners as linguistic competence--but where to begin? Luckily, we already have all the tools we need to enhance students’ intercultural competence. Participants will leave the workshop with a set of activities appropriate for all levels of linguistic and cultural proficiency!
Data-driven instruction
How can you understand and quantify what your students are learning? In this workshop, teachers will learn how to assess performance- and proficiency-based assessments and quantify data in order to improve the efficacy of day-to-day instruction. Rubric samples and guided practice with student work samples will increase teachers' confidence in their abilities to gather data and act on their findings. Let's break down all of the buzzwords and confidently teach and assess for true, real-world learning!
Inquiry-based learning
Inquiry-based learning is a popular educational technique, and with good reason; studies show that students are significantly more likely to take ownership of learning and retain information when asked to solve a problem. However, language instruction often seems incongruous with such open-ended, student-centered learning. Inquiry-based learning is within the grasp of language learners from novice to advanced, and students will benefit from a sense of increased responsibility of their own language learning. This workshop defines inquiry-based learning for the purposes of a language class and provide samples of techniques, activities and resources to increase student critical thinking at every linguistic level.
Resource Audits and Diversity Inventory
We use so many resources in our curricula and they come from everywhere. This workshop guides teachers through a diversity inventory in which they critically analyze the resources they currently use, identify gaps in the voices centered in their curricular offerings, and plan steps--both large and small--to increase the representation of minoritized groups in their resources and activities. Teachers will leave with confidence in the resources that have made the cut and information to find high-quality resources for use in their units.
Authentic resources (finding, using and curating)
It is a fabulous time to be a language teacher--we have so many authentic resources at our fingertips! Unfortunately, sifting through these resources can feel like drinking from a fire hose; there is so much to choose from that the choice can feel paralyzing. Teachers will walk out of this workshop with methods for finding and curating authentic resources, as well as creating activities and tasks that are level-appropriate for novice through intermediate-high learners.
Vocabulary on the path to proficiency
Vocabulary is a constant in language classrooms. But what are we asking our students to do with the words they learn? By focusing on proficiency as a goal for vocabulary learning, teachers can create interesting and meaningful opportunities for students to expand their lexicons and to better use the words they already know. Participants will leave with a set of tried-and-tested activities that they can use to empower their students and increase proficiency!
Grammar in context
Drill-and-kill is not an ideal way to learn the structures of a language. We know that, but what do we do instead? This workshop establishes the parameters of language acquisition and models the PACE lesson, the process by which students are exposed to a structure and create and test their own hypotheses to begin using it independently. Participants will have the opportunity to create a lesson on the structure of their choice!
Intercultural competence is just as important for language learners as linguistic competence--but where to begin? Luckily, we already have all the tools we need to enhance students’ intercultural competence. Participants will leave the workshop with a set of activities appropriate for all levels of linguistic and cultural proficiency!
Data-driven instruction
How can you understand and quantify what your students are learning? In this workshop, teachers will learn how to assess performance- and proficiency-based assessments and quantify data in order to improve the efficacy of day-to-day instruction. Rubric samples and guided practice with student work samples will increase teachers' confidence in their abilities to gather data and act on their findings. Let's break down all of the buzzwords and confidently teach and assess for true, real-world learning!
Inquiry-based learning
Inquiry-based learning is a popular educational technique, and with good reason; studies show that students are significantly more likely to take ownership of learning and retain information when asked to solve a problem. However, language instruction often seems incongruous with such open-ended, student-centered learning. Inquiry-based learning is within the grasp of language learners from novice to advanced, and students will benefit from a sense of increased responsibility of their own language learning. This workshop defines inquiry-based learning for the purposes of a language class and provide samples of techniques, activities and resources to increase student critical thinking at every linguistic level.
Resource Audits and Diversity Inventory
We use so many resources in our curricula and they come from everywhere. This workshop guides teachers through a diversity inventory in which they critically analyze the resources they currently use, identify gaps in the voices centered in their curricular offerings, and plan steps--both large and small--to increase the representation of minoritized groups in their resources and activities. Teachers will leave with confidence in the resources that have made the cut and information to find high-quality resources for use in their units.
Authentic resources (finding, using and curating)
It is a fabulous time to be a language teacher--we have so many authentic resources at our fingertips! Unfortunately, sifting through these resources can feel like drinking from a fire hose; there is so much to choose from that the choice can feel paralyzing. Teachers will walk out of this workshop with methods for finding and curating authentic resources, as well as creating activities and tasks that are level-appropriate for novice through intermediate-high learners.
Vocabulary on the path to proficiency
Vocabulary is a constant in language classrooms. But what are we asking our students to do with the words they learn? By focusing on proficiency as a goal for vocabulary learning, teachers can create interesting and meaningful opportunities for students to expand their lexicons and to better use the words they already know. Participants will leave with a set of tried-and-tested activities that they can use to empower their students and increase proficiency!
Grammar in context
Drill-and-kill is not an ideal way to learn the structures of a language. We know that, but what do we do instead? This workshop establishes the parameters of language acquisition and models the PACE lesson, the process by which students are exposed to a structure and create and test their own hypotheses to begin using it independently. Participants will have the opportunity to create a lesson on the structure of their choice!
