After teaching foreign language for 10 years, here is what I have found. I can teach a concept in class, for example the article "the" (el, la, los, las) and I can have kids do numerous activities using the concept including filling in a million blanks with the correct form of "the" in Spanish. However, what I found is that even though most students would successfully pass a quiz/test on this concept the students don't use it in the application of the language. When they start writing sentences, paragraphs, interview, etc, the students will write "la clases".
With that said, what I am hoping is that we create as many opportunities as possible in the classroom for the students to really apply the language and put it all together. Teaching individual concepts and testing singleton ideas doesn't always give a clear idea of if the students actually understand the concepts and if they can apply the concepts.
So my question to all of you is are you starting to really apply the language now in year one (with a good month behind us)? My students turned in their first essay (letter to me) yesterday. It included their name, date, the weather what they like and don't like to do in the various months/seasons, when their birthday is, etc.
Students should be creating and applying the language all the time. This also helps constantly review concepts. Even though I have taught articles, I circle them in every application when the students misuse them giving the students the opportunity to constantly review how to use articles. I would like anyone who can to share some assignment ideas to get the students applying the langage (essays, translations, interviews, etc).
