- Happy New Year! -  

At this point in the year, your Vitamin D level should be almost recharged - which can only mean one thing: time to go back to school!

Below, you will find some helpful hints for a successful start to the school year!

1. REGISTER for the ACTFL/MaFLA Conference - November 19-21!  You can do this right from the MaFLA home page.  **While at the conference - check out the many sessions presented by MaFLA members and board members - including a "Tips" session on Saturday: 

   Tiesa Graf (South Hadley High School) Tiesa’s Tips for Teachers  Scheduled Time: Sat, Nov 20 - 5:15pm - 6:15pm, Building/Room: Hynes Convention
   Center / Room 101   {unabashed plug... :) }

2. It's important to invest the time at the beginning of the year to develop a classroom community. After all, you will be working together all year! Encourage students to know each others names and explore what they have in common. This can be accomplished with simple ice breakers (check out: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson196.shtml ) many of which can be done in the target language!

3.  I like to hand out a personal info survey on the first or second day. I explain that I'd prefer to sit down with each student to get to know him/her better so that I am better able to work with them and help them to learn - but time just doesn't permit. So I use a questionnaire. I include many questions (sometimes it is two pages long!) and I ask about learning styles, family, behavioral issues, interests, past language learning experience, hopes/goals for the year, etc. I explain that the information is confidential and optional - but the more they share, the more I'll be able to help them! Before I hand it out - I take 2-5 minutes sharing about myself, my background, travel experience, my love of teaching, education, family, my cats :), etc. (if you'd like a copy of a sample questionnaire - email me at tgraf@shschools.com - I can mail it out the first week of September.)
4.   Use the target language, use the target language, use the target language. Set the precedent early! Push yourself this year! My goal is to use the target language in class 90% of the time.... what's yours?                         
5. Be clear, be fair and take deep breaths often! YOU know what you want students to be able to do - express your expectations clearly, then repeat and repeat... and repeat! Reflect on fairness - your rules, expectations and assignment/assessment types... set high expectations - but also provide the support needed! When faced with a confrontational student or difficult situation, step back, take a deep breath, and repeat the following in your head, “I am the adult, I am the adult, I am the adult.” Don't let your temper get the best of you - take a time out and seek out a colleague to talk to - then follow up. You'll feel much better.
6.  Set personal goals for the year. Think about one or two areas that you'd like to focus on for improvement. Parent contact? Using authentic sources? Using more active learning techniques? Improving on beginning/ending class? Utilizing more technology? Increasing student speaking, listening, reading or writing practice/assessment? Collaborating with colleagues more? Talk about your goals with others and track your progress. Ask others for input and share ideas! We spend too much time isolated in our classroom - collaborating helps build confidence, skills and improves outcomes! Try it.
7.  Have fun!  You teach because you enjoy it!  You are passionate about the importance of language learning and you make a difference!  Share your enthusiasm....