Rediscovering Joy and Authenticity in the Language Classroom: Practical Steps to Engage and Inspire

Have you ever felt disengaged with your own profession? Need something to inspire you? Do you sometimes wonder how to reconnect with the passion that initially drove you to become a teacher? Staying engaged and connected with our job requires more than just understanding teaching strategies—it demands a deep sense of purpose and personal connection to what we do.

In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, we have a thoughtful discussion with Mirna Deakle, a veteran Spanish teacher, on how educators can find their authentic voice and reignite their passion for teaching. Through Mirna’s personal journey, we learn powerful educational insights and actionable steps for teachers aiming to bring meaningful experiences into their classrooms while staying motivated. Listen above or here.

The Emotional and Physical Demands of Teaching

Teaching a second language goes beyond grammar drills and vocabulary lists—it involves creating a dynamic environment where students can engage with comprehensible input in the context of relevant experiences.  

However, creating and delivering those experiences on a daily basis is emotional, intellectual, and physically demanding. Therefore, it’s crucial for educators to find ways to stay motivated despite the challenges. Finding our deep purpose can rejuvenate the teaching experience.

How to Find Your Authentic Teaching Voice

Finding your authentic voice in the classroom starts with reflection. For Mirna, a pivotal moment was studying Latin American literature during her master’s program. The book Balún Canán by Rosario Castellanos inspired her to integrate her cultural heritage into her curriculum. This connection to her personal story helped her redefine her teaching approach. Listen to more here. 

Claudia echoes this sentiment, encouraging educators to reflect on their unique backgrounds and experiences. Questions such as “What stories from my life can enrich my teaching?”,  “What values do I want to impart to my students?”, “What talents and gifts can be part of my teaching?” can help teachers craft lessons that are both engaging and culturally relevant.

The “Peeling the Onion” Method: Defining Your Teaching Goals

Searching for our authentic voice is like “peeling the onion,” which involves digging deep to uncover one’s true motivations as an educator. Defining clear goals is key to maintaining focus and enthusiasm. 

In this process, Mirna shares with us her primary goal: To create a classroom where students experience deep, rich learning through cultural exploration, using the second language as a tool for communication and empathy.

This process may sound irrelevant when we are so busy in our days.  However not having clairy of our teaching goals is like piloting a plane without a clear destination, it’s easy to feel lost. 

Teachers who take the time to establish their educational goals are better equipped to handle day-to-day challenges. Listen to our discussion on this here. 

Practical Strategies for Integrating Authentic Content

One effective method for integrating authenticity in the classroom is designing culturally rich units that connect real-world issues with students’ learning. Mirna’s approach demonstrates a general framework educators can follow:

1. Select a Relevant Cultural Story: Choose a cultural content or story that you find compelling and relevant to your students.  
2. Incorporate Cultural Elements: Identify key cultural aspects within that story, such as language, traditions, or values, that can deepen students’ understanding.
3. Make it Comprehensible and Create Interactive Activities: Tell the story or cultural content in a way that is accessible and comprehensible to your students, and assign tasks that require students to engage actively, such as retelling stories, drawing the stories, or producing visual aids.
4. Facilitate Real-World Connections: Whenever possible, arrange opportunities for students to interact with individuals who are directly connected to the cultural story or content, whether through virtual meetings or guest speakers.
5. Embrace the Challenge: Trying something new can be nerve-wracking, but the potential for real-world learning and engagement makes it worthwhile. Encourage students to participate actively and reflect on their experience.

By following this method, teachers can create dynamic and immersive lessons that not only improve language proficiency but also foster cultural empathy and real-world connections.

Actionable Steps for Educators

Here are some actionable steps educators can take to uncover their authentic voice and enhance student engagement:

1. Reflect on Your Personal Story: Think about your life experiences and cultural background. How can these stories enhance your teaching?
2. Set Clear Goals: Define what you want your students to gain beyond language proficiency. Consider focusing on cultural empathy, critical thinking, and global awareness.
3. Be inspired by authentic stories: Find your inspiration in videos, articles, and real-world stories that reflect diverse cultures. Ensure the content is both comprehensible and compelling.
4. Take Risks: Trying new teaching methods or units can be daunting, but growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
5. Join a Supportive Community: Surround yourself with like-minded educators who can offer support, inspiration, and resources.

Building a Supportive Learning Environment

Both Claudia and Mirna stress the importance of community in fostering professional growth. Mirna credits Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy for providing a safe space to learn and experiment with new ideas. Being part of a supportive network allows educators to share resources, gain feedback, and stay inspired.

Inspire Students Through Culturally Rich Content

One of the most significant takeaways from this episode is the power of culturally rich content. Mirna’s students didn’t just learn about different structures and some vocabulary in her class; they have explored indigenous voices, environmental issues, and ancient sports like Pok-ta-Pok—a traditional Mayan ball game. 

This type of content not only enhances language acquisition but also fosters a deeper understanding of the world and creates and keeps us, as educators, joyful and connected with our profession.

Rediscovering Joy in Teaching

Mirna’s story is a testament to the fact that, while teaching can be challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding. By peeling the onion, finding their authentic voice, and setting clear goals, educators can rediscover the joy of teaching and inspire their students to become compassionate, culturally aware individuals.

As educators, our voice is our greatest tool. It’s what makes our classrooms unique and impactful. Claudia and Mirna remind us that teaching isn’t just about imparting knowledge—it’s about creating meaningful experiences that shape our students’ perspectives. Listen to the full episode here. 

Join the Growing With Proficiency Community

If you’re ready to take your teaching to the next level, consider joining Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy. Enrollment is open for a limited time. Visit growingwithproficiency.com/academy to learn more about how you can access exclusive resources, expert trainings, and a supportive community of educators.

Thank you for reading! If you found this post helpful, please share it with fellow educators. Let’s continue growing, learning, and inspiring together.