Episode 15: Setting the Stage for Success: Building Relationships and Engaging Students at the Start of the Year in Your World Language Class

Going back to school after the New Year’s break is the opportunity for a fresh start while setting your students up for success. This week, I’m sharing how you can build relationships and engage students at the start of the year in your world language classes. What I do today looks so different from what I did in the past. I used to spend the time I had before students came back changing the decorations in my class or working on a pre-assessment for my students. 

That didn’t really help me when I moved to a much more comprehensible and communicatively driven instruction. When I am using the target language in class all the time, when I’m really focusing on having my students listen to me, I have to build relationships. It doesn’t matter if my stories are great or if I have everything set up in class if my students aren’t listening to me. If they’re not listening to me or trusting me, they won’t ask for help if they are getting confused. I still may have some students who don’t buy-in to the class, but otherwise, I’ve been fortunate in this area. Why? I think it’s because of what I do in the first few weeks. 

What I Do To Start The Year For Success

I like to set up my class for success. What does this mean?  It means that I stay in the target language as much as possible. I start the year in the target language, and this is easier for me because I have the same students in January as I do in August. The students already know the expectations and that the class is going to be in Spanish. 

If you have new students in January, then setting your class up for success is crucial. What I do is to focus on question words, or frequency verbs, some basic words that I want to use in my class. In episode 3 of Growing with Proficiency, The Podcast, I talk about staying in the target language. Listen to it HERE. 

It’s Easier To Start In The Target Language

If you start in English at the beginning of the year, students get comfortable, and it’s harder to switch to the target language. At the very beginning though, I like to start with an entire class in English with my new students and explain second language acquisition proficiency and why my class is different. This helps them understand the expectations and what the term will look like for them.

I also don’t have decorations in my room. I have only language scattered throughout the classroom along with a few posters we create throughout the year. We want students to use the language so I have language on the walls so they can use it when they need it. 

Let Your Students Get To Know You

To build relationships with my students and to get them to trust me, I have to let them know about me. What do I mean by this? Even though I have the same set of students in January that I have in August, I still share a little about myself with them in January. I put together a slideshow, something simple, and tell them something I did on break. 

If you are starting with new students in January, this will be a little more difficult. You are beginning your relationship with them and just starting to build that trust. Start with ice breakers. Put yourself out there first and be vulnerable. Introduce language that you want them to use while you’re doing it. In episode 15 of the podcast, I share a few fun ideas and simple games that will help you break the ice with your students. Listen above to hear how I build my relationship with my students through sharing that will help them with their success.

Get To Know Your Students 

If you have the same students for January, then you want to reconnect with them. What are they most excited about for the new year? What do you want to accomplish? These are some things I like to ask my students. Each month I like to use my Star Student Interview questions for my students. I use questions for students that sets them up for success regardless of their level. If they’re new students, then I want to get to know them and ask basic questions. Check out my monthly Star Student Interviews HERE. 

Build Confidence For Success

If you know me, you know that I love stories. Storytelling is an effective way to communicate in our classes. I like to start with a story at the beginning of the year. This year, I’m going to start with a story on how we celebrate the end of the year in Colombia. You can start with any story. Think of a story you can share with your students and build a unit around it. When you use a compelling story, the students are interested and more willing to participate. This will help build their confidence. 

Fun & Movement

This is especially important the first few days of the week. When I go back, even having a two-week break, I feel exhausted and so do my students. This is when we need to get our students and ourselves up and moving. Brain breaks are great for this activity. Use a brain break that you think your students will love. If they are new students, start with simple ones. In episode 15, listen above, I share a few simple ones you can do with your students. One great brain break is taking a breathing moment. There are tons of breathing breaks on YouTube if you search for it. 

I hope you find these strategies helpful as you start the new year off. Do you have something that you do at the beginning of the year to engage with your students and build relationships with them? Share in the comments. Also on the podcast, episode 15, I share a few extra strategies from some other teachers. Listen HERE and find the resources in the show notes HERE.

**This episode had a technical issue and was cut off at the end, but we are working to fix it. Check back later to hear the full episode on how to set the stage for success with more strategies from some of my favorite teachers.**