SCOLT 2025. Wow. ✨
This year’s Southern Conference on Language Teaching in Nashville left me inspired, grounded, and overflowing with reminders of why our work as language teachers matters so deeply.
Was it the sessions? The keynote? The conversations in the hallway or over sobremesa? Honestly… it was all of it. I came back full — full of ideas, full of gratitude, and full of renewed purpose.
And today, I want to share the four biggest takeaways that stuck with me — the ones that went beyond strategies and hit right at the heart. (Although, don’t worry… I’ve got two fun, practical activities for your class at the end too. 😉)
1. We’re Not Just Passionate — We Pass It On 🔥
During the opening session, Linda Markley received the SCOLT Founders Award, and she said something that hit me like a lightning bolt:
“The word passion scrambled becomes I pass on.”
Goosebumps, right? That’s exactly what we do every time we step into our classrooms. Every time we share a story, a resource, a smile, or just show up with intention — we’re passing something on.
Our passion isn’t just a feeling. It’s an action. A gift.
And that reminded me why I podcast, why I built the Academy, why I show up at conferences, and why I keep going even when it’s hard. Because this — passing it on — is powerful.
2. Teaching Is an Act of Radical and Relentless Love 💕
Kei Tsukamaki, ACTFL Teacher of the Year, said something that went straight to my soul:
“Teaching is an act of radical and relentless love.”
She also quoted country singer Martina McBride:
“Love is the only house big enough for all the pain in the world.”
This. This is what we’re doing when we create safe spaces in our classrooms — when we listen, when we laugh, when we choose connection over correction. It’s more than checklists or rubrics. It’s about building a house of love, one intentional act at a time.
We choose that space. We create it. And that choice? It matters.
3. Choosing Joy Isn’t Effortless — It’s Brave 🌟
In a quiet, this beautiful sobremesa conversation, my friend Meredith White said something I’ll never forget:
“Being happy is not effortless.”
YES. So often people say, “Oh, you’re always so positive!” like it’s easy. But as teachers, we know — it’s not.
Some days, joy feels like resistance. Like a decision. Like a muscle you choose to flex even when it aches. My amazing friend Annabelle Williamson (aka La Maestra Loca) put it perfectly in her session:
“Joy is a form of resistance.”
When we bring music, silliness, or laughter into our rooms — even on the hard days — we’re choosing something powerful. So let’s give ourselves credit for that. Because choosing joy is work. And it’s beautiful.
And we cannot have that joy, that’s okay too. We also need grace.
4. There’s No Shortcut — Only the Work, and the Becoming 💪
Dr. Pablo Martinez, a friend and a remarkable language educator and leader, reminded me of this truth during a chat:
“There’s no magic shortcut. It takes consistency, discipline, and years of work.”
Yes, yes, yes.
Every amazing educator I met at SCOLT — whether they’ve been teaching for 25 years or 2 — is showing up, trying new things, tweaking, failing, reflecting, growing. That’s what it takes. That’s the process.
And when you’re doing that hard work — you’re not behind. You’re just becoming.
2 Activities to Bring the Joy (and Movement!) 🎉
Before I go, I want to pass on two simple, high-impact strategies I loved from an incredible elementary Spanish teacher (and Academy member!), Tonia Kineberg. She’s all about movement and connection, and these two ideas are gold:
🕺 PQA with Movement
Ask a simple either/or question — like ¿Pizza o hamburguesa? — and assign a movement to each option (e.g., walk in place = pizza, raise your hands = hamburguesa).
Students answer silently with the movement, then look around and make eye contact with someone who chose the same. Maybe even mouth yo también.
It’s low-pressure, joyful, and gets students connecting — with YOU and each other.
👯♀️ Movement-Based Turn & Talk
Give students a question and a support tool (like a chat mat). For example, you can ask, What did you do last weekend?
They answer, and then you say: stand up, pair up, and share. And, here’s the twist:
- If you’re talking, walk in place.
- If you’re listening, freeze.
It keeps them focused and makes their speaking/listening roles super clear — plus, it’s a great visual cue for you!
Final Thoughts 💭
SCOLT reminded me that behind every strategy is a why — a heart. And that heart? It’s full of love, resilience, and community.
So the next time you bring joy into class, or pause to really listen to a student, or try something new even when you’re unsure — remember:
🌟 You are passing it on.
💛 You are building a house of love.
🌈 You are choosing joy.
📚 You are becoming.
And I’m so glad we’re doing it together.
Want more strategies and support like this?
✨ Join the conversation on Instagram @claudiamelliott
🎧 Listen to the episode: Growing With Proficiency, The Podcast
👩🏫 Learn more inside the Spanish Teacher Academy
Gracias for being here. Gracias for growing with me. 💛
