From proficiency to practice: Supporting the proficiency-based classroom

TiS's expanded professional development explores how teachers can turn proficiency theory into classroom practice — from backward design (planning with the end goal in mind) and authentic resources to assessment, feedback and differentiation.

For US World Languages teachers, it also explores ACTFL Can-Do Statements and the three modes of communication.Proficiency is one of those words that gets used a lot in language education.

The harder question is: what does it actually look like in the classroom?

‍Moving towards proficiency isn't simply about swapping one set of resources for another. It means thinking about what students should ultimately be able to do with the language — and then designing instruction and assessment around getting them there.

Can they interpret what they hear and read?

Can they interact with someone?

Can they communicate their own ideas?

And can they do those things with increasing independence?

That's why we've been developing TiS professional development to sit alongside our classroom resources.Our training explores areas including backward design, authentic resources, assessment, actionable feedback and differentiation.

For our US World Languages teachers, this also includes ACTFL Can-Do Statements and the interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes of communication.But great resources — and great theory — are only part of the picture.

TiS also gives teachers the tools to put these ideas into practice.

Our authentic, unscripted videos bring real voices, accents and cultures into the classroom, while our ready-to-use activities give students opportunities to understand, respond to and actually use the language they're learning.

And because putting theory into practice shouldn't mean creating everything from scratch, TiS gives teachers ready-to-use resources that can be brought into lessons, used front of class or assigned directly to students.

Teachers need the confidence, strategies and support to turn those resources into meaningful communication in their classrooms.

That's why we're supporting both sides of the equation: the resources teachers use and the professional development that helps them get even more from them.

‍And that's ultimately the goal: less language that students simply know, and more language they can actually use.

Ready to bring proficiency to practice? Start your free 14-day trial with This is School!