Lauren Finucane, M.A.T.
Elementary Methodology Instructor
In her twelve-year tenure as an educator in Massachusetts, Lauren Finucane has gained extensive experience working with language learners across all K-12 grades. Initially, she taught Spanish at both the high school and elementary levels. Her career trajectory has since led her to her current role, where she is dedicated to teaching English to elementary students within the Public Schools of Brookline. Lauren's approach to language teaching is deeply rooted in communicative and content-based methodologies, ensuring that students not only learn the language but also engage deeply with its cultural contexts.
Throughout her career, Lauren has consistently emphasized the importance of culturally responsive teaching. This approach allows her to tailor her lessons to meet the diverse cultural backgrounds of her students, enhancing their learning experience and fostering a more inclusive classroom environment. Her commitment to this teaching style reflects her understanding that effective education extends beyond mere language proficiency, supporting holistic learning and mutual respect among students of varied backgrounds.
Join me in one of my courses!
Course Description
One of ACTFL’s guiding principles is to “Use Authentic Texts”, but implementing this with our youngest and most novice learners can be challenging. This course will explore how to create effective and meaningful learning experiences in the elementary world language class through zooming in on six different types of authentic materials (photos and art, music, picture books, games, videos, and virtual field trips and authentic correspondence). Throughout this course, we will gather and examine an abundance of authentic resources that can be used in elementary world language classes and develop strategies to make these resources comprehensible, educational, and enjoyable in the K-5 classroom. To avoid a purist mindset, we will also examine the important role of non authentic texts. We will do this in an asynchronous virtual setting via a variety of instructional technology applications. Conducted in English.
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Course Delivery
Instructor-Facilitated
Online asynchronous (no live sessions) coursework
Weekly learning modules to complete at your own pace
Collaborative discussion boards
Instructor feedback
Optional office hours with the instructor for additional support
Students in an instructor-facilitated course must adhere to the session start and end dates listed on the website. Final coursework must be submitted within one week after the course end date. Course extensions beyond one week are subject to a $50 fee.
Course Access Information
Your Idioma Schoology course invitation will be emailed one week prior to the start of an instructor-facilitated 6-week course. You may access the Idioma Schoology login from the Login > Idioma Schoology Login dropdown menu at www.idiomaconsulting.com.
Required Textbook
This course will also explore a variety of resources including scholarly articles, websites, blogs, and podcasts about authentic texts, as well as the authentic texts themselves. Please note, the teacher-shared authentic text resource bank will be in Spanish, but all language teachers are welcome.
About the Instructor
Mellissia Walles, Instructor. Read more about Mellissia here.
Click here to request a syllabus.
Course Description
Elementary schoolers are not high schoolers (they are half the size!), but much of the professional development for world language teaching centers around older students. With the essential early language text book, “Languages and Learners: Making the Match'' as our guide, we will define the elements of a great elementary world language class and learn to plan for proficiency starting in Kindergarten. To do this, we will explore how and why to develop standards-based thematic units and lessons. We will gather ideas, tools, strategies, and learning activities from each other and the broader elementary world language community, and use thematic planning to give these context and meaning. There will also be space to collaborate and strategize around everything that makes our job unique- from the very abbreviated attention spans of our learners to the infamous cart with which some of us travel. We will do this in an asynchronous virtual setting via a variety of instructional technology applications. Conducted in English.
Course Delivery
Online weekly learning modules, collaborative discussion boards and instructor feedback. This course is not self-paced.
Students who matriculate into an Instructor-Facilitated course should adhere to the dates listed on the website. Final coursework should be submitted within one week after the course end date. Course extensions beyond one week are subject to a $50 fee.
What participants are saying about this course
Be the first to share your feedback!
Required Textbook
This course will also explore a variety of resources including scholarly articles, websites, blogs, and podcasts about authentic texts, as well as the authentic texts themselves.
About the Instructor
Mellissia Walles, Instructor. Read more about Mellissia on Our Team page!
Click here to request a syllabus.