Author | Lightnews

Statewide Graduation Council Survey

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Jun 12

Massachusetts educators, families, and language advocates:
DESE is rethinking graduation requirements. 📣
Now’s the time to tell them—🌍 World Languages must be part of every student’s education.

🗓️ Survey closes June 30
📋 Take the survey: survey.alchemer.com/s3/8327795/S...
#WorldLanguagesMatter

survey.alchemer.com

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Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · May 21

What kind of language teaching helps more students succeed? 📈

A go-to research article shows communicative instruction lifts ALL learners—not just the top few. Students grow more—and more students grow…

📚 Read the blog: ritzworldlang.blogspot.com/2025/05/rese...
#langchat #proficiency

Research Bite: Students Grow More—and More Students Grow—When We Teach for Communication

When I’m asked which language program model is the "most effective" for student learning—whether it’s immersion, traditional foreign languag...

FY2026 Fund Code 0189: Proficiency Outcomes in World Languages - Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · May 20

🚨 MA School & District Leaders: The Proficiency Outcomes in World Languages Grants is open now!

If you’re applying, I can support with PD, coaching, and curriculum help as a partner! 🌎📘

📅 Due June 24
🔗 www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2026/...
#ProficiencyBasedInstruction #WorldLanguages #EdGrants

The goal of the Massachusetts public K-12 education system is to prepare all students for success after high school. Massachusetts public school students are leading the nation in reading and math and...

www.doe.mass.edu

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Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · May 9

Just got back from NJ after an energizing workshop at #FLENJ: Teaching Grammar in Proficiency-Based Classrooms! So grateful to work with such thoughtful, dedicated teachers. 💬📚 #WorldLanguageEd #ProficiencyBasedInstruction

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · May 8

Loved working with the dedicated world language teachers in Medford Public Schools today! They've been exploring Proficiency-Based Instruction and brought such great energy and insight to our workshop! 🌍📘 #LangChat #ProficiencyBasedInstruction

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · May 6

🌟 Exciting News! I'm thrilled to be facilitating a workshop for MAFLA's new "Framework in Action" series this summer. See you there!
📅 Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
📍 Location: Northborough, MA
🔗 Register here: mafla.org/pdonline/fra...
#MAFLA #FrameworkInAction #ProficiencyBasedInstruction

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Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · May 5

🌍 Exciting news! Along with my co-author Mike Travers, I had the pleasure of joining Joshua Cabral on the World Language Classroom Podcast to discuss teaching grammar for proficiency.

Dive in here: wlclassroom.com/category/pod...

#ProficiencyBasedInstruction #wlclassroompodcast

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · May 5

📣 Gracias. Merci. 谢谢. شكراً. Danke.
No matter how you say it, the message is the same:
THANK YOU, world language teachers, for everything you do. 💬🌎
#ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciation

Bringing Civics into the World Language Classroom: Global Citizenship Starts Here

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 29

Wrapping up the semester with a celebration! These talented BU students are now ready to lead the next generation of language learners. Excited to see all the ways they’ll shape the future of world language education! 🌎🎓 #LanguageTeachers #BUproud #FutureEducators #BUWheelock

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 23

Language + civic action = real world learning 🌍
World language classes are the place to prepare students for global citizenship.
Check out my new blogpost:
🔗 ritzworldlang.blogspot.com/2025/04/brin...
#WorldLanguageEd #GlobalCitizenship #ProficiencyBasedInstruction

In a world grappling with global conflicts, political tensions, and economic and social inequities, helping students develop the skills to b...

You Are the Input: 10 Practical Tips to Stay in the Target Language When Teaching

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 16

You are the input! 💬 New blog post up with 10 practical strategies (from my book with Christina Toro) to help you stay in the target language—starting on day one.

👉 ritzworldlang.blogspot.com/2025/04/you-...
#ProficiencyBasedInstruction #ComprehensibleInput #RitzWorldLang

As world language teachers, we are our students’ most important source of target-language input. In the limited time we have with them—wheth...

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 11

Happy Friday, language teacher friends! 🎯
Whether this week was full of wins or full of whoa, you showed up for your students—and that matters.
Take a breath, celebrate the progress, and remember: communication > perfection. 💬❤️🌍
#FriYAY #ProficiencyBasedInstruction #CelebrateTheWins #RitzWorldLang

What Is Proficiency-Based Instruction (And Why It Matters)?

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 9

🎤 Calling all world language educators!
Have you submitted your session proposal for the 2025 MAFLA Fall Conference yet? Share your expertise, inspire others, and connect with an incredible community of language teachers. 🌎💬
mafla.org/pdonline/con...
📅 Don’t miss out—deadline April 18!
#MAFLA2025

Conference 2025

mafla.org

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Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 8

💬 "Wait... so what is proficiency-based instruction, really?"
If you've wondered what makes it different from traditional language teaching—and why it matters—this post breaks it down clearly and simply.
#ProficiencyBasedInstruction #RitzWorldLang
ritzworldlang.blogspot.com/2025/04/what...

If you’ve been around the world language teaching world lately, you’ve probably heard the term “Proficiency-Based Instruction” pop up mor...

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 7

🚀 Grow Proficiency. Empower Learners.
From curriculum design to customized PD, I help schools and teachers bring clarity, confidence, and purpose to their world language programs—through a proficiency-based lens.
📩 DM me for options!
#ProficiencyBasedInstruction #RitzWorldLang
catherineritz.org

Boston Faces Identity Crisis Amid Trump’s Cuts to University and Research Funding

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 6

Sunday news read 📰🚨 www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/u...

Colleges and teaching hospitals are the cornerstones of the city’s economy — and identity. But federal funding cuts to higher education could change that.

www.nytimes.com

Teach Learn Lead @teachlearnlead.bsky.social · Apr 4

Striving for kindness this Friday—and every day—in our language classrooms. 💛 A few thoughts on teaching with heart, even when times are tough. ritzworldlang.blogspot.com/2025/04/teac...

Teaching with Heart: Why Kindness & Compassion Matter in World Language Classrooms

It’s hard to ignore the heaviness in the air these days. Our world is feeling increasingly divided. Public conversations about diversity, ...