Teaching Language in a Block Schedule with Marlyn Pichardo

#224

How long are your classes? Do you see your students 2,3, 4 maybe 5 times a week? We all have different schedules in our schools and learn to adapt to the time that we have. Block schedules, extended class periods that meet fewer times in a given week, are becoming more common in many schools and districts. In this episode, we are talking about teaching in this format. Marilyn Pichardo, a Spanish teacher in New Jersey, joins me to talk about teaching in a block schedule for over 2 decades. Lots to learn about planning and class pacing whether you have 20, 40, 60 or even 85 minute classes.

Topics in this Episode:

• opportunities that block schedules open up for world language teachers that might be harder to achieve in a traditional schedule
• sustaining student focus in language classes with longer blocks.
• strategies or lesson structures that keep students engaged and actively using the target language for the full period
• balancing pace, repetition, and variety so that students continue to build proficiency in a block schedule without feeling overwhelmed or burnt out

Connect with Marilyn Pichardo:

• Instagram:@perfectspanishplansbyMarilyn
• TikTok: @perfectspanishplansbyMarilyn
• Chat Mat Membership

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

• Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual Teachers
• On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language Departments
• Self-Paced Program for For Language Departments

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

• Website: wlclassrom.com
• Instagram: @wlclassroom
• Facebook Group: World Language Classroom
• Facebook: /wlclassroom
• LinkedIn: Joshua Cabral
• Bluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.socia
• X (Twitter): @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.