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Let’s Get to Work: Applying Language Acquisition Principles from Day One
About the 2025 Back 2 School Conference
This Year’s Theme
A Practical and Collaborative Approach to Strengthening Language Teaching Through Acquisition-Based Strategies
Say goodbye to theory-heavy PD and hello to step-by-step guidance you can actually use. Every session is grounded in what works—so you can feel confident walking into your classroom this fall.
What’s New This Year?
This year, we’re introducing a brand-new strand-based format, built around the principles of second language acquisition and co-led by expert educators. Each session is hands-on, practical, and designed to meet the needs of novice, intermediate, and advanced learners.
The Six Instructional Strands
Each strand includes multiple sessions co-led by educators with deep classroom experience. You’ll gain practical insights, proven strategies, and classroom-tested ideas designed to inspire your own lessons—adaptable across proficiency levels.
STRAND 1: Comprehensible and Contextualized Input
How to create clear, compelling input using visuals, routines, and real-life context.
STRAND 2: Authentic Interaction and Meaningful Communication
Build spontaneous, purposeful conversations that feel real—not rehearsed.
STRAND 3: Assessment for Acquisition
Make assessment meaningful with tools that support growth and reflection—not just grading.
STRAND 4. Differentiation and Scaffolding by Proficiency Level
Modify activities across levels without losing your learning goals.
STRAND 5. Effective Integration of Authentic and Cultural Resources
Use real-world media to deepen engagement, global competence, and acquisition.
STRAND 6. Planning Through the ACTFL Modes of Communication
Design lessons aligned to interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes—with clarity and purpose.
Register today!
Join hundreds of world language educators and get immediate access to high-impact, flexible professional development.
- Early Bird Price (25% off): Available through July 31
- Full Price: Applies starting August 1
Special Pricing for Schools & Districts:
Contact us at [email protected] for group rates.
Registration open until September 30
All sessions are asynchronous and available for 3 months from your registration date.
Meet the 2025 Back 2 School Team
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Manuela Mena
Session title: Bloom Meets AI: Rethinking Thinking in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Maris Hawkins
Session title: Let’s Get to Work!
STRAND 1: Comprehensible and Contextualized Input
Maris Hawkins
Session title: The Power of Prep: CI Strategies That Set Students Up to Succeed
Carmen Reyes
Session title: Embedding Real-World Context in Curricular Design
Allison Wienhold
Session title: Sustainable Classroom Routines
STRAND 2: Authentic Interaction and Meaningful Communication
Christina Margiore
Session title: From Silent to Spontaneous: Techniques to Get Students Talking in the Target Language
Aubrey Swisher and Caroline Schlegel
Session title: Say What You Mean: Fostering Authentic Interaction
James Tripp
Session title: Creating and Organizing Class Content to Encourage a Personalized and Relevant Curriculum
STRAND 3: Assessment for Acquisition
Bertha Delgadillo
Session title: Feedback Glow Up Time! Elevate Student Agency and Streamline Your Process
Bethanie Drew
Session title: From the Fishbowl to the Final Exam: Using Formative Assessment to Build Confidence, Competence, and Joy!
Sonia Josa
Session title: Let Them Show What They Know! Ideas for Enriching, Engaging and Reflecting Assessments”
STRAND 4: Differentiation and Scaffolding by Proficiency Level
Marissa Coulehan
Session title: Structure & Novelty – Finding the Balance
Diego Ojeda
Session title: It’s Not About Talent: Scaffolding and Differentiation That Empower Every Language Learne
Michelle Olah
Session title: Same Trail, Different Needs: Moving Every Learner Forward
STRAND 5: Effective Integration of Authentic and Cultural Resources
Rebecca Aubrey
Session title: Making It Real (and Engaging!): Unlocking Authentic Resources for Novice Learners
Paulino Brener
Session title: Authentic Voices in 60 Seconds: TikTok as a Window to Culture and Language
Marisol Marcin
Session title: Keep It Real! Bringing Culture into the Classroom through Authentic Resources
STRAND 6: Planning Through the ACTFL Modes of Communication
Joshua Cabral
Session title: Planning for Meaningful Language Use Across the Modes
Sara Elizabeth Cottrell
Session title: One Text, Three Modes
Janice Holter
Session title:Making It Real (and Engaging!): Unlocking Authentic Resources for Novice Learners
