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I answer a listener’s question about teaching vocabulary consistently by reframing every class as a vocabulary class that moves words through a three-stage continuum: introduce, recognize, produce. I share the science of binding, why stories beat lists, and how to keep scope tight so students actually acquire language.

• binding as the foundation for sticky vocabulary
• stories and visuals as the most effective input
• the three-stage continuum: introduce, recognize, produce
• realistic repetition counts and pacing
• limiting sets to 10–15 terms to avoid overload
• a three-lesson flow from input to gentle output
• avoiding memorization traps and translation-heavy quizzes
• low-prep options with drawing, reusable sheets, and AI drafting
• spiraling old terms while adding new ones

Text the podcast with your question! —info in the show notes

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What if a 10-second ritual at your classroom door could boost target-language use, cut awkward silence, and build community—all at once? We walk through the “student password” routine step-by-step, from the first day you model it to the moment it becomes second nature. You’ll hear why this low-stress habit works for novice learners, how to adapt it for big classes and tight hallways, and the best ways to scaffold with sentence starters, visuals, and posted prompts so every student can succeed.

We also share how to choose the right password for your goals. Want more interpersonal practice? Use simple questions tied to can-do statements like What’s in your backpack? or What’s your name? Meeting only once or twice a week? Lean on short, memorable phrases—song lines, cultural rejoinders, or idioms—that students can echo with confidence. You’ll learn why keeping a password for several days matters, when accuracy should take a back seat to fluency, and how this routine quietly reshapes behavior so students answer in the target language without freezing.

Expect practical tips, realistic workarounds, and honest talk about pitfalls: inconsistency, forgotten prompts, and how to handle late or anxious students without turning the door into a stress point. We credit Bryce Hedstrom for the strategy and point you to resources that expand the approach. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to launch, reboot, or refine passwords so your class starts strong every day, with students speaking from the moment they arrive. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review—what password will you try first?

Find out more about Bryce Hedstrom here: https://www.brycehedstrom.com/

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Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here

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Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

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We answer Sherry’s two-part question on engaging autistic learners in an ASL classroom and creating a sane, effective plan for frequent absences. We share concrete, low-lift strategies that center detail-focused questioning, visual supports, and input-replacement systems that actually work.

• Detail-first prompts and either-or questions for autistic learners
• Visual status cards and icon-based sentence frames
• Predictable routines for partner work and turn-taking
• Comparison tasks anchored in daily routines
• Input-replacement hours instead of one-off makeup packets
• Duolingo and curated media lists as low-friction tools
• Clear policies and gentle boundaries for chronic absences
• Resources and training recommendations including Linda Hodgdon
• Practical systems to reduce teacher workload

Leave a review if this helped you so that we can reach more educators and let them know that like this is a cool place to hang out on the interwebs

Submit your question here

Download the free audio training "The Joyful CI Classroom System" here

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network

Submit your questions about proficiency, grammar, or creating communicative classroom environments through this link: https://airtable.com/appOp9IY7Ah77oYup/pagpRzuEqAVZgBnrk/form

and I'll answer them on the show!