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Alternative Professional Learning:
QTalk Methodology
Compilation Post
Reflecting on the professional development (PD) practices at my private Catholic school, it's clear that while PD is frequently offered, it often fails to address the specific needs of specialized teachers like those of World Languages. This is largely due to the school's small size and reliance on private funding, which results in generalized sessions that don’t cater to the particular challenges we face as Spanish teachers.
Allison Gulamhussein’s 5 Key Principles of Effective Professional Development (2013) report highlights the shortcomings of the traditional “sit and get” model, which I’ve experienced firsthand. The passive nature of this PD delivery doesn’t engage teachers or offer practical strategies for immediate classroom implementation. After discussing this with public school colleagues, it became clear that they face similar issues, despite better funding. The report advocates for a transition to a “go and show” model, where teachers are actively involved in hands-on activities and can apply what they learn in real-time, providing ongoing support for new strategies.
In alignment with Gulamhussein’s recommendations, my professional learning plan for Spanish teachers promotes this shift toward a more interactive and practical model. This approach is particularly important given the additional challenge Spanish teachers in our diocese face: the absence of a standardized curriculum. Each teacher is left to independently plan lessons for multiple grade levels, resulting in an overwhelming workload and limited opportunities for collaboration.
My professional learning plan introduces the QTalk method, an effective tool for reinforcing vocabulary through visual supports and storytelling. By incorporating QTalk’s resources into our PD, we provide Spanish teachers with an engaging, hands-on approach to language acquisition that aligns with my innovation proposal—creating a blended learning environment that fosters significant learning. This plan will not only address the gaps in current PD but also create opportunities for Spanish teachers to collaborate, share the planning load, and develop consistent, high-quality lessons for diverse student needs.
Ultimately, adopting this “go and show” model and integrating a blended learning approach will lead to more meaningful professional development, better teacher collaboration, and enhanced language-learning experiences for students.
Professional Learning Workshop
Slide Deck Presentation
References:
​Fink, L. D. (2003). A self-directed guide to designing courses for significant learning.
Jossey-Bass.
Gulamhussein, A. (2013). Teaching the Teachers Effective Professional
Development in an Era of High Stakes Accountability. Center for Public
Education. Retrieved from http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/system/files/2013-176_ProfessionalDevelopment.pdfQTalk
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Harapnuik, D. (2020c, May 25). Change in Focus Part A.
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World-readiness standards for learning languages. ACTFL. (n.d.).
https://www.actfl.org/educator-resources/world-readiness-standards-for-learning-languages
Hazan, M. (2010a, August 11). QTalk Level 1 Conjunction Practice. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/C004Ey1wYfg?si=leLFO_EXgh4GbLfC
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YouTube. https://youtu.be/zKCPhZlPVwI?si=XeqhKrSyQJ4t5S6m
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YouTube. https://youtu.be/USDp0AUdUak?si=GwDkKZIFo0KIIwtL
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instances for practice with your students!!. YouTube. QTALK: Use Q-CARDS to create thousands of instances for practice with your students!!
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Hazan. YouTube. TED Talk: Let Our Pictures Do The Talking | Maurice Hazan
Hazan, M. (2010, August 11). QTalk Sentence Scrabble Language Practice Game
YouTube. https://youtu.be/bK45Dp03yeM?si=Tz6iUJB9e3dOTbP6
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