The Global Languages program at Murray State University recently hosted a workshop for foreign language teachers in the area. Attendees included teachers from schools in Calloway, Christian, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken counties.
Dr. Elena Picech, Associate Professor of Spanish, serves as the education coordinator for the Global Languages program and has organized the workshop since 2017, with a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
“The annual teachers’ workshop serves various purposes,” says Picech. “It helps develop their pedagogical skills and (provides them with) professional development credit. In addition, it provides a network platform for foreign language teachers to come together and exchange ideas and share strategies and resources.”
Attendees enjoyed some social time together, followed by four presentations. Branden Clayton, a teacher education student at Murray State presented on the power of culture and geography-focused lessons in engaging and motivating learners. Mrs. Natascha Parrish, Spanish teacher for Calloway County Schools, led “A Guided Tour to Madrid,” a culminating task and a real-life-communicative activity where students put into practice vocabulary and polite commands as they imaginarily tour the streets of Madrid. Dr. Therese Saint Paul, Associate Professor of French at Murray State University presented “The Apartment Building,” a method for an interactive stimulation game that brings together all modes of communication in an engaging and comprehensive way. Mrs. Sarah Hines, English Learners Instructor for Murray Independent Schools discussed techniques and strategies to help English Learners succeed even if the school does not have a dedicated EL program.
Dr. Picech believes this year’s event was a success and hopes they can continue. “(The workshop) is a good opportunity for the Murray State Global Languages program to maintain and develop connections with foreign languages teachers in the surrounding areas. It was very special to get back on track.”
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