The Power of the Fundamentals

Marcia Davis, OFLA Secondary Language Learning Chair & OFLA Diversity Committee Chair
Assistant Principal/Former Spanish Teacher, World Language Middle School

The legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, was said to have told his team at the beginning of each season, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” Lombardi took this approach in training camp after the Packers lost  the 1960 NFL Championship Game to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was determined to take nothing for granted, despite the fact that he coached a team of talented professional athletes. Lombardi decided to go back to basics and focus on the fundamentals, methodically running basic drills and plays so that everyone could demonstrate mastery.

As this school year comes to a close, undoubtedly, we may have experienced a few challenges or distractions along the way. Maybe implementing a new curriculum or working with colleagues with whom you did not see eye-to-eye, an administrator who was not supportive or understanding – or maybe an additional prep, lesser student growth toward proficiency, or declining enrollment in your department. Could this be an opportunity to get back to basics and review the fundamentals?

What elements are critical to your role as a language educator? What evidence based strategies have proven most effective for language acquisition? Who are the students and families that you serve? How can you connect and engage with them so they see the value of multilingualism and multiliteracy in their experiences today? How can you promote language acquisition within your sphere of influence, whether that be in your department, school, district, or community at large?

Language acquisition is more than just memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules; it’s a deeply human endeavor that thrives on connection and communication. Research consistently shows that positive teacher-student relationships enhance student motivation, engagement, and ultimately, language proficiency. When students feel valued, respected, and supported by their teacher, they are more likely to take risks, participate actively in class, and persist in their language learning journey.

It is natural to try to pick up where things seem to have broken down, but sometimes we have to review the process and start at the beginning again – with the fundamentals. What are your fundamentals? How will you proceed with the opportunities presented to you as you reflect not just on what seems to have gone wrong but also on what you know is beneficial? Is there value in scaffolding for the purpose of building a strong footer so that even those who think they’ve “got it” can reinforce or refine what they think they already know? How will focusing on the fundamentals provide an opportunity to solidify student to teacher and teacher to teacher relationships? Here are a few examples to consider:

1. Get to Know Your Students: Take the time to learn about your students’ interests, hobbies, and cultural backgrounds. Incorporate authentic cultural materials and topics relevant to students’ lives into your lessons to make learning more meaningful and engaging.
2. Show Empathy and Understanding: Acknowledge and validate students’ feelings and experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. Demonstrate empathy and understanding, especially when students encounter challenges or setbacks in their language learning journey.
3. Encourage Active Participation: Create opportunities for all students to participate actively in class discussions, group activities, and language practice exercises. Provide positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to encourage students to take risks and engage in authentic communication.
4. Be Approachable and Accessible: Be available to students for questions, concerns, or additional support outside of class time. Build rapport through casual conversations and informal interactions that show students you care about their well-being and success.
5. Celebrate Successes and Milestones: Recognize and celebrate students’ achievements, no matter how small, to boost their confidence and motivation. Create a supportive classroom culture where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth and learning.

Vince Lombardi and the Packers turned the tide in the 1961 season. From that season forward, Lombardi became one of the greatest football coaches of all-time. He never lost in the playoffs again. He went on to win five NFL Championships in seven years, including three back-to-back He never coached a team with a losing record. Although we do not lose in our classrooms, focusing on the fundamentals can help us reset when things look discouraging. As Nelson Mandela said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.”