Author Archives: Cardinal Editor

Valentine’s Day Activities Across All Levels

Kaleigh Baker, OWLA Editor for Electronic MediaSpanish Teacher, Covington High School In a perfect world, you do not have four (or more!) classes to prep for, and you can cycle between a couple of activities for the various celebrations that … Continue reading

Posted in Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

Proficiency and AI: Learning to Grow

How I use ChatGPT to Build Proficiency (and Challenge Myself!) Alexis Blum, OWLA Professional Development ChairSpanish Teacher, Wapakoneta High School Two years ago, OWLA hosted a webinar on Artificial Intelligence and the new (and intimidating) tools that were rapidly becoming … Continue reading

Posted in Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

Promoting Our Programs: Some Helpful Ideas

Lesley Chapman, OWLA Public Relations & Advocacy Chair French Teacher, Sycamore High School It’s that time of year again! Course optioning for next school year is upon us. We know the drill—you encourage your current students, tell them how great next … Continue reading

Posted in Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

Why In-Person? The Benefits of Attending a Professional Development Conference

Nicole Hanlon, OWLA Scholarship ChairFrench Teacher, Buckeye Valley Local Schools (Delaware, OH) As teachers, it’s part of our professional duty to keep learning, improve ourselves, and earn the required CEUs. In this digital age, the online professional development space is … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

The Many Ways to Ask Students to Speak in the Target Language in an Immersion Classroom

Megan Helgeson, OWLA Beginning Teacher ChairFrench Teacher, Miamisburg High School After I have had my “English Week” at the beginning of the year, it is time to start holding students accountable for staying in the target language. But how exactly … Continue reading

Posted in Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

Are Children Language Sponges?

Jonathan Harris, OWLA Early Language Learning ChairSpanish Teacher, St. Gabriel Consolidated School, Cincinnati A frequent topic of discussion among early language teachers is whether children are language sponges. This topic was recently explored in the Home & School Connections newsletter … Continue reading

Posted in Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

Game-Based Language Practice

Jessica Burchett, OWLA Multilingual Learning ChairSpanish Teacher, Marion City Schools Every Friday, the ESL and Spanish teachers intentionally collaborate to create a dynamic, student-centered learning experience that blends language practice, community building, and fun. What began as a simple idea—to … Continue reading

Posted in Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

The Anchor in the Storm: Why Routine is the Secret Weapon of the World Language Classroom

Elisa Kirschhoffer, Director of Professional Learning and Marketing, Idioma Education & Consulting For world language educators, the first five minutes of class are often the most chaotic. Students arrive from different subjects, their minds trailing conversations from the hallway or … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

Motivating Our Youngest Learners: Benefits of Starting a Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad (SHA) Chapter in Grades Pre-K through 9th 

Alondra Pacheco, AATSP 9-12 Representative A Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad (SHA) chapter can motivate younger students to pursue their study of language while engaging in ambassadorship and service to their school and community. Through this activity-based Spanish honor society, students … Continue reading

Posted in Winter 2026 | Leave a comment

UN Diplomats’ Trainings: Online, Self-Paced, Authentic, and Free

Dr. Roger W. Anderson, Independent Scholar, Monterey, CA (USA) The BLUF (Bottom Line, Up Front): The United Nations website offers trainings for diplomats and activists on a variety of globally important subjects, in all six official UN languages. These authentic, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Winter 2026 | Leave a comment