Acquisition Boot Camp Extended (ABC Extended) is a six month long self-directed intensive intended to introduce you to the basics of acquisition based teaching. In this course, we will cover the theory of language acquisition, necessary skills for acquisition driven classrooms, techniques for using those skills with students, an introduction to assessment for proficiency, and more.
ABC Extended Format:
Recorded Videos
Short, focused pre-recorded videos that address one discreet topic each (28 videos total).
Live Webinars
Eight live webinars that offer participants the opportunity to experience the content in action from an experienced teacher and to debrief and ask questions of mentors.
Reflection Activities & Forums
Workbooks and moderated forums for teachers to interact, share successes, and ask questions.
Target Audience
Target audience: Middle and High School teachers who use Somos as their primary or supplemental curriculum. We recommend that ELL teachers and elementary teachers reach out to us before registering to make sure that the course will meet your needs.
Who will benefit?
Teachers who are new to Comprehension-based teaching, who want to learn more about Comprehension-based teaching, who are new to language teaching, or who would like to know more about using materials from The Comprehensible Classroom.
Teachers in any kind of virtual/hybrid/scattered/face-to-face classroom situation: what we talk about will be applicable to all situations.
Teachers who already use Comprehension-based teaching in their classrooms, but have not had any training yet.
Please take a look at our syllabus for more information.
This class may not be a good fit for you if:
You are not at least a little bit comfortable with self-paced learning and video instruction.
Trainers will not be able to provide extensive tech support outside of class.
This might not be a good fit for you if you have already had training in comprehension-based teaching.
This course may not be the best fit for you if you teach with Somos, Vamos, Sumus, or Nous Sommes. Please look into our Somos ABC Extended course.
Course access is for 6 months from course start date on January 13, 2025.
Access cannot be delayed or restarted.
All sales are final. No refunds will be given!
Course Access & Refund Policy
Thank you for choosing to invest in your professional development by enrolling in our course. Please read the following policy carefully before making your purchase.
All Sales Are Final - No Refunds
Due to the digital nature of this course and extended access to materials, all sales are final, and no refunds will be issued. By purchasing this course, you agree to these terms.
Course Access
Access to course content, including all modules, videos, and forums is made available for six months. Since this is a digital product, it is not possible to return or revoke access, and therefore, we cannot offer refunds.
Customer Support
We are committed to providing the best possible learning experience. If you encounter any technical issues or have questions about the content, please contact us at [email protected] for assistance. We are here to help you succeed!
Course Satisfaction
Our goal is to provide high-quality professional development. We encourage you to review the course details, curriculum, and prerequisites for this course before purchasing to ensure it meets your expectations and needs.
Course Schedule Overview
During this six-month long course:
(About) Every other week: Participants will be able to access all the course materials for the module.
1-2x a month Live webinars (will be recorded!)
Always: Forums
Meet The Instructors
Elicia Cárdenas
Director of Training
Elicia Cárdenas is a middle school Spanish teacher with extensive experience teaching a variety of levels, ages, and subjects. She currently teaches as an adjunct faculty member for Westminster College, working with pre-service world language teachers and serves as a teaching assistant for MITx’s Learning Labs. Although she was trained as an elementary teacher, she shifted her focus to understanding of second language acquisition and its application to classroom instruction in a world language classroom, using the SOMOS curriculum. She presents regularly at national, regional, and state conferences and is proud to be a member of the NTPRS coaching staff. Her particular areas of interest include assessment with an equity lens and working to make sure all students are successful at acquiring another language. She is known for her dynamic and energetic approach to teaching and workshop facilitation.
After partnering with The Comprehensible Classroom for two years as a part-time Curriculum Mentor and trainer, Elicia joined as the full-time Director of Training in 2020. Elicia travels throughout North America to work with districts and organizations that represent teachers who are ready to transform their classroom instruction through Comprehension-based instruction. Elicia is also the founder of the Deskless Classroom.
Martina Bex
Founder
Martina Bex is the Founder of The Comprehensible Classroom, whose curricula and training materials have been helping language teachers implement proficiency oriented, comprehension based language programs with confidence since 2010. Martina is internationally recognized for her leadership and expertise in the world language teaching profession as a teacher trainer and curriculum developer. A Spanish teacher by trade with experience in public and private schools and at the university level, Martina balances her work for The Comprehensible Classroom with the needs of her five young children, for whom she is the full-time caregiver. Martina has been published in The Language Educator and presents regularly at state, regional and national conferences in addition to consulting with individual districts and organizations. Her newest project for supporting teachers is the Garbanzo App, an interactive library of stories in Spanish designed specifically with language classes in mind.
Course Credit
Participants will receive a certificate of completion to document their hours.
CLOCK HOURS / CE HOURS
Because there are many ways to interact with this course, teachers are invited to choose their level of engagement based on their preferred activities within the course. Here are some guidelines:
Option 1: Videos Only
"I watched all the videos. I did none of the reflections or workbook activities, I just watched the videos."
CE Hours: 8 hours
+ Live events "I also watched all the live events": 15 hours
Option 2: Videos + Choose 1
Workbook Activities OR Forums/Reflections
"I watched the videos and engaged with all the workbook activities OR forums/ individual reflections.
CE Hours: 15.5 hours
+ Live events: 22.5 hours
Option 3: Videos, Workbook Activities, Forums/Individual Reflections
"I watched the videos, participated in the forums/completed individual reflections, and engaged in all the activities in the workbooks. I did everything!”
CE Hours: 21.5 hours
+ Live events: 28.5 hours
Graduate Credit:
Graduate credit (two or three credit hours) can be earned by completing additional reading and classwork outside of sessions.
Please note: To register for graduate credit, you must register with the University of the Pacific and pay an additional fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable for me if I teach with Nous Sommes, Somos, Vamos, or Sumus?
A better fit for you will be our Somos ABC Extended course. More information here: Somos ABC Extended
Is this course suitable for me if I don't teach with Somos?
Yes! This course is designed to be curriculum neutral- it doesn’t matter what curriculum you use!
Course Outline
Module A: Language is acquired through consistent and constant comprehensible input.
Module B: Comprehension can not guarantee acquisition, but acquisition can not occur without comprehension.
Module C: Communicative proficiency develops through acts of communication.
Module D: A new way of teaching requires a new way of assessing and grading.
Module E: Clear expectations and differentiated instruction allow students and teachers to thrive.
Important Dates
ABC Extended will run from January 13, 2025 - June 30, 2025.
January 13 First module is available!
January 15 Live session #1, 7:00 pm ET
January 30 Live session #2, 7:00 pm ET
February 12 Live session #3, 7:00 pm ET
February 27 Live session #4, 7:00 pm ET
March 5 Live session #5, 7:00 pm ET
March 12 Live Session #6, 7:00 pm ET
March 27 Live Session #7, 7:00pm ET
April 9 Live Session #8, 7:00 ET
June 30 Course closes / Access to content expires