Foundational Ideas is a Micro-Course from The Comprehensible Classroom's training library.
This short, self-directed course will introduce you to the most important ideas behind acquisition-based teaching. Specifically, Foundational Ideas covers the theory of language acquisition.
Course level: Foundational
Module Number: 1
Click to learn more about Course Levels and Modules.
Micro-Course Format:
Recorded Videos
Short, focused pre-recorded videos that address one discreet topic.
Workbook Activities and Individual Reflections
Each video is accompanied by a workbook activity, reflection questions, and a handout of resources to extend your thinking.
Live Forums
Interact with experienced coaches through reflection and conversation in our live forums.
Core Concept:
Language is acquired through consistent and constant comprehensible input.
To explore this concept, course Instructors Martina Bex and Elicia Cárdenas will dig into important topics including:
- proficiency,
- what it means to be comprehensible, and
-
how languages are acquired.
Target Audience
Foundational Ideas Micro-Course | Module 1
Target audience: Elementary, Middle, and High School World Language Teachers.
Who will benefit?
Teachers who are new to Comprehension-based teaching, or who want to learn more about Comprehension-based teaching.
Teachers in any teaching context (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.
This class may not be a good fit for you if:
You are not at least a little bit comfortable with online, self-paced learning and video instruction.
This might not be a good fit for you if you have already had training in comprehension-based teaching.
Upon registration, you will receive immediate access to the course content for 90 days.
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 the instant access to materials provided upon purchase, all sales are final, and no refunds will be issued. By purchasing this course, you agree to these terms.
Course Access
Once payment is completed, you will receive immediate access to the course content, including all modules, videos, and supplementary materials for 90 days. 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.
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 Options
Foundational Ideas Micro-Course | Module 1
Participants will receive a certificate of completion to document their hours.
INCLUDED: CLOCK HOURS / CE HOURS
There are a variety of ways that course participants can interact with this course. For that reason, participants are invited to choose their level of engagement based on their preferred activities within the course. The number of CE (Continuing Education) hours earned varies depending on the level of engagement selected.
Here are some guidelines:
Option 1: Videos Only
"I watched all the videos."
CE Hours: 90 minutes
Option 2: Videos + Choose 1
Workbook Activities / Forums / Individual Reflections
"I watched the videos and engaged with all the workbook activities OR forums OR individual reflections.
CE Hours: 3 hours
Option 3: Videos + Choose 2
"I watched the videos and engaged with two of the three additional activities: workbook activities, forums, individual reflections.
CE Hours: 4.5 hours
Option 4: Videos, Individual Reflections, Forums and Workbook
"I watched the videos, answered the individual reflection questions, participated in the forums and engaged with the workbook activities. I did everything that was available!"
CE Hours: 6 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable for me if I teach with Somos, Nous Sommes, Vamos, or Sumus?
Yes! This course is an introduction to the ideas that inform the Somos / Nous Sommes / Vamos / Sumus family of curricula.
Is this course suitable for me if I don't teach with Somos?
Yes! This course is an introduction to the ideas that inform acquisition driven instruction, and these ideas are independent of any textbook or curricula.