Somos Acquisition Boot Camp (Somos ABC) is a five-week long self-directed intensive intended to introduce you to the basics of acquisition based teaching using the Somos family of curricula. In this course, we will cover the theory of language acquisition, necessary skills for acquisition driven classrooms, techniques for using those skills with students, specifics relevant to successfully implementing the Somos curriculum, and an introduction to assessment for proficiency.
SOMOS ABC has a unique format with:
Recorded Videos
Short, focused pre-recorded videos that address one discreet topic each day for five weeks (26 videos total)
Live Webinars
Five live webinars that offer participants the opportunity to learn a less commonly taught language from an experienced teacher as well as debrief and ask questions.
Reflection Activities & Forums
Weekly workbooks and moderated forums for teachers to interact, share successes, and ask questions.
Dates
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.
SOMOS ABC will run from September 30, 2024 - March 31, 2025.
IMPORTANT DATES
September 30 First video is available!
October 2 Live session #1, 7:00 pm EDT
October 9 Live session #2, 7:00 pm EDT
October 16 Live session #3, 7:00 pm EDT
October 23 Live session #4, 7:00 pm EDT
October 30 Live session #5, 7:00 pm EDT
November 1 Final video drops
November 2 Live Forums close
March 31, 2025 Course closes / Access to content expires
Course Schedule Overview
During the month long course:
Sundays: Participants will be able to download the workbook with reflection assignments and additional resources for the week ahead.
Each week day (Monday- Friday): One short video about the topic of the day will be shared with participants. Participants will be able to watch the video anytime between the time that it is released and March 31, 2025.
Wednesdays: Live webinars
Always: Forums
Who will benefit from SOMOS ABC:
- Target audience: Middle and High School teachers who use Somos as their primary or supplemental curriculum. We recommend that users of Nous Sommes and Sumus (French and Latin) reach out to us before registering to make sure that the course will meet your needs.
- Teachers who are new to Somos and Comprehension-based teaching, who want to learn more about using Somos and Comprehension-based teaching, who are expected to use Somos, or who would like to know more about using Somos.
- Teachers who use Somos in any kind of virtual/hybrid/scattered/face-to-face classroom situation: what we talk about will be applicable to all situations. Please note, however, that this course will not specifically address users of Somos Flex (Hybrid curriculum)
- Teachers who already use Somos in their classrooms, but have not had any training yet.
View 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.
- You do not have access to the Somos Curriculum (Somos 1 or Somos 2, or both)
- You have already had training in comprehension-based teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions about SOMOS ABC:
Is this course suitable for me if I blend Somos with a textbook?
Our course is designed for teachers and districts who are implementing Somos as a curriculum, rather than a supplementary resource. This course will support all teachers, but our coaches and instructors will not be able to address questions about supplementing other resources with Somos.
Is this course suitable for me if I teach with Nous Sommes or Sumus?
There are some small differences (aside from the language!) between Somos and our French and Latin curricula. This course is designed for Spanish speakers. However, if you are comfortable with the bulk of the work being intended for Spanish, you are welcome!
Is this course suitable for me if I don't teach with Somos?
This course is designed specifically for teachers using the Somos curriculum as their primary teaching resource. Much of the content of this course is very specific to Somos. We recommend that you look into our Acquisition Boot Camp (virtual option) or our in-person Teach and Assess for Acquisition trainings.
What if I teach with Somos Flex?
This course is intended to support teachers using the original Somos curriculum and is specific to the tools and resources in the original format. Flex users are welcome to join, and our instructional team will not be able to provide specific Flex support and mentorship.
What if I teach with The Vamos Curriculum?
The Vamos Curriculum uses the same unit framework and activities as The Somos Curriculum, but with different content. For that reason, this course will be useful to teachers who are teaching with The Vamos Curriculum.
Course Weekly Outline
Week 1: Language is acquired through consistent and constant comprehensible input.
Week 2: Comprehension can not guarantee acquisition, but acquisition can not occur without comprehension.
Week 3: What resources are included in Somos, and how do I use them to teach the suggested lessons?
Week 4: How can I support engagement and find my own style when teaching with Somos?
Week 5: A new way of teaching requires a new way of assessing and grading.
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 & Live Events
"I watched the videos and the live events. I did none of the reflections or workbook activities, I just watched the videos.”
CE Hours: 10.5 hours
Option 2: Videos, Live events, & Workbook activities
"I watched the videos and live events, and did all the workbook activities in the workbook. I did not do the reflections in the forums.”
CE Hours: 15-18 hours
Option 3: Videos, Live Events, & Reflections in the Forums
"I watched the videos and live events, and participated in the forums. I did not do the workbook activities.”
CE Hours: 15-18 hours
Option 4: Videos, Live Events, Workbook activities, & Forums
"I watched the videos, live events, participated in the forums, and completed all the reflections in the workbooks. I did everything!”
CE Hours: 22-25 hours
Graduate Credit:
Graduate credit (two credit hours) can be earned by completing additional reading and classwork outside of sessions.
Please note:
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To register for graduate credit, you must register with the University of the Pacific and pay an additional fee.
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.
