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Applied DEI in the Modern Language Classroom
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2 Weeks in the States | Roses, Thorns, & Buds
Bonjour la famille, Here's hoping everyone is doing well and thriving, as we inch toward some much-needed breaks. I, personally, am dealing with some of the culture shock that comes with my first year as a teacher NOT having Thanksgiving. BUT !!! We have a full month off for winter break here, so that is very much on the horizon. It's been a bit, so I thought I'd share just a few things going on in my head and in my practice that might be of some interest to you. Some Roses:

Benjamin Tinsley
Nov 244 min read
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Hot Take on Assessment
Short version: Grades are Dumb and they really ruin learning. I decided to record a little video (click the image above to watch) to help me organize some thoughts around a few experiences I've been having this school year, as I figure out how to navigate these uncharted waters. There are layers of privilege in the environment in which I currently get to teach. I've spent all of my career otherwise being bound by a system of inputting a certain amount of grades by a particul

Benjamin Tinsley
Oct 243 min read
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À la une: Free Webinar + PLC Doors Opening Soon
Hey y'all, I’m super excited to invite you to a free webinar this Saturday, September 20th at 2PM (Eastern) : À la une: Using Media to...

Benjamin Tinsley
Sep 172 min read
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I'm Presenting at #CIReboot2025 !
Hey y'all, I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be presenting two sessions at #CIReboot2025, an online conference designed for language...

Benjamin Tinsley
Jun 301 min read
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Let Them Be the Teacher (Yes, Really)
Listen, if you’re anything like me, this time of year can feel like wading through molasses in cement shoes . Even the routines that used...

Benjamin Tinsley
Apr 112 min read
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A Better Way to Talk About Break
Hey y’all, Let’s talk about that moment when we come back from a break—spring, winter, summer, whatever—and we’re trying to reconnect...

Benjamin Tinsley
Apr 72 min read
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Getting Students to Speak More: The 2-Minute Drill
One of the biggest challenges in language teaching—especially in novice-level classes—is getting students to actually speak. Many...

Benjamin Tinsley
Mar 182 min read
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Book Club Postponed
Hey family, I’m so sorry for the last minute change, but I’ve got a house full of Tinsleys not feeling well and so I unfortunately have...

Benjamin Tinsley
Mar 141 min read
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More Students Talking & Moving w/ Weekly Reflection
Hey y'all, Happy Friday to all. Here is another little clip of how I've been having students getting up and speaking, while I get to...

Benjamin Tinsley
Nov 29, 20241 min read
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Get Students Talking & Moving! PQA on a Line
Hey y'all, Hoping everybody is doing well! I wanted to share this really quickly... Check out this really fun and engaging activity that...

Benjamin Tinsley
Nov 29, 20241 min read
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Some Roses, Some Thorns, & Some Buds | #ACTFL24
Hey family, Whew. It has been quite a whirlwind. Today is my last day of classes before a divinely timed break for Thanksgiving. I'm...

Benjamin Tinsley
Nov 26, 20244 min read
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Rose, Thorn, Bud | 11.18.24
Hey family, Forgive me for taking a little minute since my last posts. Of course, life has been bananas (I’m basically a full time soccer...

Benjamin Tinsley
Nov 19, 20242 min read
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Book Club Postponed...
Hey y'all, I sincerely apologize for the late notice, but I gotta reschedule our Book Club Meeting for "La Petite Dernière" that was...

Benjamin Tinsley
Oct 18, 20241 min read
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Update 10/4... Getting There
Hey y’all! Whew…another week in the books! I gotta say this was a pretty good one, and I had a lot of solid stuff going on that I’ll...

Benjamin Tinsley
Oct 4, 20242 min read
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Here's to finding some rhythm!
Hey y'all, Here's to another week in the books! I am absolutely exhausted, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a great week in the...

Benjamin Tinsley
Sep 20, 20243 min read
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To New Beginnings!
Hey yall, I’m hoping everyone’s years are off to a great start. As some may know, I have started at a new school this year, after 5 years...

Benjamin Tinsley
Sep 13, 20242 min read
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AfroFranco Teacher Collective PLC (Coming Soon!)
Hey y'all, Here's hoping that you are all genuinely loving life during this much-needed and deserved summer break. I've been thinking...

Benjamin Tinsley
Aug 2, 20242 min read
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2 Minute Drill | Q&A Activity
Hey y'all, I've been excited to share this with you. A new activity I have recently introduced to our routines that has truly gotten...

Benjamin Tinsley
Apr 16, 20242 min read
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FREEBIE Aïd Current Event Lesson Plan
Hey y'all, Here's hoping this finds everyone doing well and pushing forward toward the light at the end of the tunnel. I wanted to share...

Benjamin Tinsley
Apr 9, 20241 min read
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Body Scan Mindfulness Meditation
Hey yall, Just wanted to quickly share an idea about doing guided meditations in the world language classroom.. I really wish I hadn’t...

Benjamin Tinsley
Apr 1, 20241 min read
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