Three-hour ticketed pre-conference workshops have their own time slot on Friday morning. Please note: There is a separate $40 fee for pre-conference workshops.

101. Finding and Using Authentic Resources at the Novice Level (Samantha Decker) – Finding and using authentic resources for novice level students can be a challenge, as finding resources that are comprehensive to beginning learners can be a challenge. In this workshop, participants will learn several different methods for finding culturally diverse level-appropriate resources, including videos, songs, and written documents, and try out a variety of follow-up activities that can be used to exploit them in the classroom. Participants will also learn how to incorporate authentic resources into an independent exploration library for students to view and interact with outside of class. Material presented will be applicable to upper grades in a FLES/ WLES program as well.

102. Endless Possibilities: Creating Thematic Curriculum for Checkpoint C (Bill Heller) – The phase in for Checkpoint C of the Revised Learning Standards for World Languages begins in September, 2027. This workshop offers ideas and templates for designing a two-year Spanish curriculum for Checkpoint C focused on developing Intermediate Mid-High Proficiency. Following a brief overview of the nature of the learners and the proficiency goals of Checkpoint C, participants will examine two detailed thematic units to launch Level IV that will provide an engaging introduction to Checkpoint C. Participants will collaborate to brainstorm, sequence, and share possibilities for cultural contexts and thematic units to engage learners in extended sequences of proficiency growth, leading more students to the Seal of Biliteracy and beyond.

103. Teaching Gen Alpha: Fast, Fun, and Fully Engaged (Leah Grady) –Leah Grady, NYSAFLT Teacher of the Year and a 21-year classroom veteran, invites you to a lively, hands-on workshop built around one key question: what if we worked WITH today’s learners instead of against them? In this engaging session, we’ll explore Gen Alpha—who they are, how they learn, and what truly motivates them. You’ll walk away with research-based, practical strategies to increase connection, strengthen real-world communication, and bring more joy into your classroom. This is also good for those experimenting with a CI approach and a more proficiency-based classroom. Expect an interactive, fast-paced experience with movement and collaboration. Get ideas on how to tweak your curriculum, lessons, and rubrics- not reinvent them! This is best for upper middle and high school teachers of all languages.

104. Your Language Teaching Assistant? It’s Canva! (Noemí Rodríguez) – This session explores how Canva connects language and culture by empowering language educators to design visually engaging, culturally authentic, and interactive teaching materials. Participants will learn to create activities and assessments using Canva’s tools, grounded in research-informed practices, to enhance language retention, student engagement, and classroom innovation. There will be time for participants to explore and create/ collaborate with peers. Please bring a device to access the website!

105. So, What’s Your Plan? (And Why Does It Take You All Weekend?) (Meredith White) – Are you spending your weeknights and Sundays ‘reinventing the wheel’? Do you dread sitting down to plan the next Unit or upcoming assessment? Join this workshop to see one example of a sustainable system that prioritizes student success through predictable routines. (Examples will be for Spanish I and II in the context of large public-school classes, but easily apply to other languages/levels/settings.) This session is designed to help world language teachers—especially those in their first few years—transition from “survival mode” to a more streamlined, predictable workflow. Materials and demonstrations include: quizzes, tests, reusable games/activities, reusable Unit templates, tech tips, and more! (Everything is editable and free.)