Bio:

Viviana Tracy is a Louisiana native and heritage speaker of Spanish. Since 2011, she has taught middle and high school Spanish, focusing on literacy, language acquisition, and culturally rich instruction. A graduate of Louisiana State University, she is passionate about creating relevant, student-centered learning experiences for all language learners.

Title:

Yes, They Can Read That!

Abstract:

Come explore the possibilities of using comprehensible texts in the target language with novice-level learners! Learn how to break down texts and use backward planning to scaffold language in context for students’ reading success. Participants will also gain practical tips for building a classroom library, creating class texts, and implementing Free Voluntary Reading.

One of the most effective ways to acquire a language is through reading meaningful, comprehensible text. Research supports that learners who read for pleasure experience growth in reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, spelling, writing style, and grammatical accuracy.

Using level-appropriate texts, whether teacher-created, class-created, or published materials, can help novice learners build confidence, reading stamina, and comprehension skills while encountering language in context. Selecting high-interest, comprehensible content gives students the greatest opportunity for success.

This session will demonstrate practical strategies for scaffolding texts through Acquisition Driven Instruction.  Participants will learn how to break down readings into manageable chunks, support comprehension, and create engaging reading experiences that help novice learners become confident readers in the target language.