Creativity in the Language Classroom

-
Length:
1-Week
Format:
In-Person
Instructors:
Anne Cummings Hlas and Amy Young
Registration Information
Anne Cummings Hlas and Amy Young
Anne Hlas & Amy Young

Creativity is a way of thinking about learning and teaching that emphasizes collaboration, problem-solving, intrinsic motivation, discovery, and an openness to new ideas. Designed for world language, ESL, and immersion teachers who want to promote creativity in their classroom while simultaneously improving their learners’ target language proficiency, this institute will examine the connection between multilingualism and creativity, and explore strategies to increase engagement in the classroom. Strategies will emphasize auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and tactile learning through novel student-centered projects, targeting language objectives at each student's interest and readiness level. Teachers will also learn how to inspire creativity in their students and integrate it meaningfully into daily lesson plans. 

Target Audience:

This institute is designed for foreign language, ESL, and immersion teachers at the elementary through the postsecondary level. The institute is not intended for teachers in pre-K/K teaching contexts.

Program Schedule

9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Central Time)

Expand all

Day 1

Connections: Creativity and Language Learning

  • Creativity and 21st Century Skills
  • Multilingualism and Creativity
  • Collaboration and Creative Problem Solving

Day 2

Promoting Creativity through Auditory Tasks

  • Vocabulary Development with Poetry and Music
  • Communicative Functions through Games
  • Peer Interaction and Puzzles

Day 3

Promoting Creativity through Kinesthetic and Tactile Tools

  • Improvisational Techniques and Humor
  • Tactile Learning and Information Gap Activities

Day 4

Promoting Creativity through Visual Tools

  • Acquisition-Rich Environments
  • Literacy Development
  • Film in the Classroom

Day 5

Promoting Creativity through Technology

  • Technology for Creativity and Collaboration
  • Reflection and Lessons to Take Home

Instructors

Anne Cummings Hlas and Amy Young

Anne Cummings Hlas is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she teaches methods courses for future language teachers and Spanish language courses. A veteran teacher, she regularly incorporates improvisation and creative thinking techniques in her classes to promote interpersonal communication and collaboration. She is the author of Practical Creativity: Activities and Ideas for your Language Classroom (2019) that is used as a text for this institute.

Amy Young is the Director of ESL and Bilingual Education for Minneapolis Public Schools. Dr. Young also teaches workshops and courses related to dual language immersion, creativity, collaborative dialogue, peer interaction, and integrating language and content. Previously she has worked as a Minnesota building principal, Director of Teaching and Learning, District EL Coordinator, and ESL/DLI/Spanish teacher.

This institute was well-designed and conceptualized at every level. We were given a chance to see examples of each teaching modality, try them out for ourselves as learners, and propose new designs as educators. This experience was exactly the shot of inspiration I needed to bring new energy into my teaching.—2024 institute participant