Last Updated on 2021-04-09By now you’ve probably familiarized yourself with Extempore Sync, our newest feature that allows for live interpersonal communication. And what a neat feature it is! And as a language teacher, there’s nothing better to inspire new ideas for teaching and learning than a new online toy, err…. tool. But when that initial[…]
Last Updated on 2021-03-17Recently, we at Extempore announced a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to host Bilingual Seals assessments directly on the Extempore platform. It is an honor for us to be a part of this collaboration between local districts, schools, teachers, and students on the path to a greater understanding of[…]
Last Updated on 2021-03-17Below is a copy of a recent press release detailing our new partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education and its Bilingual Seals Program. Extempore, a speaking practice app for language education, will be used by Minnesota students seeking Bilingual Seals. MINNEAPOLIS — March 17th, 2021 – Bilingual students across Minnesota are putting[…]
Last Updated on 2021-04-02For the past few months, language teachers everywhere have been seeking the best way to observe their students engaging in interpersonal communication. But solutions have been elusive. And for students, it hasn’t been easier. Navigating multiple tech tools, managing microphone and video settings, all while actually talking to one another in the[…]
Last Updated on 2021-03-08Welcome! Welcome to Extempore! Like starting anything new, learning how to use a new tech application for your classroom can take some time. Follow the steps below, and you and your students will soon feel comfortable using a platform that saves teachers time on assessments, reduces student anxiety, and houses a comprehensive[…]
Last Updated on 2021-04-01Small-scale research into how pronunciation can be improved in the new normal using state-of-the-art methodology The challenge of integrating the pronunciation component into lesson design Designing state-of-the-art lessons could be all but a challenge. Many teachers are faced with the need to cover the syllabus and so, simply focus on turning the[…]
Last Updated on 2021-04-01Designed using Backward Planning, integrative task support, the Flipped Classroom Model, Extempore, and other tech tools: The current lesson sequence was designed thinking the steps suggested by the Backward Design (Wiggins and McTighe, 2005) presented below. These activities have all been part of a small scale study conducted 2020. To help students[…]
Last Updated on 2021-01-19Ever want to hear your students’ thoughts on a lesson or unit without their classmates viewing it? Try using Extempore for student reflection and unit previews / reviews. For a reflection, give students a simple prompt, reminding them of what was taught and learned in the unit as well as its main[…]
Last Updated on 2021-01-19If your students were dropped into the target language environment by themselves right at this second, what could they do? Could they survive with more than just primitive hand signals? “Freewrite” and “freetalk” assignments give you those answers. These tasks allow students to show what they can do in the target language[…]
Last Updated on 2021-01-29I know, I know. Dictation? Yes, dictation. Sure, our students will likely never have to write out what they are hearing in real time outside of a school setting (are there careers as bilingual courtroom stenographers?), but that doesn’t mean there’s no use for dictation in the language classroom. Among its numerous[…]
So simple yet often overlooked, reading out loud (‘oral reading’ in academic parlance) carries countless benefits for learners of second languages.
Last Updated on 2021-01-29Part I – Overview Extempore, The Speaking Practice App, that’s us. On Extempore, flexible features can help you craft immaculate assessments and extra speaking opportunities for your students. It’s also a solution for a plethora of needs in the language class, including real-world tasks, simple end of class exit tickets, as well[…]
Last Updated on 2021-01-29Not too long ago I finished up a rather robust project for Extempore: reworking the importable tasks page. The driving force behind this endeavor was my newfound appreciation for task-based learning combined with a realization that Extempore would be the perfect host for such a project. After weeks of creating tasks, writing[…]
Last Updated on 2021-01-29Student engagement. Formative and summative assessment. Content delivery (i.e. actual teaching) in a hybrid learning setting. These were all predominant concerns of mine before school officially began for me in early September. After all, this was terra incognita: how in the world am I supposed to teach language online? My students need[…]
Last Updated on 2020-08-25Back to school season brings back all the feelings for students: excitement, nervousness, and the chance to get back into a familiar routine after summer break. Wait, don’t teachers experience this too? Indeed we do! It’s not just teachers and students, though: parents, school officials and many others are greatly affected by[…]
If your students were dropped into the target language environment by themselves right at this second, what could they do? Could they survive with more than just primitive hand signals? “Freewrite” and “freetalk” assignments give you those answers. These tasks allow students to show what they can do in the target language with no (okay,[...]
Posted on 2021-01-04 by Grant Castner
So simple yet often overlooked, reading out loud (‘oral reading’ in academic parlance) carries countless benefits for learners of second languages.
Posted on 2020-12-14 by Grant Castner
Part I – Overview Extempore, The Speaking Practice App, that’s us. On Extempore, flexible features can help you craft immaculate assessments and extra speaking opportunities for your students. It’s also a solution for a plethora of needs in the language class, including real-world tasks, simple end of class exit tickets, as well as graded summative[...]
Posted on 2020-12-04 by Grant Castner
