Facilitator book study 2026-27 on Proficiency-Based Instruction - Teaching Grammar for Proficiency
The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) of the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø (ºÚÁÏÉçÇø) is proud to sponsor the 2026-27 book study on Proficiency-Based Instruction: Teaching Grammar For Proficiency by Catherine Ritz and Mike Travers.Ìý This book study will be presented by Mike Travers.Ìý A facilitator book is a special type of book study in which participants will receive training and the option of being part of a group that turnkey trains other educators in this book study in the following year.Ìý NYS world language educators from district, charter, religious, and independent schools, as well as administrators who supervise world language departments, are encouraged to participate.Ìý
To download theÌýbook study flyer, visit our website.
To register for this book study, visit our .ÌýÌýRegistration will close on September 15th or when the maximum number of registrants has been reached, whichever is earlier.
Book Description:ÌýProficiency-Based Instruction: Teaching Grammar For ProficiencyÌýexplores the question of grammar’s role in a proficiency-based approach to teaching languages. This book combines theory with practical classroom examples to help teachers of all readiness levels to make shifts in their planning, instruction and assessment to ensure that grammar is always placed in a communicative context. Teachers, teacher educators, and curriculum designers will be able to unpack what ACTFL’s Core Practice/Guiding Principle means to teach grammar as a concept and in context for Checkpoints A-C and for all age groups.
The book is centered around the idea of thinking about grammar as input-first and meaning-based provides instruction on how to present grammar to students and allow them to discover it after being exposed to it through reading, listening or viewing. This will directly relate to the goals for all checkpoints in the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Learning Standards for World Languages. From there, teachers explore a multitude of ways to help learners process the grammar for meaning before being asked to produce grammar in the interpersonal or presentational modes in line with the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø standards as well. Attention is also given to how to assess grammar in a way that provides information on the learner’s progress with the language without being void of context. The reflection questions and situations at the end of each chapter encourage the reader to think about their own language education and how to coach other teachers as they shift their approach around grammar. Supporting materials are provided which teachers can adapt for implementation in their own classes. The book study is structured in a way so that time will be provided during each small meeting for small groups to process and apply new ideas to how they approach grammar.
Meeting dates:Ìý Book study groups will meet monthly from October to May from 4:00-5:15pm via Zoom on the following dates:Ìý October 1st, October 22nd, November 12th, December 10th, January 14th, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, and May 13th.
Attendance policy:Ìý participants must attend at least eight of the nine book study meetings in full (from 4:00-5:15pm) in order to receive CTLE/attendance credit.Ìý Those who attend all meetings in full will earn 22.5 hours and those who attend at least eight of the meetings in full will earn 20 hours.Ìý While participants who will attend less than eight full meetings are welcome to continue attending meetings, no credit will be awarded.
Attendees will be sent a hardcopy book at no charge prior to the first meeting.Ìý Participants must have a reliable internet connection, a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet with a functioning webcam and microphone, as well as a suitable, distraction-free environment in which to participate in the book study.Ìý Because of the interactive nature of this facilitator book study, participants will not have the option of joining the meetings using a smartphone.Ìý There is no cost to participate in this book study.
To register for this book study, visit ourÌý.ÌýÌýRegistration will close September 15th or when the maximum number of registrants has been reached, whichever is earlier.
Book study facilitator:Ìý Mike Travers is a teacher at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts and has taught Spanish and French at the novice and intermediate levels. He is an active presenter at MAFLA, NECTFL, and ACTFL, and currently serves on the MAFLA Board of Directors. He is also the co-author of the recently published book Teaching For Proficiency: Teaching Grammar for Proficiency. Mike has a true passion for working with districts and teachers as they make the shift to a student-centered, proficiency-based approach in their world language programs.
Webpage last updated on April 6, 2026