What kind of training do I need to implement the curriculum?

Modified on Tue, 10 Oct, 2023 at 4:57 PM

While we *always* recommend that teachers get as much training as they can, we know that it isn't always practical or possible to attend week-long or even day-long conferences. Many teachers have successfully implemented SOMOS without any training at all in their first years.

USE THE TUTORIALS: READ & WATCH EVERYTHING

The curriculum includes many detailed tutorials with links to demos and other resources that can help teachers implement the strategies with confidence, even before receiving formal training in Comprehension-based methods of teaching languages. We recommend that you take the time to read everything and follow all the links.

FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

The Comprehensible Classroom has recorded a series of free "Fun Club" videos (linked here) that are meant to supplement and support teachers using SOMOS, and many teachers have reported that although this was the only training they have been able to attend, they have had a lot of success in their comprehension-based classrooms as a result.

We recommend that all teachers take advantage of the first three videos from our Fun Club series:

Mindset for Success
Unit Overview (If you are using Flex, we also recommend taking a look at our Resources for Using Flex videos).
Assessment: What to Expect from SOMOS

VIRTUAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

With the onset of COVID-19, there are also a lot more opportunities for on-line training, including TeacherLabs and our Acquisition Boot Camp (ABC) from The Comprehensible Classroom. To learn about upcoming Acquisition Boot Camps, you can join our mailing list. Click to be added.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Note: There are many kinds of training available for teachers interested in implementing Comprehension-based teaching. Our Director of Training, Elicia Cárdenas, is available to help teachers, schools, and districts successfully implement SOMOS in their unique contexts. For more information on professional development opportunities for your organization or district, visit our website and let us know what you are interested in by filling out this form: https://comprehensibleclassroom.com/training/schedule-a-workshop

Other free or low-cost options include:

Follow our Welcome To SOMOS guide.
Take a look at our Tips for Getting Started with SOMOS for advice from our SOMOS Curriculum Mentors and our SOMOS Collaboration Group on Facebook.
Joining a regional or local Professional Learning Community with other comprehension based teachers (list from Laurie Clarcq, Hearts For Teaching).
Observing and connecting with a teacher who uses comprehension based methods or SOMOS in their class. Here is a map of self-described SOMOS teachers (from Martina Bex, Comprehensible Classroom). Here is a map of comprehension based teachers from Sarah Breckley, SarahBreckley.com.
Read all the links in the plans! All the plans contain tons of support articles and links to video demos.