After their presentation was selected as the Best of MCTCL (Minnesota Council on Teaching of Languages and Cultures) this fall, two graduate students in Concordia College’s Master of Education in World Language Instruction program will take the stage again at a conference for education leaders from 14 states.
Emily Sackreiter, a Spanish instructor for Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Public Schools in Minnesota, and Stephanie Steinbron, a Spanish instructor in Rosemount, Minn., were asked to present at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages this spring.
“We were both honored to be chosen best of MCTLC and are looking forward to presenting again,” Sackreiter said. “This is a topic I feel strongly about, and I love that we have the opportunity to share this idea with more World Language teachers.”
Their innovative approach pairs IMAGE Models with Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs) to focus on culture. The method uses engaging visuals as a way to simplify teaching cultures — which the two say can get lost in traditional lessons — while helping develop critical thinking skills.
“Culture is rich in content that we can use to explore the language,” Steinbron said. “Language and culture should be taught together so that students can look beyond what is ‘weird’ or ‘different,’ and so that students can start to recognize and appreciate their own culture, as well as others.”
Steinbron and Sackreiter both credit Concordia’s Master of Education program, led by Dr. Cassie Glynn, with influencing their classroom strategies.
“We are able to dive deeper into ways to teach our classes that will allow our students the best possible language experience without burning ourselves out,” Sackreiter said. “I feel that every class we have taken has opened my mind to something better I can do.”
“I have grown so much as a language educator, and the methods, theories, and lessons that I have taken away will continue to push me to be innovative,” Steinbron said. “This program is designed for our field, which helps me not just be a better educator, but a better language educator. From practical practices to in-depth theories, I will forever be changed by the professors and the courses.”
Applications for Concordia’s graduate/accelerated/post-baccalaureate programs are now open. Learn more about options to advance your education and career.
Pictured above from left: Front row — Emily Sackreiter and Dr. Cassie Glynn; back row — Stephanie Steinbron, Dr. L.J. Randolph Jr. (conference keynote speaker), and Dr. Allison Spenader (conference exhibitor)