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In this episode of Growing With Proficiency, we continue the series on how to build foundational skills for language acquisition in intentional 5-minute blocks.

This episode focuses on one powerful — and often underestimated — skill: asking better questions.

We know questions are essential for staying in the target language, checking comprehension, and personalizing instruction. But when questions feel too complex or unsafe, students shut down. When we stay too long in low-level questions, attention drops.

In this episode, I break down how to sequence questions intentionally so students feel successful, engaged, and ready to communicate — without overwhelming you or them.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why asking questions is a foundational skill for acquisition-driven instruction
• The difference between display questions and referential questions — and why we need both
• How to use circling to add repetition and processing time
• Why circling alone is not enough to sustain communication
• A step-by-step questioning sequence you can use in just 5 minutes
• How to manage cognitive load while increasing student participation
• How to move from comprehension to communication intentionally

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

🎧 Episode 175:
How to Maximize Target Language Use in 5-Minute Blocks

🎧 Episode 157:
Episode with Dr. Karen Leachman and Jason Fritze on the three basic skills for language acquisition

🎧 Episode 54:
Episode with Paulino Brenner on display vs. referential questions and question complexity

Free Webinar Invitation

If you’re thinking, “This makes sense, but how do I put it all together into an actual lesson?” — I’ve got you.

I’m hosting a free live webinar where I’ll show you how to plan ONE lesson for different levels.

👉 Register at growingwithproficiency.com/onelesson
📅 January 15 | 7:00 PM ET

Five minutes at a time — that’s how we build clarity, confidence, and sustainability in our teaching 💛

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En este episodio de Growing With Proficiency, hablo de tres habilidades esenciales para la adquisición de la lengua que sostienen nuestras clases comunicativas: maximizar el uso de la lengua meta, hacer preguntas que apoyen la comprensión y muevan la conservación y ajustar y personalizar el contenido.

Pero, ¿cómo podemos cultivar estas habilidades sin que creemos una mayor carga de trabajo y mayores niveles de estrés? En bloques de cinco minutos. Por eso, en este episodio comparto comparto una secuencia práctica de actividades, organizadas en bloques de 5 minutos, que puedes integrar fácilmente en una sola lección y adaptar a diferentes niveles.

La secuencia incluye Estudiante Estrella, Escribir y discutir (Write & Discuss) y una actividad de lectura en clase con traducción, acompañada de actividades basadas en el texto y el juego de la desaparición del texto. El enfoque no es planear más, sino planear mejor, usando rutinas repetibles y sostenibles.

🎯 Lo que aprenderás en este episodio:

• Cuáles son las tres habilidades básicas para la adquisición de la lengua
• Una secuencia clara de tres actividades que maximiza el input comprensible
• Cómo ajustar y personalizar sin añadir más carga a tu planificación
• Por qué las rutinas repetibles hacen la enseñanza más sostenible

🔗 Recursos mencionados

🎧 Episodio 157 – The Three Basic Skills for Language Acquisition Instruction
🎧 Episodio 54 – Paulino Brener: El arte de hacer preguntas en clases de lenguas

📌 Webinario gratuito en español
🎓Regístrate acá ➡️ Cómo planear UNA lección para diferentes niveles
🗓 15 de enero | ⏰ 7:00 p. m. (hora del Este)

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Happy New Year, profe 🎉 If you’re setting classroom goals for 2026—this episode is for you.

So many language teachers want the same thing: use more target language, keep students engaged, and support acquisition… but “90% in the TL” can feel overwhelming.

In this first episode of a 3-part mini-series, I’m sharing a more realistic approach: think in 5-minute moments. Because five minutes is doable—and when you repeat it, it adds up.

Inspired by my conversation in Episode 158 with Dr. Karen Lichtman and Jason Fritze, this episode focuses on the foundation: teacher talk that’s comprehensible. Remember: what matters most isn’t how much students speak—it’s how much they understand.

✅ What you’ll learn (takeaways)

• Why comprehensible teacher talk matters more than pushing student output
• How to stop chasing percentages and start building momentum 5 minutes at a time
• 3 practical 5-minute routines to increase target language use without stress:
  • Classroom instructions you can point to, gesture, and recycle
  • A quick daily check-in / morning meeting that builds connection and input
  • A low-stress familiar text + audio (cloze) routine that boosts listening confidence
• What to do when you slip into English (hint: reflect, adjust, keep going)

🎯 Try one routine this week and DM me how it goes!

Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 158 (Dr. Karen Lichtman + Jason Fritze)
Episode 160 (Save time, reduce stress, maximize TL with routines)

Other links:

• Find me on Instagram: @claudia.m.elliott
• Join the waitlist for Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy → growingwithproficiency.com/academy
• Discover culturally rich, month-specific resources for Spanish classes in my TPT Store: Growing With Proficiency.

Nos vemos pronto 💛