COnference Keynote Speaker and Workshop Leader
John De Mado

Since 1993, Mr. De Mado has directed John De Mado Language Seminars, LLC, a full-service consulting firm dealing exclusively with language acquisition issues. He is co-author of Allez, viens! and Bien dit!, high school, proficiency-based, French programs published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, En avant and En route, a middle school, proficiency-based, French program published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, co-author of ¡Avancemos!, a high school, proficiency-based, Spanish program published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, co-author of ¡Viva el español!, a primary/ elementary school Spanish program published by McGraw-Hill and co-author of Keystone, a middle/ high school ELL program published by Pearson. John has also consulted to the US Department of Defense Schools in Europe. A member of several national, regional and state language organizations, John is best known for his motivational keynotes, provocative conference sessions and insightful professional and staff development workshops. Mr. De Mado has also produced and recorded instructional Spanish and French rap CD/DVDs entitled ¡Festejemos!, ¡Somos campeones! La boutique magique and Une boum cool!, respectively. Each features several original raps and animations designed to reinforce specific language functions and related vocabulary.
Keynote Address
From Mastery to Proficiency: Shifting the
Paradigm
The long-standing goal of language instruction in America has been Mastery of the language studied. In the 1980’s, the new goal became Proficiency, bringing about an immense paradigm shift in our profession. This shift was further reinforced with the unveiling in Anaheim, CA of our National Standards for Language Learning in 1995.
What exactly is the difference between Mastery and Proficiency? Are the goals mutually exclusive? Through discussion, handouts, passion and visuals, this keynote address will highlight the distinctions.
Be prepared to laugh heartily and to reflect profoundly…
Participants shall:
What exactly is the difference between Mastery and Proficiency? Are the goals mutually exclusive? Through discussion, handouts, passion and visuals, this keynote address will highlight the distinctions.
Be prepared to laugh heartily and to reflect profoundly…
Participants shall:
- Clearly distinguish between Proficiency and Mastery Instruction
- Be exposed to current language acquisition research
- More fully understand the role of grammar and accuracy in the language acquisition process
- Consider when and how to correct student error
Saturday Workshop
Function-al Raps: One Way to
Build Language Acquisition
This highly interactive workshop fuses language acquisition with ‘rap’. Through music, handouts and laughter, teachers learn how to acquire the prerequisite background instrumentals (original sound tracks, sans lyrics) from the Internet, create and then perform ‘raps’ based upon specific language functions appropriate to novice, intermediate and pre-advanced levels. Guaranteed to inject excitement into the classroom, these activities will be ready for usage with students on Monday morning!
Be prepared to laugh heartily and to reflect profoundly…
Participants shall:
Be prepared to laugh heartily and to reflect profoundly…
Participants shall:
- Understand the 5 characteristics of a Proficiency-oriented classroom
- Be exposed to current language acquisition research
- More fully understand the role of grammar and accuracy in the language acquisition process
- Consider the role of “intelligence” in the language acquisition process
- Review “Organizing Principles” for language acquisition
- Consider the importance of 'Interlanguage'
- Learn a language acquisition strategy based on creating ‘Function-al Raps’