When I think back to my high school language classes, it’s clear how much language teaching has evolved. Back then, the focus was all about memorizing vocabulary and conjugating verbs. We spent countless hours copying directly from the textbook. While I was great at memorizing, our classes fell far short of ACTFL’s recommended 90% target language use. Honestly, there was very little comprehensible input during instructional time.
Fast forward to today, and ACTFL’s goal of using the target language 90% of the time in world language classrooms is a game-changer. But is it achievable? Absolutely—though it takes intentional effort, consistent practice, and a strong focus on comprehensible input. Let’s dive into the why, what, and how of reaching this milestone in the teaching of foreign languages.
Why Should We Strive for 90% Target Language Use?
Research consistently shows that maximizing the use of the target language accelerates second language acquisition. High levels of proficiency in the target language require consistent exposure, and comprehensible input helps learners build language comprehension faster.
But beyond academic gains, emphasizing the target language during instructional time fosters cultural appreciation. World language teachers expose students to idiomatic expressions, traditions, and real-world contexts from Spanish-speaking countries, allowing them to connect with the culture in meaningful ways.
What Can We Do to Achieve 90% Target Language Use?
Reaching this goal requires strategic planning and effective teaching practices:
- Prioritize Comprehensible Input: CI teachers know the power of making language understandable through body language, visuals, and repetition. Whether teaching novice-high level high school students or elementary school students, using clear and engaging input is key.
- Incorporate High Leverage Teaching Practices: Activities like movie talk, short stories, and transition videos are excellent for engaging students in comprehensible input without overwhelming them.
- Leverage Dual-Language Immersion Programs: Many school districts have seen success by creating environments where students engage with Spanish speakers and native speakers, fostering high levels of proficiency.
- Encourage Circumlocution: Using a circumlocution chart, students learn how to describe new words they don’t know, allowing them to stay in the target language and build confidence.
Practical Ways to Achieve 90% Target Language Use
Reaching the 90% goal is possible with intentional strategies that focus on making the target language understandable and engaging for students. Here are some practical methods to help you maximize comprehensible input during class time:
- Heavy Input with Cognates
Take advantage of cognates—words that look and mean the same in both languages, like “idea” or “animal.” By emphasizing these words, especially at the novice-high level, students can quickly grasp the meaning without relying on their native language. Regular exposure to cognates helps them build confidence in their ability to comprehend the target language. - Use Gestures
Pair spoken words with clear and deliberate body language or gestures. For example, while teaching verbs like “run” or “sit,” act them out. Gestures create a visual connection between words and actions, ensuring elementary students, high school level learners, and everyone in between stay engaged and understand the input. - Rely on Images
Visuals are a powerful tool for language educators. Use pictures, infographics, and videos to explain concepts or introduce new words. Movie talk, for instance, uses video clips to combine audio, images, and narration, creating a rich environment for comprehensible input. - Circumlocution
Teach students to describe unfamiliar terms using words they already know. A circumlocution chart can provide useful phrases for describing objects or ideas. This skill allows them to stay in the target language and fosters creativity and independence. - Plan for Repetition
Use structures and vocabulary repeatedly in different contexts. The more students encounter a phrase or concept, the easier it is to understand and remember. Hearing a word enough times solidifies their language comprehension. - Create Visual Routines
Use transition videos, illustrated directions, or classroom posters in the target language to guide students through the day. These support students’ understanding without needing frequent native language intervention. - Engage with Stories
Whether it’s short stories or role-playing real-world scenarios, storytelling immerses students in the target language and makes content more relatable. CI teachers often use stories as a cornerstone of their classrooms because they naturally provide comprehensible input while sparking curiosity.
By incorporating these strategies, you’ll be better equipped to reach the 90% target language use goal while keeping your classroom interactive, engaging, and full of meaningful learning.
Activities That Provide Comprehensible Input
Here are some engaging activities that promote the use of the target language across levels of instruction, from novice-high to advanced students:
- Picture Talk
Use a single image to describe, narrate, and ask questions in the target language. - Games
Include interactive games like matamoscas, charades, ¡Yo lo tengo! Bingo, or Taboo to engage students with fun language use. - Movie Talk
Narrate and discuss short video clips or scenes, pausing to check for understanding. - Short Stories
Share or create stories filled with cognates and high-frequency vocabulary to make them accessible and engaging. - Gallery Walks
Set up stations with visuals, infographics, or text prompts, encouraging students to interact and respond in the target language. - Story Retells
Ask students to retell a story in their own words, either verbally or in writing, to reinforce comprehension. - Question and Answer (PQA)
Engage students in personalized discussions that connect language learning to their lives. - Music and Lyrics
Use repetitive songs to teach new vocabulary, and have students illustrate or act out the lyrics. - Class Stories
Co-create a story with student input, reinforcing structures and vocabulary in a collaborative way. - Calendar Talk
Discuss dates, events, weather, or holidays using the classroom calendar as a visual aid. - Map Talk
Use a map to explore locations in Spanish-speaking countries, discuss geography, or simulate travel scenarios in the target language. - Running Dictation
Post short texts or sentences around the room. One student reads and relays the information to their partner, who writes it down. - Human Bingo
Create a bingo card with prompts like “Find someone who likes tacos” or “Find someone who plays soccer.” Students must talk to peers in the target language to fill their cards. - Scavenger Hunt
Organize a hunt where students find and describe objects or complete tasks in the target language. - Think-Alouds
Narrate your thought process while solving a problem or describing an image in the target language. - Role Plays and Dialogues
Provide students with scripts or scenarios for real-world conversations. - Interactive Read-Alouds
Pause during readings to explain new words, act out scenes, or ask comprehension questions. - Total Physical Response (TPR)
Use actions to teach new vocabulary and commands, like acting out verbs while saying them. - Partner Interviews
Have students interview each other using scripted or open-ended questions in the target language. - Scaffolded Reading
Provide readings tailored to the novice-high level with visuals and margin notes to make the text comprehensible. - Classroom Jobs in the Target Language
Assign roles like “calendar announcer” or “weather reporter” to give students practical opportunities to use the language. - Daily Affirmations or Routines
Start each day with simple affirmations or classroom routines in the target language, such as greetings, schedules, or goals.
How Can Circumlocution Help?
Circumlocution is a high-leverage teaching practice that allows students to describe new words using language they already know. For example, an English speaker might say, “It’s a big animal with a trunk,” instead of “elephant.” This practice keeps the class time focused on the target language and enhances second language acquisition. Read more about circumlocution here.
Striving for Progress Over Perfection
While the goal is to achieve 90% target language use, it’s important to recognize that not every day will hit this benchmark. And that’s okay. Building connections with your students is just as essential as delivering instruction in the target language. Taking time to check in with students, share a laugh, or explain a complex concept in their native language can make all the difference in fostering a supportive classroom environment.
What truly matters is ensuring students have daily access to comprehensible input. Even if the amount of the target language decreases on a particular day, students can still make meaningful progress in their second language acquisition as long as the language they hear is understandable and engaging. Consistency in providing comprehensible input helps build language comprehension over time, making those connections stronger.
Remember, achieving high levels of target language use is a journey, not a sprint. Focus on progress and consistency, celebrating the small wins along the way. With intentional effort, you’ll see growth in your students’ proficiency and confidence, even if perfection isn’t the daily outcome.
Reaching the 90% target language use goal isn’t just about meeting a recommendation from the ACTFL; it’s about creating a dynamic, immersive learning environment where students thrive. Whether you’re teaching elementary students, high school level learners, or working in dual-language immersion programs, integrating comprehensible input is vital.
What are your favorite ways to increase TL use and engage students in meaningful activities? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s inspire each other as language educators!
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- What’s comprehensible input? How to teach with CI
- Circling in World Language Classes with Comprehensible Input
- 10 CI-Friendly Activities for World Language Classes
- Uses and Conjugation of the Spanish Verb Subir
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