DiscoverPractical Proficiency Podcast15 Common Target Language Mistakes & How to Fix Them
15 Common Target Language Mistakes & How to Fix Them

15 Common Target Language Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Update: 2025-06-24
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This is a special insider episode where you get to see what it's like to be a part of the Practical Proficiency Network! Join us for this amazing insider look and masterclass workshop on target language. 

Find out more about the Practical Proficiency Network here: https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/join-practical-proficiency-network


This workshop reveals 15 common mistakes language teachers make when using target language and provides practical solutions to create a more immersive, interactive classroom experience.

• Avoid making interaction a memory test by focusing on successful communication rather than vocabulary recall
• Interrupt yourself every 30-60 seconds to check for understanding through questions, visuals, or activities
• Shift from content obsession to student-focused interactions by being a "party host" instead of just covering material
• Create a "pool party" environment with appropriate scaffolding instead of throwing students into an overwhelming "ocean" of language
• Celebrate language attempts instead of constantly correcting errors, especially with beginning learners
• Focus on making everyday classroom moments happen in the target language rather than worrying about exceptional circumstances
• Slow down curriculum pacing to allow students to play with and internalize language before moving to new content
• Make cultural lessons more accessible through comprehensible resources rather than defaulting to English
• Keep classroom routines consistent to build confidence in target language use
• Match assessments to classroom practices by evaluating interactive communication rather than just form

If you'd like more support implementing these strategies, join the Practical Proficiency Network for regular workshops, resources, and a community of language teachers committed to effective teaching practices.


Submit your question here

Get access to the Target Language Tune-Up Workshop on Oct 18th here 

Find out more and join the Practical Proficiency Network here

or go to lalibrelanguagelearning.com/join

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Love this episode? Get access to over 150+ trainings, instructional coaching, and an amazing peer community of proficiency-oriented teachers in the Practical Proficiency Network


Submit your questions about proficiency, grammar, or creating communicative classroom environments through this link: https://airtable.com/appOp9IY7Ah77oYup/pagpRzuEqAVZgBnrk/form

and I'll answer them on the show!

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15 Common Target Language Mistakes & How to Fix Them

15 Common Target Language Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Devon Gunning | La Libre Language Learning