Title: Igniting Engagement: Practical Insights for Language Classrooms
Presenter: Ning Wei, Colorado Academy
Date and Time: Friday, April 10, 2-4 pm
Location: Language Commons
Description: This interactive workshop explores practical, classroom-tested strategies to increase student engagement in high school language classrooms. Drawing on real classroom examples, the session offers an inside look at today’s secondary language learning environments and how teachers motivate students to participate actively and persist in language study. Participants will experience and analyze a range of class activities, engagement routines, and community-building practices that support communicative confidence and sustained motivation. Designed for language educators at all levels, this workshop provides adaptable ideas and tools that can be applied immediately to foster meaningful engagement and long-term language learning.
Presenter Bio: Ning Wei is a dedicated Chinese language teacher at Colorado Academy in Denver, Colorado, with over 20 years of experience teaching students across all proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced, including heritage learners. She was named Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers (CCFLT) in 2023 and has received multiple teaching awards during her tenure at Colorado Academy.
In addition to her classroom teaching, Ning serves as a student advisor, providing academic guidance and support. She is also the Vice President of the Colorado Chinese Language Teachers Consortium (CCLTC), where she contributes to professional development and community-building among Chinese language educators.
Ning’s teaching philosophy centers on building meaningful connections with students and using a diverse range of instructional media to engage and inspire learners. She emphasizes empowering students to share their personal stories in Chinese and to communicate authentically and culturally appropriately. Through this approach, Ning is committed to creating a rich, immersive, and inclusive learning experience for all her students.