Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey

Workshops

    • October 30, 2025
    • 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM (EDT)
    • NJPSA, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Twp, NJ 08831
    • 97

    2025-2026 Workshop Series #1 - In-Person

    Every Student Can: A Comprehension-Based Approach to Language Acquisition 


    Martina Bex

    The transition away from designing language courses based on a traditional grammar syllabus requires a shift in thinking as well as a shift in instruction for all students to acquire and finesse their communication skills. In this workshop, attendees will consider both the theoretical basis for Proficiency Oriented, Comprehension Based™ teaching and its practical applications across each mode. Attendees will explore these concepts through varied interactive demonstrations.

    Content:

    • Introduction to language acquisition theory and how it relates to comprehension based instruction.

    • Demonstrations of input focused strategies at a variety of language levels, experienced as a student.

    • Debriefing to unpack what teacher skills are necessary for a comprehension-based class.

    • Examining how to scaffold activities into a unit plan and set reasonable expectations for student learning.

    Martina Bex is the Founder of The Comprehensible Classroom, whose curricula and training materials have been helping language teachers implement proficiency oriented, comprehension based language programs with confidence since 2010. Martina is internationally recognized for her leadership and expertise in the world language teaching profession as a teacher trainer and curriculum developer. A Spanish teacher by trade with experience in public and private schools and at the university level, Martina balances her work for The Comprehensible Classroom with homeschooling her five children. Martina has been published in The Language Educator and presents regularly at state, regional and national conferences in addition to consulting with individual districts and organizations. Her stand out project for supporting teachers is the Garbanzo App, an interactive library of stories in Spanish designed specifically with language classes in mind with a DI focus.

    Purchase Orders: If paying by purchase order, the purchase order must be received by FLENJ no later than 14 days before the event (October 16, 2025), or your registration will be canceled.  Please email manager@flenj.org if you have any questions.

    • December 04, 2025
    • 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM (EST)
    • NJPSA, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Twp, NJ 08831
    • 128

    2025-2026 Workshop Series #2 - In-Person

    Ready-to-Use Activities for All Languages, Modes and Proficiency Levels


    Joshua Cabral

    This full-day, hands-on workshop will give you practical  strategies and activities grounded in communicative language teaching, comprehensible input, and acquisition-driven instruction. You'll see activities for all three communication modes—interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational— that you can adapt to fit your classroom and curriculum. For each activity, you'll get the why, the how, and examples across proficiency levels, plus editable templates so you can personalize and use them right away.  Whether you're looking to deepen your practice or refresh your approach, you’ll walk away with strategies that connect directly to your curriculum and empower students to grow in proficiency and communicate with confidence. Join us for a dynamic, supportive day full of collaboration, creativity, and actionable ideas you can use tomorrow.


    Joshua Cabral has been teaching French and Spanish for 27 years.  He regularly presents workshops on language proficiency and cultural competence at state, regional and national conferences.  Joshua has done extensive graduate work in Applied Linguistics and Instructional Coaching.  He consults with schools and districts throughout the USA working toward building and improving proficiency-based programs. Joshua is passionate about access to education and also works closely with schools in Haiti and Nicaragua where he travels to work with teachers and students.  He is also the host of the World Language Classroom Podcast.


    Purchase Orders: If paying by purchase order, the purchase order must be received by FLENJ no later than 14 days before the event (November 20th, 2025), or your registration will be canceled.

    Please email manager@flenj.org if you have any questions.

    • February 05, 2026
    • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (EST)
    • Virtual Live and/or RECORDED sessions


    2025-2026 Workshop Series #3 -Virtual 

    Expanding Horizons: Exploring Innovative Teaching Methods for Language Learning

    2025 FLENJ Teacher of the Year - Sybil Sanchez


     . In today’s dynamic classrooms, language educators are constantly seeking fresh, effective ways to engage students and deepen their linguistic and cultural understanding. This interactive workshop invites world language teachers to explore cutting-edge strategies and creative methodologies that go beyond the textbook. Participants will discover practical tools to enhance student motivation, integrate technology meaningfully, and design immersive, communicative experiences aligned with ACTFL standards. Whether you're teaching novice learners or advanced speakers, you'll leave with adaptable ideas to revitalize your instruction and empower your students as confident language users.


    FLENJ TOY 25 Sybil Sanchez is a strong education professional with a bachelor's degree in ESL Secondary Education from Universidad Laica Vicente Rocafuerte from Ecuador and a master's degree focused on Spanish Language and Literature from Universidad de Salamanca.

    She has taught ESL courses in Latin America and in the USA. As a K-8th Spanish teacher for 6 years she gained extensive experience as a teacher and curriculum writer. She coordinated a district wide program for students transitioning from 8th grade to high school. From 2009 to the present, Sybil has taught high school students in diverse areas: culture, film, and Hispanic literature including Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers. Also, she created and implemented the AP Spanish Literature & Culture course for her district as well as virtual ELL instruction for the Wharton community through Hope’s Table Food Pantry. She established her school district wide chapter of the Spanish Honor Society in which her students have been actively involved.


    Purchase Orders: If paying by purchase order, the purchase order must be received by FLENJ no later than 14 days before the event (January 22, 2026), or your registration will be canceled.  Please email manager@flenj.org if you have any questions.


    • May 07, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM (EDT)
    • NJPSA, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Twp, NJ 08831
    • 131

    2025-2026 Workshop Series #4 - In-Person

    Unplugged Engagement:

    Games for Active Language Learning

    Fernanda Saborido and Rosa Kobylinski

    Jump into a lively, hands-on workshop packed with no-tech games that get your students moving, laughing, really communicating, and loving your language class! You’ll leave with a treasure trove of easy, ready-to-use activities that hit all the communication modes—interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational—without ever plugging in. Perfect for teachers who want less tech, more talk, and a whole lot of fun! Walk away with a ready-to-go toolkit of fun, effective strategies you can use anywhere, anytime! 


    Fernanda Saborido is a Spanish and French teacher at Wayne Hills High School in Wayne, NJ. Over the past 27 years, she has taught both languages at the middle and high school levels. She holds a B.A. in Spanish and French from Montclair State University, an M.A.T. in Spanish, and a Supervisor Endorsement from Rutgers University. Fernanda has extensive experience in curriculum development and has presented workshops on a variety of topics at the district, state, and regional levels. She is passionate about collaboration and sharing best practices with fellow world language educators. She served for several years as both a mentor and co-chair of the FLENJ Mentoring Fellowship and has been a member of the FLENJ Board of Directors since 2020. Fernanda is also the creator of the Facebook group Spanish Teachers in the US, a vibrant online community for professional exchange and support.

    Rosa Kobylinski is a Spanish teacher at Wayne Hills High School in Wayne, NJ, with over 25 years of experience, including 19 years at the high school level. She earned her B.A. in Foreign Language Education from the University of Barcelona and her M.A.T. in Spanish from Rutgers University. Rosa has extensive experience in curriculum development and has presented workshops on a variety of topics at the district, state, and regional levels. Known for her creativity, energy, and commitment to reaching learners of all abilities, she designs classroom experiences where students don’t just learn Spanish — they live it. Rosa is passionate about collaborating with fellow educators to share innovative strategies and inspire meaningful language learning experiences.

    In 2023, Fernanda and Rosa’s workshop “Let’s Play! Incorporating Games across the Modes” was selected as the Best of NJ at the FLENJ Annual Conference and was later presented at the NECTFL Conference in New York City.

    Purchase Orders: If paying by purchase order, the purchase order must be received by FLENJ no later than 14 days before the event (April 23rd, 2026), or your registration will be canceled.

    Please email manager@flenj.org if you have any questions.

FLENJ - P.O. Box 385, Fanwood, NJ  07023

Questions?  Contact - manager@flenj.org

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