2026 Encuentro de profesorado de español de Alberta: Full Schedule

The personal information collected through the 2026 Encuentro de Profesorado de Español de Alberta SCHED registration page is for the purpose of registering participants in professional learning sessions and fulfilling the operating activities of the 2026 Encuentro de Profesorado de Español de Alberta. This collection is authorized by section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act. For questions about the collection of personal information, contact the Spanish Language Advisor with International Education Services by email at [email protected].

Join us for a dynamic, full-day professional development experience designed to equip Spanish language teachers with innovative strategies to enhance student learning.

There is a $30 registration fee to attend the 2026 Encuentro de Profesorado de Español de Alberta. To proceed with payment, please visit: Payment - RDPSD

To make the most of your experience, please read the title and description of each session carefully before selecting. Some sessions will be conducted in Spanish, while others will be in English.

Photography Notice: Please be aware that by attending this event you grant permission for your photo to be taken and used for promotional purposes by Alberta Education and Childcare. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

10:45am MDT

Rethinking Success in the Spanish Classroom: What Truly Supports Language Acquisition

Saturday May 2, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am MDT

Library

Foreign language classrooms have cycled through countless trends that claim to define successful language learning. From communicative approaches to grammar drills, our teachers have tried it all—but what do students say has actually helped them the most?
In this session, we’ll explore the practices that truly support student success in language acquisition. After all, truly speaking a language is much more than completing worksheets, memorizing verb charts, or just listening to the teacher talk in the target language.
The goal of this session is to help you reflect on your current teaching and consider new, research‑aligned techniques for the Spanish classroom—whether you teach in the Spanish Bilingual Program or the Spanish Language and Culture Program.

Speakers

LAURA GROULIK

International languages and Spanish bilingual consultant, CCSD

International languages and Spanish bilingual consultant

Saturday May 2, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am MDT
Library

Session in English

Company CCSD
Audience K-12
Area Spanish language

11:45am MDT

Tasks by Design: Developing Task-Based Lessons for the Spanish Language Class

Saturday May 2, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm MDT

Library

In Second Language Education, we often hear about teaching with tasks. But, how do we design or adapt pedagogical materials so that they are truly tasks? In this session, first we will examine the main characteristics of a task through examples so that we can differentiate them from other pedagogical activities. Then, we will discuss the different steps for developing task-based lessons: the conceptualization of the task, the design of pedagogical activities to enable learners to complete said task as well as activities to foster learning from it, and decisions regarding assessment options.

Speakers

Xavier Gutiérrez

Associate Professor, University of Alberta

Spanish Language Program Coordinator

Diseño de tareas Xavier Gutiérrez Encuentro 2026 pdf

Saturday May 2, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm MDT
Library

Session in Spanish, K-12

Company UoA
Audience K-12
Area Lesson planning and pedagogical materials design

1:30pm MDT

Gamificar la adquisición del lenguaje

Saturday May 2, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm MDT

Library

Reinforcing language skills can easily fall into drill and kill. Games help drive the acquisition model using competition as a motivating factor. I will share some games that have been successful in my practice but feel free to come and share some of yours.

Speakers

Ana Rebolone

Teacher, West Coulee Station Elementary School

Dale Friesen

Bilingual Teacher, G.S. Lakie Middle School

Lenguaje Bilingue grado 7Ciencias grado 7Estudios sociales

Saturday May 2, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm MDT
Library

Session in English, K-12

Audience K-12
Area Gamification and Language

2:30pm MDT

¡Juguemos! Learning Spanish Through Games

Saturday May 2, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm MDT

Library

Get ready to move, play, and learn! In this hands-on session, educators will explore high-energy Spanish games designed for the elementary classroom that build language through comprehensible input, movement, and fun. Participants will experience games that focus on listening and oral Spanish, helping students acquire language naturally while staying actively engaged.

You’ll leave with easy-to-use, classroom-ready games that get students up, moving, and confidently using Spanish—no worksheets required!

Speakers