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

One Approach to Using AI in the Language Classroom: Creating Haiku and Senryu Together with AI

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

Room 2

Haiku is a Japanese poetic form of 17 syllables in a 5–7–5 pattern, often featuring nature and seasonal themes, as seen in Bashō’s famous “Old pond” poem. Senryu shares the 5–7–5 structure but focuses on human nature, humor, or satire instead of seasonal references. This session explores how AI can support language learning not only through vocabulary and translation help but also as a creative partner. Participants will learn practical ways to co‑create haiku and senryu with AI to foster creativity, cultural understanding, and learner engagement.

Speakers

Tetsuro Tahara

Teacher, Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School

Tatsuya Nakagome

Japanese Language Advisor, Alberta Education and Childcare

Special Language Advisor - Japanese

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

Session in English, K-12

Company Alberta Education and Childcare
Audience K-12
Area AI and language learning

11:45am MDT

Creating AI-Enhanced Reading Texts in Spanish

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

Room 2

Kindergarten - Secondary bilingual educators will explore how to use AI tools to create differentiated reading texts in their classroom using the Spanish Language Arts Programs of Study. The session will examine diagnostic, formative, and summative types of assessments. The session will first review the design of AI generated prompts and the insights assessments can provide for next steps in teaching. The second part of the session will have teachers creating using the tools provided. Make sure you bring your laptop!

Speakers

Patricia Barrera

Teacher, Calgary Board of Education CBE

I am the Languages Learning Leader for the system at the CBE. I have experience teaching in Elementary and Middle school.

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

Session in English, K-12

Company CBE
Audience K-12
Area Artificial Inteligence, Assessment and Reading

1:30pm MDT

Portafolio Cultural y aprendizaje cultural personalizado

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

Room 2

En esta sesión se presenta el Portafolio Cultural como herramienta práctica para una enseñanza del español inclusiva y culturalmente relevante, en cualquier nivel, programa y tipo. Se explicará qué es y cómo implementarlo paso a paso en distintos contextos. Se mostrará cómo este proyecto promueve el desarrollo del conocimiento cultural, la competencia intercultural y la confianza del alumnado como aprendiente de lengua y cultura. El portafolio invita a establecer conexiones significativas entre comunidades hispanohablantes y las propias identidades culturales, fomentando inclusión, equidad y sentido de pertenencia. Al finalizar, se contará con pautas, una rúbrica adaptable y acceso a materiales abiertos.

Speakers

Angela George

Associate Professor, University of Calgary

Professor of Spanish. I have taught all levels of Spanish (beginning, intermediate, ad advanced) and also courses in Spanish on topics in linguistics such as sociolinguistics, introduction to hispanic linguistics, and pragmatics. I have also taught in English courses on research methods... Read More →

Portafolios Culturales.Encuentro 2026.AG pptx

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

Session in Spanish, K-12

Audience K-12
Area Teaching Culture

2:30pm MDT

Unlocking Fluency through Stories

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

Room 2

This session introduces Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) for educators new to the approach or seeking to refine their storytelling practice. Participants will explore how co-created class stories build motivated, engaged learners while increasing comprehensible input and long-term language retention. The session outlines the story creation process step-by-step—from establishing classroom norms to collaboratively building a narrative and assessing student understanding. A live demonstration will model how to initiate a TPRS story, use effective story-asking techniques, and sustain engagement. Participants will leave with practical strategies and a clear framework they can immediately apply in their language classrooms.

Speakers

Ludmila Thwaites

Teacher, Calgary Catholic School District

Grade 2 Teacher

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

Session in English, Elementary

Audience Elementary teachers
Area Teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling (TPRS)

2026 Encuentro de profesorado de español de Alberta

10:45am MDT

Tetsuro Tahara

Tatsuya Nakagome

11:45am MDT

Patricia Barrera

1:30pm MDT

Angela George

2:30pm MDT

Ludmila Thwaites

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