"Ready, Set .... Wait" Workshop Abstract: Research shows we provide very little time indeed for students to think or to elaborate on our questions. We might think that’s good – a rapid fire environment is great, right? Well….not really. Research shows that if we give students more time to think and elaborate, there is observable and measurable improvement in students’ attitudes, involvement, cooperation, and use of language and logic. Plus, research proves there is growth in us, too, specifically in our own awareness of students’ capabilities and in our own energy. So learn about, practice, and apply Wait Time 1 and Wait Time 2 by experiencing them as both teacher and student in a world language classroom. We’ll focus on two key areas: language acquisition practice through interpersonal speaking; and group discussion, in conjunction with questioning techniques. You’ll receive background information and research on Wait Time, have a chance to observe your own classroom approach before you come to the workshop, and come away with having experienced specific techniques that you can apply to your teaching - any language, any level, any time. Workshop Leader Bio: Norah Jones. Norah has dedicated her career to world language and global education. Through her consulting company, Fluency, she is a contributing writer for Spanish and French instructional materials for various publishers; a presenter and trainer for sessions and workshops for schools, school districts, and universities; and a keynoter and regular presenter at state, regional, and national conferences. She served as a teacher and supervisor for over 20 years in public schools in Virginia, teaching Spanish, French, Russian, ESL, English, and History; as a trainer for the Virginia Department of Education; and as President of the Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA) and of the Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT). Norah now works as the Professional Development Director for Vista Higher Learning.