Beverly Sims

Sims’ innovative teaching idea involves “Using CI to Teach Spanish”. Comprehensible Input (CI) is a teaching method with a focus on authentic communication rather than focusing on more traditional constructs. It employs techniques to make language comprehensible for students by focusing on language acquisition instead of language learning where students gain communicative competence in a second language and not just memorized vocabulary lists and grammar rules. Students have a very different learning experience than with more traditional programs. They drive the class-tailored lesson content while the teacher serves as facilitator. They learn to say the things that are most relevant to them while engaging in communicative interactions with their instructor and classmates. The content is important and relevant to them which helps with motivation and retention. Sims is excited that her students are becoming invested in learning Spanish more quickly and successfully than ever before.