Inside: All about the Comprehensible Iowa Conference. CIIA is a conference for World Language teachers in the Midwest. Professional development for World Language Teachers in 2024.
One of the main pillars that I share is high-quality Professional Development for World Language teachers. Today I am sharing about one of my passion projects, The Comprehensible Iowa Conference.
What is Comprehensible Iowa?
The Comprehensible Iowa Conference or CIIA was started in 2016 by Elizabeth Dentlinger and Kim Huegerich at Nevada High School. It started from a post by Elizabeth in a local Iowa World Language teacher Facebook group with an idea to start our own comprehensible input/acquisition-driven instruction conference.
CIIA started in response to a growing, local interest in comprehensible input. The founders had a sense of responsibility to help those who needed training in teaching with comprehensible input. There was also a desire to collaborate with other practicing CI teachers.
I was a part of and presented at the first-ever Comprehensible Iowa conference in 2016. I was also super pregnant at the first-ever CIIA 🙂 Since then I have been involved in CIIA in a variety of ways: presenting, being a member of the volunteer CIIA committee, as well as a former keynote speaker.
It was a huge honor to be the keynote speaker at the 2023 Comprehensible Iowa Conference.
Comprehensible Iowa Conference 2024
If you are looking for high-quality professional development for World Language teachers in the Midwest, plan to attend The 2024 Comprehensible Iowa Conference. It is a smaller conference with a welcoming environment for a steal.
This year Comprehensible Iowa will be held June 7th-8th, 2024 at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, IA.
Friday afternoon there will be 3-hour workshops from the talented Eric Richards (German teacher in Missouri) & Eric Herman (Spanish teacher in Florida). Then there will be some kind of Friday night social event.
Saturday of CIIA will have the lovely and talented CIIA keynote Kia London. There will also be breakfast and lunch provided. Saturday there will be many sessions on a variety of acquisition-based topics from teachers from all over, including me!
For the best deal register for both days of CIIA before May 1st for the early bird rate of only $100! Or if you have conflicts you can register for just Friday or just Saturday.
Who will be presenting at CIIA 2024?
We have so many amazing presenters at Comprehensible Iowa. This year besides those I already mentioned you can learn from Karen Rowan, Keith Toda, Amanda Benavídez-Williams, Jim Tripp, Jen Degenhardt, John Sifert, Paulino Brener, Sierra Wessels, Mónica Romero Cortes, 2 sessions with me & so many more!
I will be presenting at CIIA about Sustainable Lesson Planning for many preps & Differentiation on Saturday.
Learn more about Eric Richard’s CIIA24 workshop in this video with Jim Tripp
Learn more about Eric Herman’s CIIA24 workshop in this video with Jim Tripp
How Can I Support Comprehensible Iowa Conference?
If you or your business/organization would like to exhibit/sponsor/donate to CIIA learn more and sign up here.
We will have in-person vendors and exhibitors so you can browse materials and talk to professionals in person. Plus, thanks to our donors there are huge raffle prizes for attendees such as curriculum, novels, teacher resources, PD, and more!
Want to Attend Comprehensible Iowa Conference?
We welcome teachers from all over the United States to attend CIIA. You do not need to be from Iowa! If you would like to attend CIIA registration is now open.
Are funds tight for you &/or your school? New this year, thanks to generous donors, apply for a CIIA Scholarship by April 15th, 2024.
Mis Clases Locas is sponsoring an attendee as well! Preference will be given to a first-time CIIA attendee. But, there are EIGHT other sponsored spots as well, most just based on need. So Apply for a CIIA Scholarship & come hang out and learn together in person this June!
Not able to attend in-person PD?
If in-person professional development is not an option, check out virtual PD opportunities with me here Professional Development for Spanish Teachers 2024. In particular, I will recently presented at the virtual World Language Teacher Summit in March of 2024. You can still get access here.
Also, later in July, I will be a part of Comprehensible Input – Practical & Comprehensible Conference Free Virtual Conference again.
Finally, if you are interested in personalized Professional Development for your organization or school, make sure to reach out via my contact form. I am booking World Language professional development in 2024 and 2025.
*While the WLTS is free to sign up, if you choose to upgrade, I will make a small commission. Opportunities like this help support the free blog content and future PD.
Allison Wienhold of Mis Clases Locas has a decade of experience as a #deptof1 secondary Spanish teacher in Iowa. She enjoys creating curricula using novels, films, and music. Allison provides professional development to World Language teachers, including being the keynote speaker at MALT and Comprehensible Iowa, and workshop presenter at dozens of state & regional organizations, school districts, AEAs, and virtual conferences.