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 2025.
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.
Comprehensible Iowa 2025
Save the Date for June 13-14, 2025 in Des Moines, IA for Comprehensible Iowa 2025!
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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 2025
If you are looking for high-quality professional development for World Language teachers in the Midwest, plan to attend The 2025 Comprehensible Iowa Conference. It is a smaller conference with a welcoming environment for a steal.
This year Comprehensible Iowa will be held June 13th-14th, 2025 at Merrill Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa.
Friday afternoon there will be 3-hour workshops. (Workshop names coming soon!) Then there will be some kind of Friday night social event.
Comprehensible Iowa Conference Keynote 2025
Saturday of CIIA will have the lovely and talented CIIA keynote La Maestra Loca, Annabelle Williamson. I’m SO excited to finally meet & learn from Annabelle! For years I have been honored to be mistaken for La Loca with the same initials.
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 2025?
Update to come!
We have so many amazing presenters at Comprehensible Iowa. Last year besides those I already mentioned you could learn from Karen Rowan, Keith Toda, Amanda BenavĂdez-Williams, Jim Tripp, Jen Degenhardt, John Sifert, Paulino Brener, Sierra Wessels, MĂłnica Romero Cortes, 2 sessions with me & so many more!
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. Fill out this Google Form to donate, sponsor or exhibit!
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.
Mis Clases Locas is sponsoring an attendee as well! Preference will be given to a first-time CIIA attendee. But, there are other sponsored spots as well, most based on need. So apply & come hang out and learn together in person this June!
*Please note this is an in person conference, so apply if you are willing to travel to Des Moines, IA. This scholarship covers attending both days. You would need to provide your own travel & lodging. Email me if you have questions!
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 In particular, I will recently present at the virtual World Language Teacher Summit. You can still get access here.
Also, next summer 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 2025 & 2026!
*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.
