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What is the origin of the recommendation for students and teachers to stay in the target language?

Both ACTFL and TELL agree: 90% target language use is the gold standard for world language classrooms.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gq8XBs6jQY&t=118s

🌍 Why 90% Target Language?

Proficiency is a function of time spent practicing the language. This includes listening to all sorts of messages that are comprehended through visuals, gestures, and context. As learners acquire language, they move through the proficiency levels at a progressively slower rate.

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Two Major Organizations Support This Guideline:

• ACTFL — American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
• TELL — Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning Project </aside>

⏱️ The Hours It Takes

For French and Spanish learners in the interpersonal speaking mode, here's what it takes to progress:

💡 Typically, secondary school students only practice a language during their world language class — making every minute count!

🧮 Let's Do the Math

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Even 5 minutes of class time lost to English will negatively impact language acquisition.

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If just 10% of class time is spent in English instead of the target language, students lose:

✅ What Does 90% Look Like?