Holly Strand

Classroom ➡️ EdTech 🎓 M.A. TESOL 🤓 Language lover, linguistics nerd 🌎

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Imagine if every student in your class could do an interpersonal speaking task at the same time. With video. On any device. And you can drop in anonymously.

We've been cooking. Reveal drops Monday 8/3. 🔔

#ExpectProficiency #WorldLanguage #InterpersonalSpeaking

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

POV: It's day 3 of speaking assessments.

The same kid is still on deck. You've drunk 4 coffees. Spring break feels like a myth.
There has to be a better way.

(Spoiler: there is. 👀)

#ExpectProficiency #WorldLanguage #InterpersonalSpeaking

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

Awesome strategy to help students move beyond "I see..." to making inferences and asking peers for their input. Keep the conversation flowing with PALMSSS!

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

"A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but what do we do when our students only seem to have a few things to say about it?" 🤔

Check out our latest guest blog post from Bethanie Drew on how to use the PALMSSS protocol to
💡 Pique students' curiosity
❓ Guide them toward asking deeper and more meaningful questions
🗣️ Keep the conversation flowing by helping students say what they really want to say

Read more 🔗 https://t.co/T8472oFpdV #ExpectProficiency @lovemysummer

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

The results are in as we end Q2, and there's a lot to celebrate! 🎉 Students in Charleston County Schools, Frisco, ISD, and Chandler USD are putting in the work when it comes to speaking practice!

Combining for a total of 487 hours, which is roughly equivalent to

✈️ Flying around the Earth 11 times
🎧 Listening to Bad Bunny's entire discography 24 times
🏃 Running the Boston Marathon 121 times
🍿 Watching Wicked 162 times (and goodness knows that still won't be enough for us!)

Learn more about getting started with Extempore 🔗 https://t.co/QHspdd3uPe
#ExpectProficiency

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

On this #InternationalDayofEducation we reflect on the value and power of education to change lives, reduce inequalities, and build bright futures for students around the world. Language education is often undervalued or taken for granted, but those who understand the lasting impact of learning a language are hard at work advocating at the national level to ensure students of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to learn languages.

Read more about Internation Day of Education: https://t.co/IJMxJN1RY1

Learn more about language policy and advocacy in the United States: https://t.co/B7o7ltqaNM

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Whether your language program is just beginning to explore proficiency-based instruction or you've wholeheartedly embraced it, Extempore offers an all-in-one solution. 💫

From live interpersonal speaking and ACTFL-aligned assessments to built-in assessment security and data reporting, Extempore gives you a tool that accommodates all aspects of language learning.

Whatever you do, do it all on Extempore. #ExpectProficiency

Ready to see what Extempore can do for you? ➡️ https://t.co/QHspdd3uPe

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Budget cuts, lack of time, and other logistical nightmares can make providing hands-on experiences in the language classroom challenging. So why not bring the world into your classroom? 🗺️

From the Frida Kahlo Museum to the Louvre and beyond, digital field trips help you bring linguistic and cultural experiences to your students - all at the click of their mouse. ✈️

Click the link for 10+ totally FREE field trips you can take with your students tomorrow! https://t.co/HgPm2oBxEP #ExpectProficiency

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Simulated conversation: arguably one of the most challenging (and anxiety-provoking) portions of AP language exams.

So why not eliminate that challenge and anxiety?

Use Extempore’s Simulated Conversation feature to replicate an authentic AP practice environment. Build your students’ comfort and confidence levels before the big day.

⬇️ #ExpectProficiency #APExams

Learn more: https://t.co/yrxIBO7JHU

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

If you've ever been curious about using Extempore, this course is for you!

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Feeling rusty after winter break? Click the link to join our FREE online training for Extempore users. Whether you need to get back to basics or you're an advanced user ready to try something new, the Extempore 101 course and Extempore Updates course are here to help you hone your skills. 🧑‍🎓 #ExpectProficiency

https://t.co/3eQOxEU5qj

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

What people think Extempore does vs. what we actually do. 😉 For a long time you might have known us as “Extempore: the speaking practice app”, but we’ve come a long way since then and there’s more to us than “just speaking”. #ExpectProficiency #Assessment

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

Proud of my team!!

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

2024 was phenomenal! 🚀 From launching new features (with many more in the works 👀) to expanding training and smashing student usage records, we're thrilled with our achievements. Here's to even bigger goals in 2025! 🎉

#ExpectProficiency #EdTech #LanguageAssessment

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Blog: 4 Assessments for Building Written and Oral Proficiency on Extempore

🎓 Learn about:
💬 Building communicative tasks on Extempore
📝  How written proficiency supports speaking
& more!

Read here ⬇️ https://t.co/1TaxYb0PWq #ExpectProficiency #LanguageEducation

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Have you tried Ask Tempo yet? Here are some Pro Tips to help you get stellar results:
🎯 Be Specific: More details = higher-quality output.
🧠 Get Creative: Tempo can do more than just create assessments. Try something new!
🧑‍🎨 Final Touches: AI helps you get started, but your expertise brings it all together.
🛠️ Fine Tune: Follow up with additional requests so everything is *just right.*
Read more ⬇️  #ExpectProficiency #AI #LanguageEducation

Ready to Ask Tempo? https://t.co/QHspdd3uPe

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

The countdown to winter break is officially on! 🙌🏻 How will you spend it? 👀

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Last year, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education, Extempore administered 655 Bilingual Seal tests in 15 different languages - that’s 94 more tests than SY 22/23! 🎉

There’s still time to request practice tests and register students for testing in the spring. #ExpectProficiency

Click the link to learn more ➡️ https://t.co/FjJCTSaqgh

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

PS - these tips apply to other generative AI as well!

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

Using AI can feel daunting, but Ask Tempo makes it simple! Just provide language, proficiency level, and mode to start generating ideas. 🌟 Add specifics like topics or vocab for even better results.

💡 Best practices:
🔴 "Create a reading passage for my Spanish students."
🟡 "Create an interpretive reading passage for intermediate-mid Spanish."
🟢 "Create a reading on Día de los Muertos for intermediate-mid Spanish with 5 MC questions."

Didn’t love it? Guide Tempo with tweaks—he’s here to help you start, while you bring the finishing touch. Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/Ane4YoF2bD
#ExpectProficiency

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

Go see the Extempore team at Booth #1049 at #ACTFL24 and Ask Tempo yourself!

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

@MeganBudke @KarenNickel16 Good luck!

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

@DECTFL Okay, pop off Delaware! 🥳

[Holly Strand @HStrand7]

Don't forget to leave out milk and cookies! 😉

[Extempore @ExtemporeApp]

'Twas the night before ACTFL and all through the hall,
Buzz is beginning, excitement grips all!
Tomorrow will bring a new feature unveiled,
Booth #1049, innovation detailed!
#ACTFL24 #ExpectProficiency