Mindfulness in Language Learning: A Small Shift with Big Impact

Posted on by Vicky Masson
mindfulness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1_3L1DCQM&list=PL5TlFjB4h2gUYhYGVv9l_HYTkhbw9ecrB&index=2

by Maria Martinez (LTL Contributor)W

When we think about language lessons, we often focus on vocabulary lists and grammar drills _ but what if we also made room for stillness and presence? Mindfulness is a simple yet powerful way to transform the language learning experience for students, teachers, and families.

Students become more focused, less anxious, and more confident when they practice mindfulness. As teachers, we gain patience and emotional clarity, helping them create more supportive learning environments. And families? They benefit too _ mindful children often bring home tools that support calmer, more meaningful communication.

It doesn’t take much: a breathing exercise, a moment of reflection, or a few quiet minutes to reset. But the benefits can ripple far beyond the classroom, enriching not only how we learn, but how we connect.

To support students, teachers, and families, I have created a bank of Mindfulness resources in my channel. In the playlists you can find currently 32 videos that you can use in your lessons or at any time of the day. I will continue uploading new content to that section soon The most recent additions include bilingual mindfulness quotes and bilingual quotes from Rumi. If you would like to receive the PowerPoint versions to use in your lessons, you can email me at bilingualcerebros@gmail.com and I will be happy to share them with you.

In this video, you’ll hear 20 mindfulness quotes _ each in Spanish and English_ designed to calm your mind and nourish your spirit. Listening to these bilingual reflections not only brings peace and presence to your day, but also helps you reinforce your language skills naturally. As you absorb the meaning of both languages, you’re training your brain to connect deeply with the words _ emotionally and linguistically. Take a breath, be present, and let each phrase guide you toward clarity, calm and connection.

Here is the YouTube playlist where you can find all resources on Mindfulness.

MindfulLearning #LanguageEducation #MindfulnessInTheClassroom

Atención plena en el aprendizaje de idiomas: un pequeño cambio con gran impacto

A menudo pensamos en las clases de idiomas como listas de vocabulario y ejercicios gramaticales. Pero ¿qué pasaría si también dejáramos espacio para la calma y la presencia? Incluir la atención plena en la enseñanza de lenguas puede cambiar por completo la experiencia de aprender.

Los estudiantes que practican mindfulness se sienten más tranquilos, enfocados y seguros. Como docentes, ganamos paciencia y claridad emocional, lo que nos ayuda a crear entornos de aprendizaje mas propicios para aprender. ¿Y las familias? Ellas también se benefician: los niños conscientes suelen traer a casa herramientas que fomentan una comunicación más tranquila y significativa.

No se necesita mucho: unos minutos de respiración consciente, una pausa para reflexionar o un pequeño momento de silencio. Pero sus efectos pueden extenderse mucho más allá del aula, enriqueciendo cómo aprendemos y cómo nos relacionamos.

Para apoyar a estudiantes, docentes y familias, he creado un banco de recursos de Atención Plena en mi cana. Encontrarás 32 videos que puedes usar en tus clases o en cualquier momento del día. Y poco a poco voy a subir más contenido a esa sección. Las últimas incorporaciones incluyen citas bilingües de mindfulness y citas bilingües de Rumi. Si deseas recibir las versiones en PowerPoint para usar en tus clases, puedes escribirme a bilingualcerebros@gmail.com y con gusto las compartiré contigo.

En este vídeo escucharás 20 frases de Atención Plena _ cada una en español e inglés_ diseñadas para calmar tu mente y nutrir tu espíritu. Escuchar estas reflexiones bilingües no solo aporta paz y presencia a tu día, sino que también te ayuda a reforzar tus habilidades lingüísticas de forma natural. A medida que absorbes el significado de ambos idiomas, estás entrenando tu mente para conectar profundamente con las palabras _ emocional y lingüísticamente. Respira, está presente y permite que cada frase te guíe hacia la claridad, la calma y la conexión.

Este es el enlace a las listas de reproducción de esta sección del canal donde puedes encontrar más recursos de Atención Plena.

AprendizajeConsciente #EducaciónLingüística #MindfulnessEnElAula

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The Power of “No”: Reclaiming Joy through Boundaries

Posted on by Vicky Masson

by Noemí Rodríguez (LTL Contributor)

As a Spanish language educator and supervisor, small business owner, and mother to an active toddler, I often feel like I’m living three very full lives at once. I move from school meetings to connection calls to wiping cream cheese off very tiny fingers—all before lunch. And while I do enjoy each hat I wear, I’ve learned that I can’t show up fully in any of them unless I set one powerful boundary: I choose to say “no”.

“No” has become a valuable word for me but it hasn’t always been easy. As educators and caretakers—it sometimes feels easier to say “yes” to avoid the guilt of saying no. Yes to helping a fellow language educator. Yes to taking on an extra workshop at that conference. Yes to a last-minute invitation knowing you just don’t have the time or energy.  When yes becomes a default word, as it sometimes was for me, we can sometimes lose ourselves and a cycle of exhaustion and over commitment begins. 

Saying no has become an act of mindfulness. It’s a pause, a breath, a moment of clarity where I check in with myself and ask: Does this bring me joy? Will this bring me peace? Will this decision leave space for the people and priorities I love the most?

Learning to say no is not selfish—it’s self-preservation. It’s self-awareness. It’s how I’ve created space to enjoy slow mornings with my toddler, to be present in my school, and to invest my limited time and energy into the parts of my business that feel aligned and sustainable.

Boundaries Are Bridges

Too often, we think of boundaries as walls—rigid and isolating. But I’ve come to believe that boundaries are actually bridges. They connect us to what matters most by filtering out what drains us. They protect our peace. They allow us to choose joy over obligation, presence over performance.

When I say no to a weekend obligation that does not bring me joy, I’m saying yes to a Sunday afternoon yoga class. I’m saying yes to watching my toddler giggle on the swings. I am saying yes to spending precious time with family and friends. 

Saying no to perfectionism means I get to let go of the pressure to do everything all of the time—whether it’s teaching, parenting, or entrepreneurship. And that’s where the power of no continues to teach me how to set better boundaries. 

Mindfulness, Movement, and that Strong Inner Voice

I’ve noticed that my “no” becomes stronger when I listen more carefully—to my breath, to my body, to that wise voice within. Yoga has been one of the greatest gifts in that process. On the mat, I return to myself. I notice where I’m holding tension, where I’m gripping too tightly—physically and metaphorically.

In mindfulness practice, I observe my thoughts without judgment. I catch myself when I begin to spiral into guilt for saying no or fear of disappointing others. I remind myself: These thoughts do not serve you. 

Choosing Joy

The “Power of No” is really the power to choose. It’s the power to reclaim time, energy, and attention for the things that light us up.

I still get it wrong. I still overbook myself or forget to pause. I am human and I make mistakes. But each time I choose no with intention, I get a little closer to balance—and a lot closer to joy.

I’ve learned that you can’t do it all well and every now and then, you have to check in with yourself and reclaim that time for joy. I invite you to try this simple practice: the next time someone asks something of you, pause. Breathe. Ask yourself, Does this yes come from love or from fear?

And know this: every “no” you give sets you up to say “yes” to many other things that better fill your cup with joy. Reframing the word no so it doesn’t indicate rejection but instead it’s a powerful redirection back to yourself.

joy https://lologramosconsulting.com/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA9tXw88QAqnoOIjtQMOTnrOU1WfB5&gclid=CjwKCAjwq7fABhB2EiwAwk-YbJK8fDTsylkPoZF7vBBtyQW7wIQeg6yVacn47pqECbjavahWzdHAQRoCLowQAvD_BwE

Enamórate de lo que haces – Fall in Love with What you Do

Posted on by Vicky Masson
love

by Justa Rebollo Paz (LTL Contributor)

Enamórate de lo que haces

❤️ ¡¡¡Y siiiii!!! Febrero. El mes de los enamorados. Y te propongo enamorarte.

❤️ Enamórate de lo que hagas. Lo que hagas, hazlo con amor, hazlo con toda la dedicación, el tiempo y el cuidado que puedas y tengas para ofrecer.

❤️ Porque cuando uno se enamora, da todo.

❤️ Y cuando uno da todo, la cosa sale mejor.

❤️ Si eres mamá, sé la mejor mamá y enamórate de ser mamá.

❤️ Si eres papá, sé un papá con todas las letras, un ejemplo a seguir e imitar.

❤️ Si eres maestra/o, deja todo en el aula, da todo por esos chicos que te esperan cada día.

❤️ Si trabajas en una empresa, hazlo con alegría y contagia buen humor. Diviértete.

❤️ Si eres profesional de la salud, cuida a tus pacientes de la mejor manera que puedas, sabiendo que ellos se entregan a ti confiando.

❤️ Si pasas tus días en un comercio, contagia buena onda a cada cliente que pase a comprar o a mirar lo que vendés.

❤️ Si tienes a cargo muchas personas, lidéralas mostrándoles el camino, arremangándote a la par y enamorándote de tu equipo

❤️ Si trabajas solo/a, independiente, y no estás en contacto con tanta gente en la cotidianeidad, felicítate, cuídate, busca algo que te haga sentir mimado/a y disfruta de ese trabajo.

❤️ Hagas lo que hagas, hazlo con amor.

❤️ Enamórate de lo que hacés.

❤️ Y mágicamente, todo va a fluir mucho más…

❤️ Después cuéntame…

IG @educaraconsciencia

Fall in Love with What you Do

❤️ ¡¡¡Yes!!! February. The month of love. And I propose to you to fall in love.

❤️ Fall in love with what you do. Whatever you do, do it with love, do it with all the dedication, time and care that you can and that you have to offer.

❤️ Because when you fall in love, you give everything.

❤️ And when you give everything, things turn out better.

❤️ If you are a mother, be the best mother and fall in love with being a mother.

❤️ If you’re a dad, be a dad ‘with all the letters’, a role model to imitate.

❤️ If you are a teacher, give everything in the classroom, give everything for those children who wait for you every day.

❤️ If you work in a company, do it with joy and spread good humor. Enjoy yourself.

❤️ If you are a healthcare professional, take care of your patients in the best way you can, knowing that they trust you.

❤️ If you spend your days in a shop, spread good vibes to every customer who comes to buy or look at what you sell.

❤️ If you have a lot of people under your charge, lead them by showing them the way, rolling up your sleeves and ‘falling in love’ with your team

❤️ If you work alone, independently, congratulate yourself, take care of yourself, look for something that makes you feel pampered and enjoy that job.

❤️ Whatever you do, do it with love.

❤️ Fall in love with what you do

❤️ And magically, everything will flow better..

❤️ Then, let me know about what you LOVE

IG @educaraconsciencia

El humor te salva / Humor Heals You (Spanish & English)

Posted on by Vicky Masson
humor

by Justa Rebollo Paz (LTL Contributor)

El humor te salva

Una de las teorías más representativas del humor, tanto en la filosofía como en la psicología e incluso la fisiología, es la teoría de BIENESTAR, el ALIVIO o la SANACIÓN.

El humor (cuyo efecto físico/muscular más claro es la risa), tiene efectos en el sistema nervioso y permite descargar distintos niveles de tensión.

O sea, el humor y la risa tienen el potencial de liberar energía nerviosa acumulada.

  • Llevemos humor por todos lados donde vayamos.
  • Contagiemos humor, risa, alegría.
  • Apelemos al humor en momentos no tan buenos, y transformémoslos en mejores.
  • Respondamos con humor en la vida cotidiana.
  • Descoloquemos la rutina, con una dosis de humor cada día.
  • Despertemos a nuestros hijos con humor, y se despertarán con humor… así de fácil
  • Viajemos con humor, aún con una ciudad llena de tráfico
  • Esperemos el colectivo con humor en esas colas eternas

El HUMOR nos salva de caer en el enojo, en el nerviosismo, en el bajón, en el aburrimiento….

Hagamos de esto un hábito en nosotros. Y de a poco será un hábito y una forma de manejarse para nuestros hijos o nuestras parejas, o nuestros compañeros de trabajo.

Acordate, el humor se contagia.

Y el humor te salva.

Humor Heals You

One of the most representative theories of humor, both in philosophy and in psychology and even physiology, is the theory of WELL-BEING, RELIEF or HEALING.

Humor (whose most obvious physical/muscular effect is laughter) has effects on the nervous system and allows us to discharge different levels of tension.

In other words, humor and laughter have the potential to release accumulated negative energy.

  • Let’s carry humor everywhere we go.
  • Let’s spread humor, laughter, and joy.
  • Let’s appeal to humor in not-so-good moments, and transform them into better ones.
  • Let’s respond with humor in everyday life.
  • Let’s disrupt routine, with a dose of humor every day.
  • Let’s wake up our children with humor, and they will wake up with humor… it’s that easy
  • Let’s travel with humor, even in a city full of traffic
  • Let’s wait for the bus with humor in those eternal queues

HUMOR saves us from falling into anger, nervousness, depression, boredom…

Let’s make this a habit for ourselves. And little by little it will become a habit and a way of handling things for our children or our partners, or our coworkers.

Remember, humor is contagious.

And humor heals you.

https://educar-a-consciencia.webnode.page

Frená / Slow Down (in Spanish and English)

Posted on by Vicky Masson
Slow Down

by Justa Rebollo Paz (LTL Contributor)

Frená

  • 🛑 Frenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
  • 🛑 Frená y mirá
  • 🛑 Frená y prestá atención.
  • 🛑 No andes en piloto automático.
  • 🛑 La vida pasa más rápido de lo que queremos y de lo que esperamos.
  • 🛑 Así que frená y disfrutá de cada instante.
  • 🛑 Frená y viví.
  • 🛑 Frená y valorá.
  • 🛑 Frená y saboreá…
  • 🤍 Ese mate calentito que te preparaste a la mañana.
  • 🤍 Esa persona que te dió una mano en el trabajo.
  • 🤍 El sol en la cara.
  • 🤍 Esa persona que te dejó pasar… o que pasó primero y te sostuvo la puerta para que pasaras.
  • 🤍 Esa flor que ayer estaba por abrir y hoy abrió.
  • 🤍 Las palabras de tu mamá. De tu abuela.
  • 🤍 Las miradas de quien ames.
  • 🤍 Esa persona que te preguntó cómo estabas y realmente quería escuchar tu respuesta.
  • 🤍 Ese amigo que te hace reír.
  • 🤍 El perro moviendo la cola al verte. O el gato ronroneando.
  • 🤍 El mate que ya se lavó un poco pero igual te cebaron con la mejor onda del mundo.
  • 🤍 Ese proyecto que tenés en mente.
  • 🤍 La complicidad.
  • 🤍 El alfajor que te compraste.
  • 🤍 El gorrioncito que pasó por la ventana.
  • 🤍 Ese beso que te dieron. El que te mandaron. O el que todavía esperás.
  • 🤍 Frená en lo simple y vas a ver, que llegas al final de cada día lleno de pequeñas cosas, que hacen bien al corazón.
  • 🤍 Y así, vas a poder coleccionar lindos momentos, lindos recuerdos, para cuando no te quede otra que estar frenado…
  • 🤍 Disfrutemos hoy.
  • 🤍 Y para terminar, te regalo esta frase que no se de quien es pero leí por ahí… “A partir de ahora buscaré los siempre del los jamases y viviré mi vida disfrutándola con todos los matices.”

Slow Down

  • 🛑 Slow down!
  • 🛑 Slow down and watch
  • 🛑 Slow down and pay attention.
  • 🛑 Don’t go on autopilot.
  • 🛑 Life goes faster than we want and expect.
  • 🛑 So slow down and enjoy every moment.
  • 🛑 Slow down and live.
  • 🛑 Slow down and assess.
  • 🛑 Slow down and enjoy…
  • 🤍 That warm mate you prepared yourself in the morning.
  • 🤍 That person who helped you at work.
  • 🤍 The warm sun on your face.
  • 🤍 That person who let you pass… or that passed first and opened the door for you to go 
  • 🤍 That flower that was about to open yesterday and opened today.
  • 🤍 The words you heard your mom say. The ones you heard from your grandmother.
  • 🤍 The gaze of the one you love.
  • 🤍 That person who asked how you were and really wanted to hear your answer.
  • 🤍 That friend who makes you laugh.
  • 🤍 The dog wagging its tail at seeing you. Or the  purr of your cat.
  • 🤍 The mate that is not so strong now but was given to you with all the love in the world. 
  • 🤍 That project you’ve been pondering about for a long time.
  • 🤍 Helping a friend.
  • 🤍 The alfajor you bought for yourself.
  • 🤍 The little sparrow that passed by the window.
  • 🤍 That kiss they gave you. The one they sent you. Or the one you’re still waiting for.
  • 🤍 Slow down on the simple things in life and you’ll see that you get to the end of each day full of little things that fill your heart.
  • 🤍 That way, you will be able to collect nice moments & nice memories for when you have nothing else  than slow down.
  • 🤍 Let’s enjoy today.
  • 🤍 And to finish, I give you this phrase that I don’t know whose it is from but I read it somewhere and loved it… “From now on I will look for the always of the nevers and I will live my life enjoying it with all the nuances”

IG @educaraconsciencia

#disfrutarlavida #disfrutarelmomento #agradecer #gratitude #pequeñosdetalles #nodalomismo #educarconelejemplo #educaraconsciencia🤍

R.E.S.T. During Any Break 

Posted on by Vicky Masson
R.E.S.T.

What’s your favorite part of a summer, winter or any break? For me, it’s all about R.E.S.T.

Yes, taking time to rest during a break is essential for my well being. While physical rest, like slowing down and having periods of inactivity is not only needed but also important, I’m referring here to a different kind of rest— R.E.S.T

The “R” is about Relaxing, Recharging, Renewing, and Reviewing my goals 

According to the Cambridge dictionary, relaxing is a “pleasant activity that makes you become calm and less worried.” When you unwind and set aside your duties, it’s easier to recharge and rethink what you want to accomplish next. It helps you organize your ideas and focus on what truly matters. During your next break, renew yourself and consider the big questions: What have I achieved so far? Where has it taken me? Where am I going?

The “E” in R.E.S.T. is about Engaging, Enjoying, and Evaluating

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines engaging as “having emotional involvement or commitment.” When you are fully engaged, you enjoy what you are doing more and can evaluate your progress with a new light. This helps you find your purpose and move forward with clarity. 

The “S” is about Serendipity

As defined by the Cambridge dictionary, serendipity is “the fact of finding valuable things by chance.” Breaks are perfect times to discover unexpected treasures! I wrote about how ‘serendipity’ inspired me in “Professional and Personal Experiences Inform My Language Curriculum.” Whether meeting new people, visiting new places, or participating in professional learning communities these experiences can inspire you to do something different, thoughtful, and maybe also fun. You never know where your next inspiration will come from.

The “T” in R.E.S.T. is about Trying new things and Trusting yourself

I love learning and being with people, so visiting different places in good company is a must during breaks. Trying new things can open doors to new adventures!—whether it’s a walk on the beach, a visit to a new spot in town, listening to Calm, or tasting a new dish. Inspiration comes in many shapes and forms!

Have confidence in yourself. You’ll make the right choices and create lasting memories from your experiences. Trust yourself; you have it in you! 

Next time you are on a break, think R.E.S.T. You’ll return refreshed and ready for teaching with a new perspective.