This bio is from that strong Maine group:
My name is Dennis Gallagher and I teach French and Spanish at Greely Middle School (grades 6, 7 and 8) in Cumberland, Maine. In October of 2011, after attending a Susan Gross two-day workshop, our entire department (six teachers) voluntarily switched to TPRS/CI. We stored our books and just started. We had all been dabbling in stories for some time, but we just couldn’t see the point of continuing some kind of “hybrid” class of grammar-focused material, endless lists of theme-related vocabulary words and then a few stories scattered here and there. It was very painful the first year. We are starting to develop some type of rhythm this year, sharing stories and techniques and so it is much better. I have been experimenting with MovieTalk and embedded readings. I have about five more years before I retire and I can’t believe that I am having so much fun with my students. Moreover, they are learning so much. What amazes me is that the students’ questions about language and language learning are on an entirely different level. To me, language learning has become one long volleyball game so we all have to pay attention! That’s why I am here.