Motivation. How can I keep my students motivated to learn 180 days in the year? I really liked the idea of intrigue and mystery to entice the students. A little personal interest can go a long way to motivate students to learn a little more. I'm surprised I haven't seen an educational method that uses competition yet, but I am sure we will be studying it.
Most of the special activities that I do in my class I have learned work best once. I alternate years for my Berlin Wall activity, my Holocaust activity, my Pysanki (Ukranien Easter Egg) activity and I try to also alternate the activity I do at Christmas, Gingerbread Houses or making Advent calendars. Making or creating something new keeps the students enthused. I do an annual Oktoberfest, but only let the 9th graders run it so that the 8th graders have something to look forward to the following year. I don't even warn the students about the Berlin Wall or Holocaust, it is more effective as a surprise.
Finding practical applications is something else that really helps. I love it when my students start to exchange notes in German that their friends can't read. Being able to talk in the lunch room with another German student and everyone around wonders what you are saying gives immediate positive feedback...even if it isn't always grammatically correct.
I really feel that learning is enhanced whenever the student is drawn in and feels involved. Anything I can do to help the student personally want to do better, know more, or share what he knows will always reinforce learning.