"QUERER ES PODER" (Where there is a will, there is a way)
Some people already know that learning to speak another language is one of the most gratifying and challenging experiences in life! Below are some general guidelines to help in this process and an attached article with more specifics.
Time at home will need to be spent on learning vocabulary, practicing oral Spanish skills, and completing assignments in order for your children to be successful. For many students, using flashcards and doing extra written practice helps them become confident and willing to use Spanish both in and outside the classroom.
It is also important to know that mistakes are a completely natural part of the process; in Spanish class, we CELEBRATE them and LEARN from them… because we all make them!
Successful language learning calls on all of the senses and uses many skills that are not necessarily used in other kinds of learning. Because the goal is to learn to communicate, students are expected to interact with each other and with the teacher as they learn to express themselves about things they like to do (and don’t like), their personalities, favorite foods, celebrations, pastimes, and more.
Listening is also an important skill that will lead to successful reading and writing in Spanish. Students must memorize challenging vocabulary and structures, then practice orally for many hours before they are able to share original ideas, ask and answer questions, and discuss similarities and differences between cultures in both languages.
In class it is important for students to work cooperatively with others to practice new words, phrases, sounds, and sentence structures. Your children will be provided with a variety of tasks including Internet activities to learn and practice communicating in Spanish. They will complete written activities, listen to songs and videos, take written quizzes or tests, and complete performance tasks in pairs, small groups, or individually. It is VERY important for students to bring all required materials to every class period.
Please do not hesitate to ask me for more ideas for how to help with learning Spanish. I am available after school for free tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Spanish classroom. Encourage your children to schedule time with me if they feel they need extra help or just want to try their luck playing "Loteria". These two days could be time for students who are in GAINS READING or GAINS MATH to continue some exposure to the Spanish language, a great time to play games and watch movies in Spanish.
I am so proud of your children’s progress and will do everything I can to add to their skills as they progress from one grade level to the next. If your children have any special needs, I am ready to work together with you to find the best techniques for helping them to learn Spanish. I am passionate about this! For more ideas, please see the attachement below "What Can I Do to Help My Child Learn Spanish?"
Vayan con Dios,
Maestra Tere Solís
