The Spanish Curriculum at St. Stanislaus is based on the latest research in language acquisition. A combination of approaches is used throughout the Pre-K through 8th grade classes. The main method of instruction is based on the Comprehensible Input method. Students are given input through reading and listening. Eventually, they are able to start writing and speaking as they become more comfortable. This methodology is adjusted for each grade level to meet their specific needs and individual feedback is given regularly. Children are invited to read and listen in Spanish and can use signals and gestures to communicate. Teaching provides opportunities to hear the language spoken, but the use of cognates and gestures aid in learning, especially in the beginning. As it comes up during instruction, mini lessons in grammar do occur, but are not the sole focus of the class.
Students are also introduced to culture within the Spanish-speaking world, and this is embedded into their lessons or thematic units.
Symtalk: (pre-K through 5)
Symtalk is a simple but effective approach to language learning that has students speaking Spanish in full sentences within minutes. We use a series of symbol/drawing cards to represent different concepts and ideas and string these cards together to create sentences for the students to “read”. Emphasis is put on listening, repeating and speaking, with the ultimate goal of organic language output as a child becomes comfortable doing so.
The Symtalk program can be used for all levels, even preschool! Older children will have workbook pages that align with the symbol cards and will allow them to practice writing and reading in Spanish. Ultimately, our goal is to get children to feel comfortable listening to, reading, writing and speaking in Spanish.
Rockalingua: (all grades)
Rocklingua is a program created by educators in Spain for Spanish language learning through videos, songs and activities. We have a school-wide account for students and parents to access all the activities in this program. The topics or themes of the video target the major language structures used in the Spanish-speaking world. Through song and movement or gestures, students learn to express ideas in a way that is natural for Spanish speakers. The songs are catchy and the students retain the concepts more effectively since they are embedded in song.
Vamos 1/Somos 1: (grades 6-8)
Vamos 1 (for exploratory classes) and Somos 1 are proficiency-based programs, encompassing all modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. Students use reading, writing, listening and speaking to communicate in Spanish. These programs are also based on the Comprehensible Input method of language acquisition. Students acquire language through collaborative storytelling, listening and responding to mini-movie clips, embedded readings, TPR (Total Physical Response), questions and answers, reading and discussing. Students will output the language naturally as they feel comfortable, and are given low-risk opportunities to participate. This helps to build confidence in the language. Some instruction is teacher led, other instruction is cooperative, partnered or in small groups. Culture is embedded in the curriculum through story activities and movies/video clips. Learning is scaffolded to build on previous knowledge, and that previous knowledge is woven back into the curriculum as the students advance.