Frequently+Asked+Questions


 * Why is Spanish class taught only in Spanish?**

Your child is learning Spanish the same way he/she learned his/her first language, through immersion in the language. Because the children have Spanish only an hour each week it is important that I provide a language-rich environment for them. The children are not expected to understand every word or be able to translate what I say, but instead get the gist of what is being said. During class I use routines to help them learn Spanish and make them feel more comfortable. We always begin and end class the same way and as the year progresses we add more routines.

If your child talks to you about being frustrated during Spanish class, you can remind him/her that he/she will understand more and more as the year progresses. I use many actions, gestures, and pictures to convey meaning. If your child watches closely, he/she will better understand what is going on in class.


 * How can I help my child if I don’t speak Spanish?**

At the end of every unit, I will post to this wiki the vocabulary for the next unit. As your child learns the new vocabulary, encourage him/her to teach you. You can use the games linked to this wiki to practice the vocabulary with your child.


 * What are some methods or strategies Sra. Murphy uses to teach Spanish?**

//Total Physical Response// combines listening with physical movement. Actions are used to represent vocabulary taught in the target language. This is a very engaging way to introduce new vocabulary in a meaningful way.

With the //Natural Approach//, teachers work to make the language meaningful and memorable. In the beginning**,** the focus is on listening. The teacher uses a sequence of questions that gradually shift students from the listening to the speaking mode. This method is similar to the way in which your child learned his/her native language.

//Rhymes, chants//, and //songs// are fun ways to teach children chunks of language. Often when a child cannot remember a word in the target language, the teacher only needs to hum the song where s/he learned the word and the child will be able to produce the forgotten word. These also provide insight into the target culture.

In the early second language class, you may see //partner// and //small group// activities that are designed to allow your child to practice the language with different peers. There can be information exchanges where the children are interviewing or surveying each other, finding similarities and differences, or following and giving directions. These activities are student-centered and build on students’ language skills and interests.

//Storytelling// is often used in a language class. At the beginning of a child’s language experience, the story will contain a large number of visuals and actions to help convey the meaning. By introducing stories in the target language, the teacher is able to introduce vocabulary in a meaningful way and he/she can also teach certain aspects of the culture from which the story comes.