| Ridgecrest 's Foreign Language Program is... |
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Why teach foreign languages in elementary school? |
According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, the early study of a second language offers many benefits for students including academic achievement, positive attitudes toward diversity, flexibility in thinking and sensitivity to language. The results of a recent survey show a rising awareness and increase in the teaching of foreign languages.
At Ridgecrest Elementary, the children will be learning Spanish. We will be using Español para ti in the intermediate grade and in the primary grades, beginning with kindergarten. While teaching the basics of Spanish, Español para ti teaches and reinforces essential content in mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, art and music, career awareness, health – all the things teachers already teach!
Español para ti employs a "spiral" method of teaching. Material is usually introduced in one lesson, practiced in several succeeding lessons, dropped for a while, and then practiced again. New material is always introduced in the context of known vocabulary and explanations are always given in English so no one is ever lost. The videos are the heart of the program and the classroom teacher is the facilitator who watches the video with the children and responds along with them. The on-screen video teacher introduces small amounts of information at a time, and she explains in English what is happening.
By the end of the program, children will be able to:
* Understand basic vocabulary and structures that are essential
for everyday communication
* Respond to simple questions and commands using words,
phrases, and in some instances short sentences
* Read and write simple sentences
* Describe or demonstrate customs from Spanish speaking countries
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