One disadvantage that the American school system when it come to the rest of the world is that we teach foreign languages too late. Many times students will not be exposed to foreign languages until they are well in their schooling, at aa time when their heads are already preoccupied. This lack of foreign languages can hinder a child?s job prospects later in life especially when it come to be relevant on the international market. For this reason, many schools have made teaching foreign languages a higher priority in elementary and preschool aged children. However, many are under the impression that it is a losing battle trying to teach children, that have barely started speaking English, a second language. Studies actually show that children are quicker on the uptake when it comes to different languages, more than teenagers or even adults. Below you will find ideas to institute a elementary Spanish curriculum in your class.
Visual and Tactile Aids Can Make a Big Difference
It is important to remember that tactility helps children to better associate words and lessons. During your Spanish curriculum lessons, use visual aids. When you are talking about the words for utensil or fruit actually y pass these objects around your class. This way your student?s brains will make not only visual and auditory connections, but haptic connection as well. Anytime that you have a chance make to have visual aids and tactile items, especially when just begging your curriculum.
Use Spanish Story Books to Practice Full Immersion
The best way for anyone to learn a new language is to be in the thick of it. Schedule times during the day in which you only speak in Spanish. For example, you can have a Spanish language story time, in which you only read Spanish Story books and have the students respond only in Spanish. After only a few weeks of these total immersion experiences you should see the students become much more acquainted with the language.
Sing Spanish Versions of Familiar Songs
It has been said that music is the universal language. In the case of your Spanish curriculum you can use it help your students become familiar with common words. In addition to reading Spanish story books, teaching your students songs in Spanish will also give them a better point of reference. Initially use songs that they know in English so that they are able to make parallels between the exchange of words. Once they have become more comfortable start singing songs that they are unfamiliar with and ask to see if they are able to translate the words.
Go on Spanish Language Walks
Sometime the best learning can happen while outside. Take your class for a Spanish language walk around the school grounds, in which you give them directions in Spanish. Every now and then stop to pick up a piece of nature and ask the class to identify it is Spanish. This works especially well during autumn when the leaves are changing and falling. Not only will you be able to reinforce their knowledge of the season, but you will strengthen their Spanish as well.
Encourage Children to Speak Spanish During Free Play Periods
While reading Spanish story books and having planned Spanish lessons are important, the real test of retention happens when the class at a state of play. While your class is in recess keep your ear open for students that are using Spanish words. Once you hear them give them praise and encourage them to continue doing so. These spontaneous uses of Spanish will give you a good idea of who is catching on.
Spanish is one of the most common languages in the world. By exposing children to Spanish early you not only give them a vital leg up in later education, but you also give a love for language that will hopefully stay with them their entire lives. The most important part about any Spanish curriculum for children is to make it enjoyable. The more that children can associate the lessons with fun the more likely the will retain the information in the later stages of their education.