Why are you taking this course? This is the most important question you will need to answer before you commit your time and energy to this class, because it will determine your overall success.  If you believe that you are capable of learning another language, you are already on the right track. Attitude is everything! If you have your doubts, then allow me to challenge that belief by reminding you that you already speak one language, and that means that you have everything it takes inside you, in order to acquire an additional one.  If you are excited to learn Spanish so that you can communicate out in the “real” world, learn about other cultures, challenge and broaden your perspective, and become part of a language learning community, then this class is for you. 

Language acquisition is a subconscious process. This means that your brain is learning without you necessarily noticing that it is happening! In this class, as your teacher, I will create controlled “contexts” for language learning to occur. Every single lesson that you will participate in has been carefully planned and scripted, sometimes for many hours. Additionally, I have embedded multiple research based strategies in each lesson in order to facilitate the process of your learning. Be warned, it is extremely possible that you will catch yourself having a lot of fun during our lessons. When this happens, remember our vision and why you have made a commitment to be here! Respect the process and our time together.

Below are some strategies that I will use in order to help you learn. Feel free to ask me or do some research so that you can get a clearer picture of what these entail:

1. CI – Comprehensible input 
2. TPR- Total Physical Response
3. TPRs – Teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling
4. Movie and Picture talks
5. PQA – Personalized questions and answers
6. Songs, games, and interactive activities
7. Call and response
8. Reader’s theater 
9. Rejoinders and words on the walls 
10. Contextualized routines and procedures

     

I have been a language educator for over fifteen years. Furthermore, as a former member of COACH Foreign Language Project for eight years, a non-profit organization that provides professional development workshops, I have coached other teachers on contemporary language teaching strategies and core practices. I am a mentor teacher for students in the university credential programs who want to become teachers as well. Apart from teaching, I am a proud mother of two incredible children. Some of my hobbies include salsa dancing, hiking, reading and being obsessed with my dogs. I have been anticipating getting the opportunity to meet you and working with you this year!

If you need help come to our Spanish tutorials: 

• Tuesdays - Heritage and AP Spanish Literature
• Thursdays - Spanish 1 and AP Spanish Literature
• Make an appointment after school. 

Join our mindfulness sessions during tutorial on Friday to learn a variety of strategies on how to reduce your stress and improve your mental health. 

Don’t forget to check our calendar on google classroom if you are absent for assignments and for the enfoques.