“Learning a second language in the elementary school
is an essential part of a child's education and development.”
is an essential part of a child's education and development.”
¡BIENVENIDOS!
Welcome to our new families and a huge gracias to all returning families for your continued support of the Spanish program at HFS.
My full name is Maria Teresa Velasco Solís - the students simply use“Maestra Tere”. I am very excited to begin a new school year at Holy Family as the K to 8 Spanish Instructor. With school and home working together, I know that every student will have the opportunity for a successful learning experience in Spanish class. Below you will read about the HFS Spanish Program and find links to articles related to second language learning and teaching.
Welcome to our new families and a huge gracias to all returning families for your continued support of the Spanish program at HFS.
My full name is Maria Teresa Velasco Solís - the students simply use“Maestra Tere”. I am very excited to begin a new school year at Holy Family as the K to 8 Spanish Instructor. With school and home working together, I know that every student will have the opportunity for a successful learning experience in Spanish class. Below you will read about the HFS Spanish Program and find links to articles related to second language learning and teaching.
I believe you would agree that World Language study is essential today. Perhaps you have heard the following, or even said it yourself: “I took Spanish for two years and … I can’t speak a word.” My vision for the future is to hear adults begin a conversation about their language study by saying: “I started learning Spanish early and now…I can speak with ease!”
Developing fluency and proficiency in a second language requires many years of uninterrupted study with daily practice. Just as our first language, there is a gradual process for learning a second one; it takes TIME, PATIENCE, and PRACTICE. I know your children will benefit from the early start as well as the effort it takes to acquire a skill that will enrich their lives forever and may allow them to serve others in the future.
The primary goal of the HFS Spanish program is to build a strong foundation where learners may develop future proficiency for communicating effectively in Spanish. We believe that learning a second language at an early age has many positive effects. Language exposure can enrich and enhance overall cognitive development, open the door to other cultures, help a child understand and appreciate people from other countries, and give a student a head start in language requirements for future educational opportunities.
At HFS School, Spanish is taught from Kinder through Eighth Grade. The curriculum is based on the National Standards for World Language Learning (1996): COMMUNICATION, CULTURES, CONNECTIONS, COMPARISONS, and COMMUNITES, “The 5C's”. Depending on student age, classes meet from 25 minutes to 45 minutes each session; from one to four times per week. Classes for grades K to 4 are similar to a FLEX program, “Foreign Language Experience or Exploration”. These programs are designed to provide an introduction to one or more languages, with limited development of language skills.
Our program emphasizes listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills. Through the use of manipulatives, visuals, stories, songs, movements, dialogues, presentations, question/answer activities, and games, students are given the opportunity to learn basic conversational Spanish and to develop a positive attitude toward different cultures and language learning.
Ms. Melissa Arredondo will continue to support learning in the classroom three days per week. She is a graduate of HFS and more recently, from the University of Arizona. She loves working with children and is tri-lingual! Melissa has made a positive difference for our program and I am grateful to have her as an assistant.
I will be happy to hear from you at any time during the year; email is my best form of communication. I expect this to be an exciting and fulfilling year in your child’s Spanish language experience. Thank you for supporting their progress. I know in the future, they will say “¡gracias!”
Sinceramente, Maestra Tere
I will be happy to hear from you at any time during the year; email is my best form of communication. I expect this to be an exciting and fulfilling year in your child’s Spanish language experience. Thank you for supporting their progress. I know in the future, they will say “¡gracias!”
Sinceramente, Maestra Tere
The following links lead to articles related to language acquisition. I look forward to our conversations on these topics and more!
· Tips to Study
How to learn any language
National Standards for Foreign Language Education
MORE Tips on Studying a Foreign Language
How to learn any language
National Standards for Foreign Language Education
MORE Tips on Studying a Foreign Language
