Spanish in the Classroom
In today’s interconnected world, learning a second language is a vital skill that opens doors to new opportunities and cultures. At St. Mary Catholic Virtue School, we believe language programs also help nurture key virtues like empathy, patience, and fortitude. These virtues are crucial for our students; academic growth and for shaping them into compassionate global citizens, equipped to communicate, understand and collaborate in a diverse society. Learning a second language broadens student’s horizons, strengthens their cognitive and emotional skills, and cultivates virtues that will guide them in a future where adaptability, respect, and perseverance are key.
K-2 Stage
What are they learning?
In the early years of learning Spanish, we focus primarily on acquiring basic vocabulary, mastering the alphabet and its sounds, as well as understanding simple sentences and how to respond appropriately.
It is essential that, during these early years, students develop a love for the language and become eager to expand their learning. Equally important is helping them overcome the fear of making mistakes or feeling embarrassed, so they feel encouraged to try and practice without hesitation. We work on vocabulary, comprehension, and writing through songs and stories, which facilitate contextualized learning. Additionally, we use a variety of worksheets to reinforce the knowledge acquired and assess the students progress.
What are the goals?
1. Basic Communication Skills
2. Cultural Awareness
3. Building Listening Skills
4. Developing Pronunciation and Phonemic Awareness
5. Vocabulary Expansion
6. Cognitive and Social Skills Development
7. Fostering a Positive Attitude Toward Language Learning
8. Early Literacy in Spanish
3-4 Stage
What are they learning?
In the 3rd and 4th grade, the main focus remains on reading comprehension, working intensively through stories that allow students not only to understand the content but also to develop their ability to infer and analyze.
Writing becomes more challenging as students begin to create their own sentences and responses to questions related to the stories, using the grammatical structures they have learned so far. This process encourages autonomy and creativity in language use.
Reading is the central pillar of these courses, and with the varied grammar in the stories, we gradually introduce new grammatical structures and rules. Additionally, we reinforce a broad and diverse vocabulary, avoiding overly structured teaching and allowing students to learn and apply words in different contexts.
Verbs, personal pronouns, nouns, adjectives, and the gender and number of words play a key role in the development of both comprehension and production in the language, as they are essential elements for effective communication in Spanish.
What are the goals?
1. Building Conversational Skills
2. Expanding Vocabulary
3. Improving Listening and Speaking Skills
4. Basic Reading and Writing Skills
5. Understanding Basic Grammar Structures
6. Cultural Exploration
7. Developing Intercultural Communication
8. Building Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
9. Fostering a Lifelong Interest in Language Learning
10. Enhancing Self-Confidence and Communication Skills
5-6 Stage
What are they learning?
In the 5th and 6th-grade courses, we focus primarily on grammar and vocabulary, essential for building a strong foundation in Spanish, alongside the English curriculum.
Each unit introduces a Spanish-speaking country, allowing students to learn new language concepts while exploring its culture and traditions. This immersion enhances their linguistic skills and deepens their understanding of the country’s customs and lifestyle. We also focus on more complex grammar structures, such as verb tenses, gender and number agreement, pronouns, and the formation of more advanced sentences and texts. Vocabulary is diversified and linked to cultural topics, helping students learn new words in a natural and contextual way.
Students develop all the essential language skills, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
What are the goals?
1. Enhancing Conversational Fluency
2. Expanding Vocabulary and Expression
3. Refining Listening and Speaking Skills
4. Developing Reading Comprehension
5. Improving Writing Skills
6. Understanding Advanced Grammar
7. Cultural Immersion and Exploration
8. Promoting Interpersonal and Collaborative Skills
9. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in Spanish
10. Fostering a Lifelong Passion for Spanish
7-8 Stage
What are they learning?
With the knowledge gained in previous units and grades, in the later years of middle school we continue to expand our learning through new grammatical structures and vocabulary, always closely linked to the English curriculum. This approach allows both languages to progress in parallel, integrating concepts in a coherent manner.
Not only are new content areas introduced, but there is also a deeper exploration of previously learned concepts, making connections and solidifying the knowledge in a more comprehensive way. The practical application of these concepts plays a crucial role, especially in projects that challenge students to step out of their comfort zone. These activities help reinforce their critical thinking, promoting deep reflection and the ability to solve problems independently.
What are the goals?
1. Achieving Conversational Fluency
2. Expanding Vocabulary and Language Functionality
3. Strengthening Listening and Speaking Skills
4. Developing Reading and Interpretation Skills
5. Enhancing Writing Proficiency
6. Mastering Advanced Grammar Structures
7. Cultural Exploration and Understanding
8. Applying Language in Real-Life Contexts
9. Fostering Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills
10. Building Confidence and Lifelong Learning
11. Preparing for High School Spanish