We teach our curriculum based on themes (vocabulary) which are taught through a variety of interpersonal activities and essential language learning techniques. We also use theme based assessment exercises to evaluate the students' progress throughout the teaching of the program. Themes are constantly revisited and built upon which keeps previously taught themes fresh in the minds of our students. In order to develop and foster different language skills within our students and to accommodate multiple learning styles, we incorporate six methods of teaching our curriculum:
- communicative activities and exercises
- storytelling using a method of questions and answers
- content based activities and extended projects
- music and cultural games
- literature
- theme based assessment exercises
Communicative activities and exercises
We have created and developed our communicative games and activities in order for our students to put into practice the language and to learn the vocabulary of the theme we are teaching. Along with teaching a particular theme, we also have created many games and activities that focus on review which enables our students to maintain vocabulary and language functions previously taught. Game playing and communicative activities are powerful tools for language teaching and many researchers assert that the enjoyment and relaxation that games bring are powerful allies of language acquisition. It has been proved that in language acquisition a playful learning environment allows learners to lose inhibitions, frees them to express themselves more openly, and releases the learners' creative capacity.
Storytelling using a method of questions and answers
The next portion of the program is called Storytelling. Using vocabulary from themes being taught, we create stories with the children using a process of Q & A (learning how to respond to questions is essential for second language acquisition). The children become actors in the stories and we incorporate wigs, costumes and props in order to give the stories more meaning. Once the story is completed the children are asked to retell the story that was just created. By this method, students have an opportunity to use the vocabulary in context and at the same time reinforce already learned utterances. This method is very powerful and engaging and is a central part of our program.
Content based activities and extended projects
During content based activities and extended projects we incorporate arts & crafts, cooking, movie making and other endeavors into our curriculum. These projects and activities are based around the particular theme being taught. By conducting these tasks in the target language, we expose our students to the language while they perform hands on activities. The movie making portion of our curriculum allows our students to practice all of the Spanish that they know and have learned. We use script outlines, props and a green screen to film the movie. We then edit the movie and once it is complete, it is shared with the class and participants' families. Movie making is a lot of fun and it gives our students a great sense of pride and accomplishment when shared with their friends and family.
Music and cultural games
We use music and cultural games as another method which reinforces our curriculum's belief that culture and language go hand in hand. We sing popular Spanish songs and use gestures that follow the songs (TPR: Total Physical Response). By singing, using gestures, and having fun, the children learn vocabulary with ease. During the opening of each session we also play authentic games from the target culture to promote cultural awareness by playing some of the games that Latin American children play.
Literature
We use literature as another way for our students to absorb the language. By seeing the language in text, children are able to associate and process words in context. We use books related to themes being taught and we do different activities and exercises which enable our students to become more engaged in the book and its meaning. Our goal is for our students to model fluent reading behavior, to build vocabulary and concepts and to create an interest in narrative structures.
Theme based assessment worksheets
We start each theme with an assessment worksheet. We do this in order for us to get a better understanding of what our students know regarding the vocabulary being taught. After the initial assessment, we then teach the theme by using all the teaching methods previously explained. At the end of the theme being taught, we give the students the same or similar worksheet to test their knowledge and evaluate their progress. All of our assessments are organized and delivered to the parents at the end of the program.