Español

Program overview

In our JWS Spanish FLEX program, students are instructed for one semester in Spanish and one semester in Mandarin. During the semester, students will have a 60 minute Spanish class twice per week and strive to reach novice high to intermediate low levels of proficiency after studying the language from grades preK-8. As a novice high to intermediate low level learner, students can use words, phrases, and simple sentences to:

• Introduce themselves,

• Name people, places and things they see,

• State likes/dislikes and preferences on familiar topics,

• Give simple descriptions of people, places, and familiar things

• Tell when they do certain activities (days, time, months, seasons), and

• Ask and respond to simple questions on familiar topics

We use the ACTFL Can-Do Benchmarks and focus on reading, listening, writing and speaking (interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal) performance activities and assessments while integrating and celebrating global and student cultures and identities.

We have organized cultural fine arts programming (through Urban Gateways) to support Social Studies curriculum during our Hispanic Heritage units for grades 3-6. Annually with the Chicago Latino Film Festival we bring authentic Latino cinema to grades 6-8 and have coordinated with FACETS to bring Hispanic Cinema to our 3-5 grades. We also have a Hispanic Heritage Club which:

• leads the annual Hispanic Heritage Assembly, Contests, and Celebrations,

• incorporates Afro-Latino contributions to our Black History Month celebrations, and

• develops primary Hispanic Literacy initiative for Día de los Niños (Day of the Children).

As a James Ward Spanish student, you will be afforded the knowledge to think as a global citizen as you learn the Spanish language and its many cultures. You will learn to interpret spoken and written Spanish language as well as speak and write Spanish at the novice to intermediate level.