FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Embedded Files
Do all students receive Spanish FLES instruction?
Yes. All students participate in FLES.
How can I help my child acquire Spanish faster?
Language acquisition is a naturally gradual process—students can usually understand more than they can produce. Just like learning their first language, comprehension comes before speaking and writing, so progress takes time—and that’s completely normal!
You can support your child by celebrating their efforts, encouraging curiosity, and showing interest in what they’re learning. We’ve also created an additional website with extra Spanish resources to explore at home (linked below).
My child doesn’t speak much Spanish yet. Is that normal?
Yes! This is a completely normal and important stage in language learning called the silent period. When children are first exposed to a new language, they often spend time listening, observing, and understanding before they feel ready to speak. During this time, they are absorbing vocabulary, sentence structures, and pronunciation, even if they aren’t talking much yet.
Think of it like a baby learning their first language—they listen for months before saying their first words. Similarly, in FLES Spanish, your child may respond with gestures, short phrases, or even just smiles while processing the language internally.
Why it matters:
The silent period allows children to build comprehension without pressure to speak perfectly.
It reduces stress and anxiety, helping students gain confidence before they begin to produce the language.
Speaking will naturally emerge over time as students feel ready to use what they’ve learned in meaningful communication.
How you can support:
Encourage your child to listen and engage with Spanish at school and home—songs, stories, or games are great.
If you speak Spanish, avoid pressuring them to speak perfectly; instead, model phrases and celebrate any attempts.
Remember, comprehension precedes production. Your child is learning a lot, even in silence!
Creator of The Comprehensible Classroom, Martina Bex, explains the concept of the silent period perfectly in this video.
I don’t speak Spanish. How do I know if my child is learning?
FLES teachers are specially trained to create engaging, research-based opportunities for language learning every day. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, your support and encouragement make a big difference in your child’s confidence and motivation. Students are learning through meaningful listening, speaking, reading, and interacting—not through rote memorization—so progress may not always look like traditional tests or homework.
We carefully track growth in comprehension and communication, and we will always reach out if we notice any concerns. In the meantime, you can celebrate your child’s successes, ask them to share what they’ve learned, and enjoy seeing them gain confidence and joy in using another language.
What if my child is already a native Spanish speaker? Will they still participate in FLES?
Yes! Native Spanish speakers participate in FLES alongside their classmates. The class gives them a chance to shine while continuing to grow. They’ll expand reading and writing skills, practice academic and formal language, and explore cultural content and projects they might not encounter at home.
Even fluent students benefit from working with classmates, practicing clear communication, and engaging in structured, meaningful activities. Don’t worry—we handle it much better than Sr. McIntosh in the SNL skit “Spanish Class” with Ana de Armas and Marcello Hernández! FLES helps all students build confidence, literacy, and fluency while having fun with the language.
What's the difference between an immersion program, FLES, and FLEX?
Immersion
Time in Language: Most or all of the school day, 5 days a week
Focus: Students learn core subjects like math, science, and social studies in the target language, while also developing fluency.
Goals: Functional proficiency, mastery of subject content, and understanding of other cultures.
Typical Outcome (by the end of 5th grade if starting in Kindergarten): Intermediate to advanced proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) → What We Offer
Time in Language: 3–5 days a week, 30–50 minutes per class
Focus: Students learn the language itself while sometimes learning core content through Spanish. Emphasis is on listening, speaking, and meaningful communication, with age-appropriate literacy and reading support.
Goals:
Develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and some writing
Use content as a vehicle for language acquisition
Build cultural understanding
Support classroom curriculum (ELA, math, science, social studies) while keeping Spanish fun and engaging
Typical Outcome (by the end of 5th grade if starting in Kindergarten): Novice High in listening, speaking, reading; Novice Mid in writing
FLEX (Foreign Language Exploration)
Time in Language: 1–2 days a week, 15–30 minutes per class
Focus: Introduction to basic vocabulary, phrases, and language awareness; includes cultural exposure.
Goals: Spark interest in languages, develop listening skills, and build cultural awareness.
Typical Outcome (by the end of 5th grade if starting in Kindergarten): Novice Low to Novice Mid in listening, speaking, reading; Novice Low in writing
The Center for Applied Linguistics has a great explanation of the difference on their website linked below.
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