We are aware of and understand the concerns of the parents of our Spanish-speaking students.  Some think that their child attending Spanish class is a waste of time since they already speak the language.  Others think their child isn't being challenged enough.  We hope that those concerns will be alleviated as you consider the following:

• If you are thinking your child doesn't need to attend Spanish since they already speak the language, consider this. The fluent English-speaking child will spend years learning all sorts of language arts associated with the English language.  They will learn vocabulary, spelling, phonics, syntax, grammar, reading, writing, listening skills, etc. We are always learning something we didn't know about the very language we have grown up speaking.  The same will be true for the Spanish-speaker.  They need to have opportunities to speak, listen, read and write in their own language.  They need to learn spelling and phonics and grammar.  Rarely do we see a Spanish speaker who is already literate in their language.  They may speak it at home, but their language of choice at school and in general is usually English. They will benefit from what they get in Spanish class.

• In our class, they get to be the expert!  For some students, this is huge!  They may struggle in some other areas, but Spanish is one class where they have the advantage and can really shine!  We often ask them for help when we can't remember a word or when there is more than one way to say something.  We can have them be the scribe or the reader for the class, where they write or read the story that we are acting out.  They can share their culture with the class with respect to special holidays, foods, customs, life in a Spanish-speaking country, etc.  What an opportunity to experience first-hand the benefits of knowing more than one language!

• Part of our job as PYP teachers is to connect with what students are learning in their homeroom.  For example, if 3rd grade is talking about symbols in their unit of inquiry, we can connect that to the country that we are focusing on for the year (Mexico) as we look at the symbols of Day of the Dead.  In 5th grade we front-load the Phenomena Project that students will creating in their homerooms.  This is important to the inquiry process.  Our learning is about more than just language.  

• From time to time, we have had parents ask us to provide something more advanced for their child to do during Spanish class instead of participating in what the rest of the students are doing.  Since we can't leave 20+ students alone and work only with that Spanish-speaking student, the options are pretty limited.  We do journal with them to help them increase their writing skills. However, what we've seen time and again is that the student would rather be doing what the rest of us are doing.  The activities we have designed are meant to be fun, engaging, memorable and interactive.  They are meant to provoke curiosity and intrigue.  No student wants to be on the sidelines while the rest of the class does something fun.  As for the computer games, they can do that at home, but they can't engage with their peers in the fun activity at home.  Also, they will miss out on the connections we are making with the units of inquiry their homeroom teachers are guiding them through. The culture lessons that we have prepared are things they, too, will find fascinating.  They are missing out - not only on the fun, but on a learning opportunity.  

• If you haven't done so already, check out our answer to the question Will my child be fluent after 6 years at Spicewood?  In the bullets, we talk about the things that we am intentional about doing.  These are things that will benefit even the Spanish-speaker.  We hope you will allow them to take full advantage and not feel that they aren't being challenged.