Every child deserves the opportunity to learn another language AND maintain their language of heritage. A meaningful language learning experience encourages children to be curious and reflective as they explore both the language and the culture. Role-playing is a great way for kids to practice and reflect on effective communication. Effective communication is not just about knowing words, but also about recognizing meaning and purpose.
Current Foundation (K)
In kindergarten, learners receive strong support in recognizing letters and learning their sounds. They also enjoy culturally appropriate songs and rhythms that make language learning fun and meaningful. The excitement of discovering a new language is nurtured through a variety of activities. Along with letter identification and sounds, learners explore familiar topics like numbers, weather, and everyday conversations to build confidence and understanding. By the end of kindergarten, learners are motivated and ready to continue their language learning journey with a solid foundation in place.
Instructional Strategies
In early language learning classrooms, routines play a crucial role in fostering a strong community where learners feel supported and engaged in their language learning. Learning centers are introduced and carefully practiced so that learners can work independently and feel successful with minimal interruptions. These centers engage learners in hands-on activities while the teacher provides targeted support and adapts instruction to meet each learner’s needs. Hands-on activities at the centers keep learners active while helping them build vocabulary, read level-appropriate books in the target language, and receive small-group reading guidance. Whole group activities create a safe, encouraging space where learners practice speaking and communicating in the target language. They also learn to use helpful strategies like body language, circumlocution, and suggested phrases to support their communication.
Learning Design
Language proficiency: According to the ACTFL Proficiency Levels, Novice Low learners begin by naming objects or reciting vocabulary in list form. As they progress, they move on to memorized phrases, eventually combining these with more vocabulary to form full sentences. Over time, learners begin to create sentences, supported by both vocabulary knowledge and growing cultural awareness. Language learning should always be rooted in respect for the language itself and for those who speak it. Classroom expectations should encourage kind words and reflective behavior when using the target language. This helps learners build empathy and patience, both in the classroom and in real-world interactions. Through guided practice and role-playing, learners are reflective and recognize different perspectives from their own, thereby building a foundation for developing cross-cultural interactions, developing positive attitudes towards cultural differences, and embracing diversity.
Content: Lessons should weave content delivered in English into the language learning experiences. This way, multilingual learners who speak Spanish and or are heritage learners recognize that other languages are valued, and we recognize their knowledge and relationship with the Spanish language. Language learning is not only for monolingual learners to gain the knowledge of Spanish, but also for speakers of other languages to recognize that knowing another language is a skill that is valued and fundamental for cross-cultural interactions, developing positive attitudes towards cultural differences, and embracing diversity, including their own.
Assessment Design
Learners are encouraged to take an active role in their learning by recognizing where they are, where they’re going, and how to get there. Through the use of rubrics, portfolios, and reflection, learners develop a sense of responsibility for their progress. These activities include, but are not limited to, self-assessment, benchmarking, and goal setting. Student-led conferences provide a valuable opportunity for learners to showcase their best work, reflect on their growth, and share their future goals. Learners will create a portfolio, called a Linguafolio, to track their language learning progress and collect work that shows their growing proficiency."