Foreign Language Elementary School
Adding culture and language to the classroom
Why foreign language at the elementary level?
“Correlation studies show students who have had several years of foreign language do better on SATs, particularly the verbal part,” Redmond says.
Having foreign language in the classroom helps students at an early age by bringing in culture and languages from other countries. We can help to advance our students cognitive capabilities which will open more doors for then in the future.
Book by Edmond: “Teacher to Teacher: Model Lessons for K-8 Foreign Language.”
First hand look at how Becker Elementary has shaped their students with foreign language
Way Foreign Language uses Kinesthetic, Tactile, Visual and Auditory Learning
Flashcards
Flashcards help students connect new vocabulary with visuals.
Singing
Sing a song in a foreign language helps students practice speaking and learn new vocabulary.
Modeling
Students can learn vocabulary by pointing to parts of their body and repeating words after the teacher.
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” ‒Frank Smith
Benefits of Language Learning Research
2. "Second language learners (1) have improved test scores; (2) are able to think divergently; (3) achieve in their first language; and (4) attract and maintain parent involvement."
3. "Higher mean scores than the control group in arithmetic and English grammar, although their scores were slightly lower than the control group in English punctuation, comprehension, and vocabulary."
4. "(1) when verbal ability is controlled, students who study foreign language for longer periods of time will do better on various SAT sub-tests and on the SAT-Verbal as a whole than students who have studied less foreign language;"
5. "Socioeconomically underprivileged students (both Black and White) benefited from an immersion-type introduction to a foreign language as much as students from middle class homes did."
http://www.actfl.org/advocacy/discover-languages/what-the-research-shows
Leah Oropesa
Email: oropesa2@ksu.edu
Website: spanishshoebox.net
Phone: (785)320-0435