Dear Principal,
I am writing to tell you about a unit I am excited to teach. At our school, students speak many different kinds of Spanish. In this unit we will discover the meaning and importance of learning that there are multiple right ways of speaking Spanish that is embraced and understood across borders. Teaching in the context of ‘Spanish Across Borders’, to my 11th and 12th grade Spanish class, I plan to teach my students the importance of culture while learning Spanish as well and how it promotes self-esteem amongst students without making those who don’t speak the language feel left out by monolingual students who, perhaps, dominate the English language. I’ll do so by expanding on my student’s current knowledge and be able to connect real world experience and bring it into context so that my students will better understand the material being taught with a respect to cultures and bringing in a sense of equality as well. Understanding each other, promoting respect, and engaging with students while they learn. By doing so my students will be able to answer the question of cultural and what it represents to them; “it also helps sustain a sense of identity and strengthen self-conception in the dominant society… it would contribute to strengthening self-esteem among” students (Huang, 1992, p. 3). Research has proven that “Dual Language Education programs in high school students are: (a) as or more likely to be enrolled in higher level math courses, (b) as or more likely to pass the high school exit exam, (c) less likely to drop out of school, and (d) more likely to close the gap with native English speaking peers by the end of high school” (Lindholm-Leary, 258).
The unit is concentrating in Spanish linguistics and how it connects with our everyday world. The purpose of this unit is to engage students into a more culturally experienced way of learning Spanish through real life conversations online (pen pal virtually) rather than reading conversations given in textbooks. This is important to teach this context because it will stimulate the students to be culturally sensitive as well as learning and embracing another cultural they may or may not know or know very little about. The focus will be incorporating the 21 different variations of Spanish, in Latin America, and research a country of their choosing (Spanish-speaking). This will serve as a more authentic way to form connections with another country and its language. We must be willing to embrace multiculturalism; “the tragedy, and irony, is that effective bilingual programs, which insure that all children have a chance to succeed, are the likely casualties of this assault” (Katz, 2002, p. 6.). This instruction will help and promote our student’s academic development.
My students will be able to grapple the understanding that learning Spanish in a non-traditional way to explore more in depth the diverse society and its culture is important, it will be beneficial for the students to become culturally responsive throughout the curriculum, and also learning that Spanish is more than just learning the language, but getting to known the culture and its history to better understand the language. Identify pronunciations amongst different cultures and certain vocabulary as well. Students will also be able to develop online pen pals and perhaps further their interest in studying abroad later on in college if its something that is interesting to them.
I am excited to start this unit with my students in May and I am looking forward to better discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Best,
Stefanie Rodríguez