Language and communication are at the heart of the
human experience. The United States must educate students who are equipped
linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a pluralistic
American society and abroad. This imperative envisions a future in which
ALL students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at
least one other language, modern or classical.
Standards for Foreign Language Learning:
Preparing for the 21st Century, 1996, p.7
San Francisco Day School’s Spanish Department agrees with the above statement.
Our course of study in grades four through eight is based upon a set of principles
governing language education. These tenets are based on language education research
and are supported by experience.
All students can experience success in Spanish.
Students learn/acquire in different ways.
Language acquisition is a life-long process.
Students acquire proficiency at different rates.
Students develop the needed skills to be citizens of a global society
by learning a second language.
Students are involved in interdisciplinary connections when learning Spanish.
Students’ learning is assessed on a regular basis (using varied tools
honoring different learning styles) and reflects the students’ ability
to communicate in Spanish.
Goals of the Program
Students develop the ability to communicate with Spanish speakers (listening,
speaking, reading, and writing).
Students demonstrate enthusiasm for learning Spanish
Students learn how language is acquired and how to do it.
Students display knowledge and appreciation for the cultures of Spanish-speaking
people.
Students gain interdisciplinary perspectives through studying Spanish in
the content areas (history, geography, social studies, science, math, and
the fine arts), thereby also gaining intercultural understandings.
