Es primavera...

It’s a bit like primavera, springtime, in the Spanish classroom.

Spanish language skills are blooming in class through student work and presentations. 

It happens each year, when students read, write, and practice using new vocabulary in the classroom that becomes their own.  They're communicating more fluently and don't even realize what they can say and understand.  Some are unaware that they sound like native speakers.

It is a beautiful time in the Spanish classroom when students feel ready 
to speak in their second language and   their fluency 
blossoms.

  These days, the classroom is filled with expert presenters and well crafted ideas.  Students who feel at home with their growing vocabulary find themselves ready to teach and to share.  

They are willing to take risks in another language.  Fortunately,  the classroom is filled with attentive listeners waiting to present as well.

Sixth grade students are presenting on the tropical rainforest of Perú.

Seventh grade students are presenting on the layers of atmosphere, 

God's creative design which protects and cares for all.   

They are wondering about the layers and describing what they find.

Listening to excellent work helps learners edit their own work and master their own pronunciation.  It encourages excellence and fosters oral fluency.

 Eighth grade students are sharing an autobiographical essay with each other where they describe themselves, inside and out and share an idea that is meaningful to them.

¿Cómo eres?  What are you like?
"...Yo soy una persona generosa y cariñosa.

A veces, soy paciente pero nunca soy débil. No soy ni arrogante ni orgulloso.

Me gusta leer. "

"Yo soy amable, nerviosa--solo en la escuela. Yo soy alegre, la mayoría de las veces, y trato de ser optimista."

"Yo soy insolente y divertido. Me gusta futbol...

...No soy artístico ni paciente. También soy inteligente y atlético."

It is a wonderful time of year!

If you’d like to grow emerging linguistic skills this summer here a few suggestions:

The Easy Spanish Reader by Tardy,  is a wonderful choice for anyone who wants to grow oral fluency and learn more history and culture.  It is a well designed book that has the learner in mind.     

If you’d like to experience language through eating there are numerous Spanish restaurants nearby.  Why not go to a place where Spanish is spoken more than English and order in Spanish?  La Isla has various locations and offers wonderful Cuban food.
Noches de Colombia is a great place for authentic Colombian food and culture.
  

Another activity you may want to try this summer is shopping in a Spanish speaking grocery.  Bergenline Avenue in Union City between 31st St. and 45th St. is full of many groceries and restaurants where you will need some conversational Spanish skills to buy tropical fruit or order food.   It would be an authentic language experience.  

Lastly there are two wonderful museums near each other that house excellent artwork from Spain and Latin America.  The Hispanic Society of America is an incredible treasure showing the Spanish artwork of Joaquín Sorolla.  It is free and worth the trip.  The other is El Museo del Barrio.  I will definitely make the trip to upper Manhattan to visit.  Let me know if you're interested in joining me.

Happy Spring!