{"id":23173,"date":"2024-08-20T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smileandlearn.com\/?p=23173"},"modified":"2025-02-06T13:35:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T12:35:35","slug":"teach-spanish-personalized-to-each-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smileandlearn.com\/en\/teach-spanish-personalized-to-each-student\/","title":{"rendered":"Back-to-Spanish: Teach Spanish Language and Culture Personalized to Each Student this School Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spanish is the most spoken language in the U.S. after English. That\u2019s why many Spanish-speaking students and Spanish classes are found in American education. Student commitment and class rigor varies widely, so when new students come in, teachers have to walk the line between losing weaker speakers and boring stronger ones. When it comes to students who may not speak English, teachers need to also find a way to keep them engaged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever your case, Smile and Learn is here with our favorite methods of including both Spanish and English speakers as well as making Spanish class accessible to each learner. Just as important, these tips also bring hispanic culture into the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 5 ideas to get back into the Spanish groove this school year:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Language Pairs<\/strong>: Divide students into two even groups, the experienced Spanish speakers in the class and the newer ones. Then, pair them up, one from each group. Both students will get used to each other\u2019s Spanish and can thus recognize each other\u2019s strengths and weaknesses. The Spanish speaker improves their partner\u2019s Spanish while the other improve\u2019s their partner\u2019s English if necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Parents Bring Keepsakes:<\/strong> Ask parents what their child\u2019s favorite household items are. Then, have the kids keep them in their cubbies. A favorite cup, toy, or book, are all perfect decorations. Parents can make the classroom more bilingual if the donation has Spanish words or hispanic cultural significance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Use Smile and Learn\u2019s Spanish Content Made by Native Speakers: <\/strong>Whether you\u2019re looking to teach Spanish or cater to hispanic students, Smile and Learn is the place to go. Our entire catalog is available in Spanish and English so you can assign Spanish content by age and skill. With this you can meet your students where they are to create a bilingual classroom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Spanish Blinds:<\/strong> If you\u2019re ever in doubt of how to beautify a classroom, adding more colors is always the way to go. Just cut colored tissue paper into long strips and tape them to the curtains or directly above the windows. Now you\u2019ve got an artsy way to cool the classroom and add some color. Even the colored blinds, which at first glance are just for decoration, can have Spanish sentences written on them by students so they can read them as the blinds blow in the wind.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Spanish Art Week: <\/strong>Finally, here\u2019s another way for students to personalize their own classroom. Set out some time over the first week of class for students to make their own artwork. Give your students a hispanic theme to work from, perhaps Salvador Dali or Frida Kahlo. Whether paper-mache, painting, or drawing, by the end of the week they\u2019ll have something if not pretty, at least personal. Parents and students alike will delight in seeing their work decorate the wall. If you\u2019re looking for inspiration, here’s an art video from our Youtube channel. You can even watch the Spanish version for extra immersion!\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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