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In keeping with the Diocesan guidelines, St Patrick School offers Spanish for all students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. The Spanish program at St. Patrick School is a comprehensive program that introduces students to the Spanish language, the countries where the language is spoken, and the unique and varied culture of the Spanish-speaking world.  Students are also introduced to a brief history of Spain and the Americas, the influence of the Spanish on civilizations such as the Aztec, Maya and Inca, and the religious ties we share with our neighbors to the south as Roman Catholics. 

In Kindergarten through 3^rd grade, students are provided an exposure to the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world through stories, songs and direct instruction. Kindergarten and First grade meet once a week for 30-40 minutes, and  Second and Third grades meet twice a week for a total of 60 minutes  of instructional time per week.  Students learn about the Spanish colonization of the New World,  the Spanish alphabet, pronunciation, basic greetings and goodbyes, colors, numbers (to 30), shapes, days of the week, months of the year, seasons, weather, and prayers in Spanish.  Students receive an effort grade for this class through Third grade.

In grades 4-5, students are introduced to a more academic approach to learning the language.  Classes meet twice a week for approximately 80-90 minutes of instructional time each week.  Students learn basic grammar rules, sentence construction , prepositions,  an introduction to verb conjugation,  and reinforce previously learned material.  In addition they build their vocabulary by learning expressions related to rooms of the house, places in the city, transportation, family members, numbers (to 1,000), telling time, and add to their repertoire of Spanish prayers.  In addition to the use of  text books, students are introduced to language-learning strategies to include the use of flashcards, note-taking skills in class, graded homework assignments and occasional quizzes and tests.  Students are also taught basic study skills that will provide them with a solid foundation for continued foreign language study in middle school and beyond.  Students from grades 4-8 receive both an academic grade and effort grade for this class.

The Spanish program picks up the pace in the Middle School (grades 6-8.) Students have 45 minutes of class four days a week for a total of 180 minutes of instructional time.  Middle School Spanish is the equivalent of High School Spanish level 1, but spread over three years.  Students begin with a review of previously learned material and they add on to their foundation of grammar and vocabulary.  Through daily class participation, homework assignments, tests and projects, students gain confidence in their ability to use the language beyond a beginner/novice level.  Students who attend Diocesan high schools will receive high school credit for Level One upon successful completion of Level Two in high school.   Most students attending both Catholic and local public high schools transition well into Spanish Level Two as freshmen. 

Prayers learned:               Ave Maria (Hail Mary) (Grades 1-8);   Padre Nuestro (Our Father) (Grades 3-8); Gloria (Glory Be) (Grades 4-8); Prayer of St. Richard (Grades 6,7,8); Prayer of St. Patrick (Breastplate) (Grade 8)

PHILOSOPHY

The teaching of foreign languages provides a variety of benefits:

¨      Teaches listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture with emphasis on communication

¨      Exposes students to the beauty and richness of other languages and civilizations

¨      Strengthens cognitive thinking skills

¨      Supports the native language of the student and reinforces English grammar

The ultimate goal of an academic elementary program is to complete successfully the level one high school curriculum.  The high schools currently require a foreign language placement test and/or written recommendation by the student’s foreign language teacher.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE RATIONALE

To support the current/existing philosophy incorporated in the Diocesan Foreign Language Guidelines, we offer the following rationale:

• Research indicates the most successful language learning takes place between birth and age ten to twelve.  At this young age, the child will have an easier time of learning and retaining the language.

• When children study foreign language, they develop higher cognitive thinking skills.  Foreign language study helps students gain a better understanding of the grammar/ structure of their native language.  As a result they usually perform better on standardized tests (Terra Nova, HSP/AT, SAT, ACT).

• Two or three years of foreign language study in high school do not always provide fluency in a foreign language.  Fluency will more likely be reached if the child has started foreign language learning much earlier and continues to advanced levels in high school.

• Study of a foreign language creates citizens who will learn to accept, understand and appreciate the diversity of cultures.  Thinking globally will help to promote world peace.

• In our global society, as the world becomes more interdependent, students’ knowledge of foreign language is crucial for expanded career opportunities.  It will also aid in developing responsible citizens of the world community and bring us closer to realizing the Kingdom of God on earth.