Experiencias...

Una buena semana!! February 22nd-

This is my fourth week of teaching! It’s been awesome to see how my students are responding to my daily teaching. In fact some of my kinder garden students have been bringing me flowers from their recess almost every day.  Although, these little ones are usually the one that give me most stress and work ;)

One of the most difficult times I found during these 4 weeks is about teaching on Wednesday because during Weds we get students not by their levels, but by their homeroom classes. It is complicated to understand and follow such schedule, there are always deadlines and things I needed to learn in order to teach those days.  I just feel that it is way too much for a new brand teacher who is trying to remember 120 names from the other regular teaching days, to be learning another 120 names for Weds.  Personally, I don’t like to call on students and not to know their names. I found sometimes myself asking for every single student’s names when I call them for something. I just don’t like that because I think it is very impersonal not to know your students’ names.  In addition to not knowing my most of my Wed students, On Weds I have to use L1 most of the time (90%) due to the school’s perspective that in order to teach Spanish culture, the Spanish team must use the L1, which with all the respect, I believe it’s a waste of time and effort not only for us but also for the students as well. I work really hard during the other days to use and keep the L2 to be the main language during my classroom time to just forget it all in one day…. I don’t think so, but I COMPLETELY understand that it’s not my business to judge or say what I think about it. I know this is the time for me to learn and get the best out it; still this is just my opinion about the L1 and L2 in classroomJ

Overall, I strongly believe that my school has one the best Spanish program I have ever seen in the Triangle area. Most of the students I have are in advanced Spanish level classes, and you will be amazed to hear and see them interact in the L2, that is why I believe that there is no need to use the L1 on Wed, but like I said, I respect that perspective and decision too. Also, their writing skills are really good for their age!! I’m very impressed by what I have seen so far.

I feel I am very lucky to be in Joyner School. I love to see the passions that some of the Spanish teachers have for their job and it is reflected on the students’ skills and development.