Course title

Pre-requisite

Course description

Spanish for Spanish Speakers is a course designed to meet the particular needs of heritage/native learners. This course is specifically for heritage/native speakers of Spanish who already have some oral language proficiency. The purpose of this course is to strengthen the cultural and linguistic skills of Spanish heritage learners.

Heritage/native speakers of Spanish need a course specifically designed for them due to their significant linguistic differences to L2 Learners (English speakers learning Spanish as a second language). These two groups are different linguistically; affectively and academically. Instruction of Heritage/Native speakers must be based on an understanding of the differences between L2 learners and these groups assets. (See the annex below this proposal)

We are aware of the linguistic and cultural experiences that students already have. Our goal is to increase that knowledge and experience by expanding their oral and written skills; improving their reading skills and critical thinking; exploring issues related to identity and culture; and connecting them with the local and global community. This course will take students from social language (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills-BICS) to use of language in academic settings (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency- CALP).

This course will be conducted in Spanish and is created because traditional language courses we offer are not academically challenging for the Hispanic population. We will offer two sections for the 2020-2021 school year to start the program and 2 sections for the 2021-2022 school year. After the two-year program students will be enrolled into AP Language and Literature and AP Language and Culture.† This course will allow students to fulfill the college entrance requirement for foreign language and take the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) to earn the by-literacy seal.

Vision statement

To help heritage Spanish speakers develop their bilingual skills; to empower them to apply those skills in academic and professional settings and to feel proud of their cultural and linguistic heritage.

Bilingual- Bicultural - Successful

Purpose of heritage language classes:

1. Language maintenance.
2. Acquisition or development of a prestige variety/academic; standard form of language.
3. Expansion of bilingual range.
4. Transfer of literacy skills.
5. Acquisition and development of academic skills in the heritage language.
6. Positive attitudes towards both the heritage language and the various dialects of its cultures.
7. Acquisition and development of cultural awareness.

†

Heritage Language Teaching: Research and Practice. (Beaudrei; Ducar; Potowski; 2014)

School country

School state

School city

High school

School / district Address

School zip code

Requested competency code

Date submitted

Approved

Approved competency code

• LNG1
• 1st year of Foreign Language

Approved date

Online / Virtual