Denys Gardeazabal
World Languages Spanish – Grades K-3
New Jersey, in conjunction with creating a new vision for world languages in the United States, has composed the New Jersey World Languages Curriculum Framework. The framework affirms the belief that all New Jersey students should be given the opportunity to study at least one world language other than English.
Standards-based world languages education and the New Jersey standards reflect the themes known as “The Five C’s.” These standards describe the content of world languages learning and form the core of standards-based instruction in the world language classroom.
1) Communication – This standard stresses the use of language for communication in “real life” situations. Students are asked to communicate in oral and written messages and interpret them also.
2) Cultures – By experiencing other cultures, students develop a better understanding and appreciation of the relationship between languages and other cultures.
3) Connections – World languages instruction must be connected with other subject areas.
4) Comparisons – Students are encouraged to compare and contrast languages and cultures.
5) Communities – Extending learning experiences from the world language classroom to the home and multilingual and multicultural community emphasizes living in global community.
Here in Rutherford we enthusiastically adopted the state’s framework within the scope of the World Language Curriculum, which begins in kindergarten with Spanish. The K-3 students are instructed 30 minutes per week throughout the school year. The fourth through sixth grade students continue learning Spanish based on the skills they learned at the elementary level. In the seventh grade students may continue with their study of Spanish or switch to French. In the eighth grade the students continue with their chosen language. Our classes focus on communication as a tool of learning a language. In addition, intercultural understanding is also emphasized.