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Spanish Language Immersion
How does it work?
Spanish Immersion means that your child is
immersed, or surrounded by, the Spanish language during his/her preschool day.
Your child will enjoy all of the joys of a regular Montessori preschool,
just in Spanish! In this language immersion environment when a child is enjoying
an activity he/she learns the educational concept and the language at the same
time.
Newcomers to class will immediately be hearing
Spanish words, however, the teacher will utilize English as required to ensure
children understand the rules and expectations, get to know their teacher and
are made to feel comfortable. Throughout the day, the teachers when necessary
will show or dramatize what they are saying, however, in a preschool environment
virtually every opportunity provides self-explanatory translation and so the
children can grasp meanings from their very first day in class.
If the teacher believes that a child does not
understand certain Spanish expressions from the context, it will be explained
briefly in English, before resuming in Spanish. This will ensure that no child
feels 'lost' or 'confused'. Our objective is to encourage and enjoy the Spanish
Language and provide the strong foundation of a Montessori approach, but the
prerequisite for this of course, is to make sure your child feels secure and
comfortable at his/her preschool.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Is the program only for
families with Spanish-speaking parents?
A. No, in fact the majority of our students have American and
English-speaking parents.
Q. What is the advantage of
having a mixed age class?
A. Dr. Maria Montessori
advocates the multi-age
classroom as the younger children, who learn through imitation, can learn from
the older students,
while the
older children benefit from the experience that allows them to learn compassion
and to care for the younger ones.
Q. What is the best age to
introduce a child to a second language?
A. The earlier a child learns a language, the better. Studies
have shown that children, who learn another language before the age of five,
learn with the same part of the brain that they use to speak their mother
tongue. Younger children are without inhibitions and so will speak naturally and
with native-like pronunciation.
Q. What are the benefits of
knowing a second language?
A. Many children derive benefits from early second language
instruction, such as improved overall school performance, superior
problem-solving skills, more creativity and an improved approach to complex
matters.
Furthermore, learning a second language, like learning any skill
is a wonderful opportunity to keep young ‘sponge-like’ brains active and
stimulated, setting a good habit for later life. It is said that even if a child
discontinues the practice of a second language, some benefits will remain with
the child.
In addition to developing a lifelong ability to communicate with more people,
children may derive other indirect benefits such as self-confidence, awareness
of other cultures. Knowing a second language
does prepare us better for life in the multi-cultural, multi-lingual world of
the twenty-first century, and
can provide a competitive advantage in the workforce.
Q. Will a second language
interfere with my child's English ability?
A. In most cases, learning another language enhances a child's
English ability. Comparing two language systems aids with the understanding and
use of each. Reports have demonstrated that children who have learned a second
language earn higher SAT scores.
Q. Is it harder for a child to
acquire two languages at once?
A. There is no evidence to suggest this. A child doesn't have to be exceptional
to become bilingual; as long as the child is exposed to two languages throughout
early childhood, he or she will acquire them both. Additional
activities at
home are not required for the child to successfully learn a second language,
however, we can advise you in this regard if you wish to enhance your child's
experience.
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