Reality Spanish® for Teachers

Are your classroom teachers implementing effective multi-sensory strategies in teaching English Language Learners across the curriculum?

Does your school district genuinely desire to bridge the connection between Spanish-speaking students, families and your staff?

Changing the model from: "We have a few ELA specialists who serve this population", to: "Everyone in our building can connect with our Spanish-speaking students and famillies - we have built a culture around connection through language."

Our Reality Spanish® for Teachers course is offered in two levels! Click here for the course description for Level II.

    “The Reality Spanish training provides each individual an opportunity to grasp all the methods with an innovative and hands-on delivery.  You leave feeling empowered and prepared to be successful in the classroom.” – B.J. participant Realty Spanish ® for Teachers Train the Trainer, Clark County School District, Las Vegas, June 2010

Reality Spanish® for Teachers - Level I

Course description:
In Reality Spanish® for Teachers I, the language is geared to daily situations which occur in the classroom, at all levels. Commands are included which are used frequently in the classroom. Vocabulary is based on teacher-student interactions. Common questions are included along with appropriate responses. 'Bites' of language are introduced and developed into narrative stories, dialogs and directives. The multi-sensory teaching techniques of the COLA® instructional system focus on speaking and listening, and a ‘mix and match’ approach encourages the customizing of language by students from the first class. The Interactive CD-ROM, Workbook, Audio CDs and Internet support extend student learning with instruction outside of class hours. Insights are given about some cultural differences which exist between Anglo Americans and Hispanic Americans, to ease misunderstandings that could occur within the world of education.

Goal:
Participants will be able to communicate directly with their Spanish-speaking students in specific classroom situations and understand their students’ cultural roots.

Methodology:
Students will experience multi-sensory learning activities in the classroom which expose them to abundant comprehensible input of new language. These activities include: physical movements and gestures, drawing and acting to demonstrate comprehension; spontaneous responses to questions in a conversational setting; small group and partner work to practice ‘bites’ of language; written and oral assignments.  The multi-sensory learning activities in the Reality Spanish® for Teachers program reflect the COLA®  Methodology of LingoLynx, LLC. This has been developed as a culmination of language acquisition techniques including Dr. Stephen Krashen’s The Natural Approach; Dr. James Asher’s Total Physical Response (TPR); Blaine Ray’s TPR Storytelling®. These language acquisition techniques have been coupled with additional multi-sensory learning activities, content reflecting the context of the school environment, the specific needs and constraints of adult learners, and technology tools to create a unique instructional system.

Credit: 2 or 3 credits may be earned (see below for specific requirements)

Hours of Instruction:
2-credit: 12 face-to-face classes: duration 2 hours 30 minutes each of direct instruction. In addition, each student is expected to spend a minimum of two hours weekly interacting with the CD-ROM materials, research components, and follow-up assignments. This totals 30 hours of direct instructional time, plus independent study.

3-credit: 16 face-to-face classes: duration 2 hours 50 minutes each of direct instruction. In addition, each student is expected to spend a minimum of two hours weekly interacting with the CD-ROM materials, research components, and follow-up assignments. This totals 45 hours of direct instructional time, plus independent study.

Course Content:
2- and 3-credit versions

Key Topics:
Courtesy, personal information, numbers, alphabet, dates, times, school vocabulary, locations & directions, body parts/injuries, foods.
Plus for 3-credit: migrant family experiences & relationships (as narrated in the 6-chapter reader).

Key phrases/commands:
Come here! Sit down and listen some more. Pick up your book quickly, please. Walk more slowly, please. Where is your mother? What date is the Day of the Dead? Does your stomach hurt? Put your head down on the table. What’s for lunch? Don't run!

Scenarios/dialogs:
First day at school; finding lost items; calendar discussion; class control; visiting the school nurse; snack time

Cultural topics:
Immigration; Latino festivals; migrant workers; importance of family; bilingual education; Latino foods

Course requirements:

1. Participation. Students will be graded on their participation in and readiness for the classes.
2. Assignments. These are written and spoken: written and spoken story per module, sketch of classroom, command phrases; plus for 3-credit: reading comprehension activities with the 6-chapter Reader & additional writing activities.
3. Journal. Students will submit a journal to their instructor. This will contain their reflections on their learning and the development of their connections with Spanish speaking students and parents. They will comment on their cultural research also.

Textbooks/Materials:

Reality Spanish® for Teachers – I: the multi-sensory, interactive CD-ROM program contains a printable text/workbook and 6-chapter Reader: La Nueva Amiga de Luz. The CD-ROM and the 2-pack of Audio CDs are required for all students supplement student learning. These materials are articulated, contain the six modules of course content, and follow exactly the learning targeted in this course. Authors: Gaye R. Jenkins, Ed. D., & Molly P. Schneider, M.Ed.

Attendance policy:

Students are expected to participate in all scheduled classes and come prepared with work for the next class. If a student needs to be absent, communication with the instructor and completion of appropriate make-up work are expected. If a student misses more than 85% of classroom time, a failing grade may result.

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Reality Spanish® for Teachers - Level II

Course description:

Reality Spanish® for Teachers Level II, is a continuation of the language acquisition techniques introduced in Level I. It focuses on social situations which occur in the middle or high school classroom. We use commands, vocabulary and questions/answers specific to educators, students and parents.  We have developed opportunities for participants to deepen their insight of cultural differences and issues which can affect relationships between Anglo Americans and Hispanic Americans around educational expectations. The language skills culminate in module six with parent-teacher conference scenarios and extensive practice for parent-teacher interactions via phone and letter.

Goal:

Our students will develop their skills to communicate in Spanish by their own involvement with it and by seeing the words and phrases in real-life situations.

Methodology:

Students will continue to experience multi-sensory learning activities in the classroom which expose them to abundant comprehensible input of the new language. These activities include: physical movements and gestures, drawing and acting to demonstrate comprehension; spontaneous responses to questions in a conversational setting; small group and partner work to practice 'bites' of language; written and oral assignments.  The multi-sensory learning activities in the Reality Spanish® for Teachers program reflect the COLA® Methodology of LingoLynx, LLC. This has been developed as a culmination of language acquisition techniques including Dr. Stephen Krashen's The Natural Approach; Dr. James Asher's Total Physical Response (TPR); Blaine Ray's TPR Storytelling®. These language acquisition techniques have been coupled with additional multi-sensory learning activities, content reflecting the context of the school environment, the specific needs and constraints of adult learners, and technology tools to create a unique instructional system.

Credit: 2 or 3 credits may be earned (See below for requirements)

Hours of Instruction:

2-credit: 12 face-to-face classes containing 2 hours 30 minutes each of direct instruction. In addition, each student is expected to spend a minimum of two hours weekly interacting with the CD-ROM materials, research components, and follow-up assignments. This totals 30 hours of direct instructional time, plus independent study.

3-credit: 16 face-to-face classes containing 2 hours 50 minutes each of direct instruction. In addition, each student is expected to spend a minimum of two hours weekly interacting with the CD-ROM materials, research components, and follow-up assignments. This totals 45 hours of direct instructional time, plus independent study.

Course Content:

2- and 3-credit versions

Key topics:

Formal courtesy, sports & music, field trips, discipline, social issues, parent/teacher conference; plus for 3-credit: expanded communication with families through letters and phone calls.

Key phrases/commands:

Please take a seat, sir. Give this message to your parents. Who is picking you up? Stop fighting right now!

Could you be pregnant? Your daughter is well behaved but is very forgetful.

Scenarios/dialogs:

Class registration; favorite sports; taking a field trip; behavior problems; trouble with grades; parent/teacher conference; 3-credit: phonecalls home, letter writing to parents.

Cultural topics:

Latino sports & music; La Raza; low rider culture; teenage social behavior; culture shock

Course requirements:

1. Participation. Students will be graded on their participation in and readiness for the classes.
2. Assignments. These are written and spoken, example: an original story per module, dialogs reflecting new situations; 3-credit: letters home to parents, command phrases, scripts for phone calls, role play.
3. Journal. Students will submit a journal to their instructor. This will contain their reflections on their learning and the development of their connections with Spanish speaking students and parents. They will comment on their cultural research also.

Textbook/Materials:

1) Reality Spanish® for Teachers - II has its own interactive CD-ROM of the 6 module program, containing a printable combination text/workbook for all students. Authors: Gaye R. Jenkins, Ed.D. & Molly P. Schneider M.Ed., and follows exactly the learning we are targeting.

2) Online resources will be used extensively for cultural research and linguistic practice.

Attendance policy:

Students are expected to participate in all scheduled classes and come prepared with work for the next class. If a student needs to be absent, communication with the instructor and completion of appropriate make-up work are expected. More than 85% absence may result in a failing grade.

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