Learning Another Language
Born in 1999, the Spanish Workshop for Children offers an immersion experience (when about
90 percent of the lessons are in Spanish), which is a highly effective way to learn a new
language. Memorization, according to Marcela Summerville, founder of the program, doesn’t
work for new language acquisition. Rather, teaching with context is the most effective way. The
school uses a holistic approach featuring thematic units. And all the instructors are degreed
teachers who also happen to be native Spanish speakers.
90 percent of the lessons are in Spanish), which is a highly effective way to learn a new
language. Memorization, according to Marcela Summerville, founder of the program, doesn’t
work for new language acquisition. Rather, teaching with context is the most effective way. The
school uses a holistic approach featuring thematic units. And all the instructors are degreed
teachers who also happen to be native Spanish speakers.
“The approach used by the teachers is in sync with our project-based learning initiatives,” says
FSH Head of School Andrea Myers. “Their philosophy of teaching dovetails nicely with ours.”
Senora Adi, who is from Colombia and received her teaching degree there, is the teacher
assigned to Friends School Haverford. She has been a teacher for decades and has worked at
the Spanish Workshop for Children for about 18 years. Adi cares deeply about what she does,
and it shows. Adi’s passion is contagious! Step into one of her classes and you will see students
singing, storytelling, using the language, and having FUN.
“The children are quite excited,” says Adi. “We adjust the curriculum according to age. So, for
instance, the younger students might be learning a story in Spanish that they are already
familiar with in English. They pick it up very quickly.”
Learning another language:
- Enhances childrens’ linguistic flexibility and makes it more natural to pick up new
languages - Increases cultural awareness and acceptance of diversity
- Bolsters academic skills
- Increases vocabulary and language
- Prepares people to thrive in an increasingly globalized world.
Gracias to Senora Adi for expanding our world!