I do not intend to start a battle, but there are a lot of bad Spanish teachers out there. By "bad," I mean they don't know how to teach Spanish as a second language and/or they do not have the passion to teach the culture, literature, or history that goes along with language teaching! The bad ones may have picked up Spanish in six months while working at a surf camp in Nicaragua or they could be native speakers who decided "why not teach my language - I can speak it?!"
I met a Spanish teacher once that went to school to be a teacher, decided late in the game she wanted to teach Spanish... so, she spent SIX weeks in Costa Rica, got a little certification and BAM, that fall she began teaching Spanish I to high schoolers. To me, this is shocking - a true disservice to our kids and personally insulting to the profession I have spent a life time in learning and training.
PROS of hiring a Native speaker: they wholeheartedly understand the Spanish culture and can exhibit this through a variety of venues they have personal experience with like popular songs, books, etc. they remember from childhood. This candidate will have life-long experience in the culture, which of course will be prominent in the classroom.
PROS of hiring a Non-native speaker: they understand what it is like to learn Spanish as a second language and can employ their personal experience (frustrations & achievements) with students. This candidate will have empathy, which is exceedingly more important in the teacher/student dynamic!
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK POTENTIAL CANDIDATES DURING INTERVIEWS:
1) When did the candidate begin speaking or studying Spanish?
This will tell you how long teaching Spanish has been an interest or priority in the person's life. If you find out the candidate just picked it once they got well into college - be weary and find out more details! Are they passionate about Spanish language and culture?
2) How does the candidate plan to maintain his/her fluency?
This Q is extremely important for a candidate that is non-native and not married (for example) to an native speaker! How will the candidate continue 'grooming' their Spanish skills? Do they like to travel and actually travel to Spanish-speaking countries? Do they do continuing ed workshops or summer programs? Do they interact with the Latino community on a regular basis?
3) What department is the candidate's degree from? The Education Department or the Spanish Department?
In other words, does the candidate have a degree in teaching with a few hours in Spanish or is the candidate well-versed in Spanish with a few hours (or no hours) in teacher training / methodology?
The desired answer depends on the school, district, etc.
4) In what language was the candidate's final thesis, or presentation, or in-service hours completed?
The most important thing to understand is that it does NOT matter whether the candidate is native or non-native - what experience do they have or what preparations have they made to teach Spanish as a second language?
A native could be an excellent speaker, but a terrible teacher and an non-native could be a terrible speaker but know how to teach the language. It is important to find that balance - and not ASSUME one way or the other!
Anecdote: My husband is a native Spanish-speaker from Colombia, but his spelling is terrible. He is constantly asking me how to spell things in Spanish and to proof his emails! With the same token, I rely on him to teach me the slang or colloquial ways of stating things - things I would not necessarily learn from a textbook!
Immersion Opportunities
If your child is serious about learning Spanish, but you are nervous to send him/her out of the country just yet - check out these 'domestic' language immersion programs:
1) Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy. A Summer Program, Vermont.
Hardcore, somewhat expensive, but well worth it for the motivated student!
2) Concordia Language Villages, Minnesota.
3) Also, check out your local / regional high school summer camp immersion options.
If you are close to the Lake Norman area (Exit 30 off I-77) check out my "Summer Camp" link from the homepage!
1) Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy. A Summer Program, Vermont.
Hardcore, somewhat expensive, but well worth it for the motivated student!
2) Concordia Language Villages, Minnesota.
3) Also, check out your local / regional high school summer camp immersion options.
If you are close to the Lake Norman area (Exit 30 off I-77) check out my "Summer Camp" link from the homepage!
Online Resources
I know there is an unending pool of online resources that encourage Spanish study, but I am always asked what my favorite sites are - so here they are (in somewhat random order):
1) Freerice.com
Simple word fun that sends money to the UN World Food Programme in the process!
Click on "Change Subjects" and you can do it in a number of languages & other disciplines!
2) Donquijote.org
Has many different activities and categories to choose from - easy-to-navigate website.
3) Quia.com/shared/spanish/
Quia is a textbook hosting website, but this particular link has all kinds of activities and drills for further practice.
AND MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE IS:
4) http://www.lawrence.edu/fast/faresg/sites.htm
This guy has done it all and has wonderful links to thousands of resources. If you are a Spanish teacher and you do not have Dr. Fares in your bookmarks - do it NOW!
1) Freerice.com
Simple word fun that sends money to the UN World Food Programme in the process!
Click on "Change Subjects" and you can do it in a number of languages & other disciplines!
2) Donquijote.org
Has many different activities and categories to choose from - easy-to-navigate website.
3) Quia.com/shared/spanish/
Quia is a textbook hosting website, but this particular link has all kinds of activities and drills for further practice.
AND MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE IS:
4) http://www.lawrence.edu/fast/faresg/sites.htm
This guy has done it all and has wonderful links to thousands of resources. If you are a Spanish teacher and you do not have Dr. Fares in your bookmarks - do it NOW!
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