The Spanish Language program at Bank Street begins in the Lower School in the 4/5s classrooms and continues on throughout the Middle and Upper Schools until children become 11-year-olds in the Upper School. At that point, they can choose to continue with Spanish or begin a new study of French. Based on the premise that all children can and want to learn a language other than their own, our approach reflects the way children learn their first language, that is, in a natural, communicative context. The curriculum provides a number of opportunities for children to listen and guess at meaning, to interact with and observe others and to see many examples of the printed word. These informal experiences with Spanish or French lay the foundation for speaking, reading, and writing in another language. The program emphasizes meaningful communication. In class, a piece of age appropriate curriculum becomes a medium through which we teach language, whether it is telling a story, creating a market, singing a song, or learning about Mexican painters or the French Impressionists.
Teachers encourage beginning students to listen and respond to the new language using the method best for them; it may be through acting, giving one-word answers, or simply repeating the teacher's words. Once they become familiar and comfortable with the language's sound system, students can hear and comprehend more complex grammatical structures. When they see the written language posted all around the classroom, children are able to read and write the words and sentences they've been learning. Older students learn grammar in a framework that supports this approach. In a developmentally appropriate manner, they begin to explore language as a system, to analyze and understand grammatical forms in a context that stresses meaning, to read culturally relevant texts and to write creatively.
Upper School students extend their developing ability with a second language by initiating and continuing simple conversations with each other and with the teacher. Teachers give grammar instruction, whenever possible, as an exploration of patterns and rules.
Culture plays a significant role in our studies and is considered integral to the whole experience of learning another language. The staff strives to prepare children to live and work in a multi-cultural society, thus exposing all students to the richness and diversity of cultures in both Spanish and French speaking countries. Students live the culture through authentic stories, art, crafts, games, music, cooking experiences, trips, and projects.