P1 Blog 

1/15

One of the most frequently asked questions in P1 is “When will my child start speaking in Spanish?”  

Language acquisition is a skill that takes time.  Typically, a child’s first words in their native language are spoken around 10-14 months of age.  From there, children learn simple words, begin to speak in phrases, then more complex sentences as their knowledge of the world grows.  By the time children begin preschool, they have a fairly large vocabulary in their native language, can ask questions, understand some basic abstract concepts (like emotions) and speak in complete sentences.  This process takes years.

Starting to learn a second language means beginning this process again.  However, because children have a greater capacity to speak and understand language, they are able to pick up skills faster.

The first Spanish component the students experience is listening to Ms. Diana give simple instructions for daily classroom functions (wash your hands, stand up, sit down, line up, etc. ) and hear repeated words such as snack, lunch, days of the week, months of the year.  Children hear simple Spanish words first, absorb and process information and vocabulary using materials in the classroom.  This is called Pre-production or the “silent period”.  Students often mimic the words they hear, can identify pictures and follow simple instructions. 

In the Early production stage of learning, children can answer questions with a yes or no and may start to say short phrases in Spanish.  Their vocabulary is growing and they are able to identify pictures, numbers and follow more complex instructions.  

During the Speech Emergence stage, children can answer questions or speak with three or more words in simple phrases and patterns.  Students can understand the general idea of a story with pictures, are able to identify numbers, do linear counting and build simple words with the Spanish moveable alphabet and syllables.  They are singing songs and reciting poems in Spanish, but may not fully understand the words they are saying.

When students reach Intermediate Fluency, they are able to read and write simple words, speak in simple phrases and sentences and perform basic math functions (such as addition and subtraction) in Spanish.  Students may also begin to communicate with each other in simple sentences, play Spanish speaking games with each other and are able to follow more complex directions from their teachers.

Spanish language is enriched each month as we study a new topic and incorporate more vocabulary.  These skills are reinforced each year as children have the opportunity to practice lessons and remember concepts from previous units of study. 

Here are some pictures of our students working with Spanish materials and activities.

P1 Spanish Photos for 1/15 Blog

As always, we thank you for your support of our classroom and our school!

Thank you!

Ms. Melissa, Ms. Diana and Ms. Kini