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Foreign Language

Mrs. Capolino

 

We are happy to announce the continuation of our FLES program- several years strong! Created in 2018, the FLES program, is an academically enriching program offered by The East Quogue School District. FLES is an acronym for Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools. FLES is an introduction to Spanish language acquisition and embraces the pedagogical ideals of the Natural Language Approach and Comprehensive Input methods. The FLES Program in the East Quogue School District focuses on the New York State Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Standards and content area standards. Our philosophy at East Quogue School District is aligned with the LOTE (Languages Other than English) Standards for Check Point A. Our program is considered a content-related program which means interdisciplinary connections are made when the general education content can be applied to a foreign language theme. As a result, FLES instruction reinforces and enriches the skills learned in other subject areas, such as math, social studies, art, etc.

Students in 5th and 6th grade meet two times per week for 35 minute periods, students in kindergarten through 4th grade meet one time per week for 35 minute periods. Instruction is consistently conducted in the target language (Spanish) with minimal use of the native language (English). The aim is for 90% immersion in the target language during each class at every grade level. All 360 students, kindergarten through 6th grade, receive second language instruction throughout the entire school year. Comprehension of content is made possible through the use of non-verbal cues such as gestures, mime, role-play, visuals, realia, intonation and body language. Content is presented in real life and content related contexts. Language acquisition is fostered by communicative tasks including games, songs, rhymes, chants, and hands-on activities. Topics are introduced in a way that appeals to different learning styles and addresses multiple intelligences. Instruction is differentiated and is scaffolded in such a way that learners become increasingly independent. Instruction also helps to strengthen skills learned in other disciplines such as graphing, patterning, classifying, acute listening skills, geography skills, global awareness, etc. Lessons are highly communicative and dynamic. Some of the student's favorite lessons are ordering an imaginary lunch from Subway, finding a location within the building given directions in Spanish, salsa dancing, passing a “futbol” around while speaking in Spanish and listening to modern music like Gente de Zona “La Gozadera”. Instruction is age level appropriate, taking into consideration the level of language experience, as well as student interest. Lessons are designed to address diverse learning styles and needs. By integrating second language learning in the existing curriculum in the East Quogue School District, we are not only reinforcing the content areas, but also empowering our students with the linguistic and cultural tools needed in today's increasingly competitive and diversified marketplace!

Goal

“To maintain a second language program where the Latin culture is respected, valued, where global competence is an ongoing objective and where diversity is celebrated”.

  

Instructional Time

  • Kindergarten- 3rd Grades: One 35-40 minute class per week
  • 4th- 6th Grades: Two 35-40 minute classes per week for a total of eighty minutes

 

Department Updates

No updates at this time.