Page 72 - EdViewptsSpring2019-web

Strengthening Literacy Skills in

Spanish-Speakers

By Michele J. Schreiner, Ed.D., Supervisor of World Languages and ESL,
Egg Harbor Township School District

There is no doubt that designed especially for them. Known grade 5th through 12th in Egg Harbor
today’s high school gradu- as Español para Hispanohablantes, Township. Student learning objectives
focus on developing students' abil-
the classes develop students’ literacy
ates need strong literacy skills in Spanish. Much like students ity to read in Spanish, beginning in
skills to be successful in who already speak English continue Grade 5 with phonics instruction using
the traditional Spanish phonics tool,
to study English every year to develop
college and to be well pre- their literacy skills, the Hispanohab- la Cartilla Fonética, and the Daily 5
pared for the global soci- lantes program is designed to devel- Framework. Students’ reading level
and reading fluency are measured in
op reading and writing skills in Span-
ety. Spanish-speaking students often ish. Instead of learning how to say Spanish. Teachers begin to develop
possess oral proficiency skills in Span- vocabulary and phrases they already literacy skills through the Daily 5
ish but may not have strong literacy know in a traditional Spanish class, Framework, which is also used in the
skills in Spanish. It’s not uncommon students are challenged to learn new children’s English Language Arts class.
for students who already speak Span- material through reading poems, leg- Students read to self, read to someone
ish to take traditional Spanish classes ends, informational texts, novels, and else, listen to reading, work on writing,
in middle and high school. This type of plays in their Hispanohablantes class. and practice word work.
course does not address students’ ac- The goal is to develop students’ lit- In middle school, students begin to
ademic needs. Rather, New Jersey’s eracy skills in Spanish at a high level read short literary and informational
many Spanish speakers are better so that the students are successful in texts. Learning objectives mirror those
served in heritage language classes all academic areas. The stronger their of an ELA course. Students learn how
that are designed to strengthen their literacy skills in Spanish the stronger to cite textual evidence to support
literacy skills. they will be in English. claims, to identify figurative language,
Heritage and native Spanish speakers Recently designated a Model Program main ideas, and supporting details.
in the Egg Harbor Township School for Heritage speakers by the NJDOE, Instruction is differentiated so as to
District study Spanish in classes Hispanohablantes is offered in every challenge stronger readers while

Educational Viewpoints -70- Spring 2019