Job Discussion Forums

MELEE · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:05 pm Post subject:

The longer I've been working in Mexico, the more I think that Spanish knowledge is a big plus in helping Spanish speakers learn English.

But the main reason why I would choose an applicant who can speak Spanish over one who cannot has nothing to do with the classroom. It has to do with living in a small town in Mexico. When I have teachers who don't speak Spanish I end up doing a lot of extra work and usually after hours. You have to help them find an apartment, buy furniture, make phone calls to arrange gas delivery or doctors appointments, accompany them to the doctor or immigration, etc. etc.

Also, as we are not just an English school, Spanish ablitiy helps our teachers be more involved with a wide range of university activities.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I agree with Melee here but will go further to say that Spanish in the classroom is quite useful, if not essential.

Too many people take that to mean I'm going to say something in English, then translate it, then get you to memorize the phrase. That's reading a dictionary and something the students can do at home.

I think that using Spanish in the classroom is far more effective when students are negotiating meaning at levels above their current comprehension. Consider how many similarities there are between English and Spanish that can be exploited. I even use French in my classes as a tool to teach English! In the end, it's language and communication that matter. At the base of Spanish and English are exactly the same structures for communication. By that, I would hire a teacher who had a greater understanding of that structure in both English and Spanish, who I believe ha a better chance of explaining the connection.

thelmadatter · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 8:58 pm Post subject: job

I got my job in part because I have a B.A. in Spanish (as well as two other degrees). However, knowing the language does not mean you still dont need help in finding an apt. etc.... Gotta know what questions to ask and to whom - they dont teach that in college!

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Gringo Greg · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 7:07 am Post subject: yes

It depends on the level of your students. If you are teaching Ford Executives, then you don't. If you are teaching beginner students, you do need to know a little in order to help the lessons along.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I believe it's important to be able to speak Spanish--not so much in terms of teaching (although students respect you A LOT more if you speak Spanish), but in terms of living here in Mexico. Also, if you have any ambitions of ESL management, Spanish is essential. I have been here 10 years--took me 6 months to reach my goal of reading a book a day in Spanish, but by then i was also speaking and had translated (with help) one of my books of poetry into Spanish. For more than 5 years my language of choice for writing and reading has been Spanish. I think my colleagues at the university where I was Head of Languages last year were surprised when I gave the only "institutional seminar" that had been given by someone from Languages--20 pages in Spanish about agrarian reform in Latin America. So--the language opens the the living experience; language drives culture.

KerriKP · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 9

I found once my students knew I spoke Spanish they exploited me. I got to feeling a little like a trained circus animal around them, a lot of "Say it, say it...speak Spanish teacher" and it really impeded things in the classroom.

I did however, as someone else previously mentioned, use if for difficult to define vocabulary words and phrases.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I don't see how you could have been "exploited" because students knew you spoke Spanish. Maybe they simply didn't believe you. As a teacher, you need to have sufficient presence in the classroom so that you are instantly believed. Having good class management skills eliminates the possibility of either you or your students becoming clowns....

some waygug-in · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 339

OK - I'll bite.

Spanish can be helpful when you are teaching supposedly high level classes to students that are Beginner - Elementary at best.

Giving some key vocabulary and phrases at the start of class will at least give these students some idea about the content or focus of the lesson.

Not to dwell on translation, too much translation is not helpful.

But a short vocabulary quizz where the students do the translating
can be useful.

It can be a quick way to review vocabulary or phrases.

Or when all else fails, when the student just can't get the meaning from any other method. (picures, gestures, English explanations)

Of course, there is always the temptation to "show off" your Spanish, especially if you are a young teacher. Embarassed

But you will soon learn when using Spanish is useful and when it is just
wasting time. Confused