World Language – Spanish
Dear Pulaski Families,
On behalf of the Pulaski International School of Chicago community, we would like to welcome you to our World Language Program. Our mission at Pulaski is to develop inquiring and compassionate lifelong learners who strive for their personal best in academics, civic consciousness, individual responsibility and personal skills. We provide students with an international education consisting of an academically and balanced program that gives a special emphasis to learning Spanish as a World Language.
The fact that Spanish is an official or de facto language in twenty-one countries, that it is the second most spoken language in the world and that it is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, makes the study of its diverse culture and society relevant in our efforts to educate citizens of the world.
Looking forward to a great academic year,
Pulaski Administration
World Language Instruction at Pulaski
World Language instruction is planned and designed using the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning and the IB Programme of Inquiry. Language teachers use a variety of world language instruction methods including project-based instruction, total physical response and the communicative language approach. Homework and projects are meant to support language instruction and to provide the necessary practice for end of the unit showcases.
General Policies
1) Classroom Expectations:
-Students are to bring all required materials to every language class. Depending on the grade level, materials may include but are not limited to: folder, notebook, pencils, handouts, and Spanish-English/English-Spanish dictionary. On the first day of class, each teacher will clearly indicate all required supplies.
-Since all students have different learning styles, our World Language teachers will differentiate instruction to meet all academic and linguistical needs of students. Some students will have zero knowledge of Spanish and some students will be heritage speakers; however, we really expect students and parents to have an open mind in the process language acquisition.
2) Homework and Grading:
-Kindergarten and First Grade: There is no graded homework for students in kindergarten and first grade. However, at times teachers might send home information for students to practice at home for their end of the unit presentation.
-Grades 2nd-8th: For the upper grades, there will be graded homework on a weekly basis. In addition, students will have end of the unit presentations.
3) Websites and Resources:
-At Pulaski we believe parents need to be informed of what students are learning each week; for this reason, parents will be able to access up-to-date information on what is being discussed in the classroom. Please make sure to visit your child’s Spanish teacher’s website for an amalgam of resources including handouts provided in class.
