Foreign language lessons in elementary school brings benefits

Selected high school students from Mrs. Minor’s High School Spanish Honors Society and advanced Spanish classes provide student-led language learning experiences for third and fourth grade elementary students. Since 2004, Mrs. Minor has organized annual groups of high school participants to deliver lessons within our own elementary school. The program consists of eight sessions each year and concludes with an end of program fiesta for all participants. Early exposure to foreign languages offers substantial benefits for elementary-aged children, including enhanced memory, improved social skills and increased confidence. The model of high school students instructing these sessions yields advantages for both the student teachers and the elementary learners. Elementary students benefit from interacting with positive role models, which fosters their enthusiasm for continued language study. Meanwhile, high school student teachers gain practical experience by applying their knowledge and enjoy engaging with younger peers. Notably, several teachers currently employed in the district first developed their instructional skills through participation in these foreign language lessons during their own high school years.