Secondary students teach foreign languages

Students in Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School’s Spanish and German Club volunteered to teach 20-minute mini-lessons in their respective foreign languages to Allegheny Valley School District elementary students. Students were put into small groups and assigned to a classroom. Every other week, they create and instruct their lessons in the classrooms. The high school students are responsible for all content, materials and activities done during their mini-lessons.

Teaching a foreign language reinforces the language structures and key skills for language learning. “The program supports the early exposure of foreign language for our elementary students,” commented Spanish teacher Bailey DeTesta. “We hope that these elementary lessons will result in more students engaging in foreign languages from a younger age. As for the high school students, these lessons are reinforcing their language skills, while showing them what it is like to be a teacher.”

German teacher Christopher Squire wanted to start this type of program for years. “I had a similar activity over 10 years ago with German 4 students who taught lessons at ACME. That was part of the German 4 curriculum at the time,” he explained. DeTesta is a veteran of a similar program in a different school district. They believe that this opportunity is an excellent way to expose younger students to the magic of foreign language learning. “It is also a great way to give our students practice in their foreign language, and volunteer opportunities,” commented DeTesta.

The German students “have been looking forward to the opportunity to share their language knowledge,” according to Squire.

“We have seen a lot of student interest and excitement,” added DeTesta. They hope to include more elementary classrooms in the future, and more high school students as well. Long term, they hope that the program leads to a growth of the foreign language department.

As for the balance of the school year, Squire explained, “We would like to hold six to eight additional lessons after the holidays.”