Every student is inspired to learn and empowered to excel.  (HCPSS Vision 2018)

Resources 
Sra. Espitia's Spanish Classes
How Parents Can Help!
Parents are a crucial ingredient in the success of a middle school Spanish student.  Ways to help your student achieve his or her highest potential include:
  • Monitor the agenda book or access the Edmodo site for homework information.
  • Monitor your student's grades on Aspen, the HCPSS Parent Portal with online gradebook.
  • Encourage your student to access the online textbook activities in Realidades Online Textbook or Realidades Online Activity Site, as appropriate.
  • Review flashcards with your student to help him or her master new vocabulary and structures (i.e., cards students make or cards online provided by the teacher in Quizlet or Quia).
  • Listen to your student practice his or her oral work, such as pronunciation practice, repetition of vocabulary words, or recitation of dialogues.
  • Encourage your student to "teach" you what he or she learned in class.
  • Encourage your student to participate in class, to try to speak Spanish as much as possible, and to support classmates who are trying to do so, too.
  • Contact the teacher if you have concerns.

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Taking a World Language in HCPSS
In middle school, students complete Level I of French or Spanish over the course of two years in Grades 7 and 8.  This provides students with the opportunity to build a solid foundation in the language before moving on to advanced language study.

Students must successfully pass the class and the 8th grade end-of-course exam in order to have the Level I course appear on the high school transcript.  The grade will not be averaged in to the high school GPA and students must still take two credits of world language in high school for graduation (if they choose a world language for their Program Choice; refer to page 2 of the Catalog of Approved High School Courses for more details).

At the high school level, students have the option of continuing on to Level II or II Honors of the language.  Students may opt to begin Level I of another language instead of continuing with French or Spanish.  

Students should strongly consider continuing their language study for all four years of high school.  Many colleges and universities prefer applicants who have studied a language for 3 or 4 years in high school.  In addition, with the global emphasis of most career choices, it is wise for students to develop a strong working proficiency in at least one world language other than English.

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Why Study a World Language?
Everyone speaks English, so why would I want to learn another language?

Well . . . not everyone speaks English.  According to the CIA World Factbook, only 4.83% of the world population speaks English as a first language. That number doubles when you add people who speak English as a second or third language.  This means that 9 out of 10 individuals in the world speak a language other than English.

And that's not the only reason there is to become multilingual.  Language learning opens up new opportunities and gives you perspectives you might otherwise not have encountered.  Personal, professional, social, and economic considerations all point to the advantages of learning new languages.  And of course, the earlier we start to learn a language, the better.

Benefits of Language Learning
Learning another language at an early age:
  • Has a positive effect on intellectual growth.
  • Enriches and enhances a child's mental development.
  • Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
  • Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language.
  • Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know.
  • Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
  • Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college.
  • Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.
                                                                  - American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Want to Know More?  
Check out these resources.