Spanish introduced into elementary classes at Trinity Lutheran

Hola. ¿Cómo te llamas?

After the first few weeks of school, elementary students at Trinity Lutheran School in Aberdeen can offer a rousing welcome to a visitor to the classroom and ask them her or his name. They’re also learning the numbers through 10, a few colors and some animals.

Second- and third-grade teacher Cassandra Schwark said so far the students have covered information she already knows, but she’ll soon be learning along with them.

Students have Spanish instruction twice a week for about a half-hour. During that time, they listen to a video with a song in Spanish introducing a new phrase like:

• ¿Cuantós años tienes? (How old are you?)

And the response:

• Tengo ocho años. (I am 8 years old).

The kids then review the phrase and how it applies to them.

Students also work on an interactive activity to reinforce words they’ve already learned.

In one class last week students reviewed their numbers by dividing into teams. Two at a time they approached the white board, each holding a fly swatter. Numbers were written on the board. After Schwark said a number in Spanish, the kids competed to see who could swat the correct number first.

Schwark said the curriculum was discovered by the kindergarten and first-grade teacher Kristy Lendt.

“It’s been working really well,” Schwark said.

Aaron Kjenstad, Trinity principal and teacher for grades four and five, said the school was looking for an addition to the curriculum. Although Spanish has started in grades K-3, he said eventually students will get some instruction through eighth grade.

“Studies show younger kids remember best what they learn at a younger age,” he said.

Kjenstad said teaching Spanish has several advantages. Not only does it help provide a connection for Spanish-speaking students at the school, but it gives kids a nudge toward a language that will be helpful if they chose a career as a pastor or a missionary where speaking Spanish is helpful.

Spanish can also be an introduction to other languages like Hebrew, Greek and Latin, which are also languages spoken by pastors, he said.