Athens, Ga. – Two one-day workshops-the first designed to enhance a teacher’s ability to understand and to work effectively with Spanish-speaking students and their families and the second on learning Spanish by reading children’s books-will be hosted by the University of Georgia College of Education on Dec. 7 and 10.
No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary for the first workshop titled, “Spanish for Non-Spanish Speakers: What Every Georgia Educator Should Know (Part 1),” which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the UGA Hotel and Conference Center at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.
Workshop topics may include: writing letters to the Hispanic students’ parents; family customs and how they can relate to welcoming school and classroom environments; Mexican celebrations and holidays; and working with translation.
Participants will:
• Take away key Spanish language and cultural knowledge for use in the classroom
• Apply knowledge about second language learning to classroom instruction
• Acquire strategic Spanish language abilities to nurture meaningful relationships with Latino students and their families
• Visit an authentic local Latino setting and use Spanish for authentic purposes
• Learn how to find and use materials in Spanish for use in the English language classroom
• Become role models for all students by starting a lifelong language learning journey
Melisa “Misha” Cahnmann-Taylor, an associate professor of language and literacy education in the UGA College of Education and a featured speaker at the 2012 Georgia Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Conference, will facilitate the workshops.
Registration is $275 and includes workshop materials, parking pass, certificate of completion and refreshment breaks. Schools who send 10 or more participants receive a discounted registration fee of $225 per person. Participants should bring $10 cash for lunch for the Spanish Emersion luncheon to be held at an authentic restaurant. The registration deadline is November 30.
Learn Spanish through Reading Children’s Books
The second workshop titled, “Learn Spanish Through Reading Children’s Books (Part 2),” will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St.
UGA associate professor of language and literacy education Misha Cahnmann-Taylor will work with participants on reading and writing in Spanish using authentic, inspiring children’s literature.
Participants will learn to use L2 reading and writing strategies to enhance Spanish language acquisition and how to access and use high-interest Spanish language literacy materials. From nursery rhymes to illustrated books for young children, participants in this course will learn how to use children’s materials to enhance their own Spanish language and support K-12 ESOL students’ emerging (bi) literacy. This workshop assumes participants have some novice-intermediate Spanish knowledge and/or have taken Part I.
Participants will:
• Experience creative practices for Spanish language acquisition (e.g. songs, movement, group work, reading circles, creative writing and dramatic play)
• Apply knowledge about second language learning to classroom instruction with ESOL students
• Learn how to find and use compelling children’s literature in Spanish for adult Spanish language learning
• Become role models for all students by continuing a lifelong, literacy-rich, language learning journey
Registration is $100 and includes workshop materials, parking pass, certificate of completion and refreshment break.
For more information or to register online, see www.coe.uga.edu/events/.
