Reflection:
For this mini project my Spanish 2 class had the awesome opportunity to work with bilingual students at Park Elementary School for two days. In order to prepare for our time we spent at Park we viewed children literature books that were in Spanish and chose one to read to our little. We also prepared note cards to help us start a conversation with our little. On the days we spent at Park we began with a "ice breaker", which involved a game that helped us interact with our little. Then after the game I went to my little's classes and helped him with some of his school work. After I helped him with his school work we met back up as a group and read our book that we chose to our little.
When we went to Park on the first day I came in not knowing really what to expect. I was thinking that I was going to have a difficult time working with my little because of the language barrier that might occur between us. Though after awhile of getting to know each other it became more apparent that he was able to speak really good English and Spanish. So we were able to learn more about each other than I originally expected. Overall the first day was great and I ended the day pretty excited to come back and work with my little again. On the second and last day we came back to our same students. It was a big difference compared to the first time we hung out. He was less shy and super excited to show me his red soccer ball that he brought that day for recess so me and him could play with it. Again the day consisted of beginning with a "ice breaker. Which was a game where my little and I would pick a tree, then took turns blindfolding each other. We then would take turns leading each other blindfolded to the tree we chose, It was pretty fun and scary at the same time. Afterwards I helped my little with more school work and went out for recess. It was really fun to hang out with my little at recess because it brought back a lot of good memories of when I was in elementary school. After recess we ended the day with another kids book that was in Spanish. The second day I could tell I created a good friendship with my little but I would of liked to create a stronger one. I felt like it was too short of a time to actually create a great bond with him.
Working with my little really expanded my knowledge on what bilingual students face at a younger age. I felt like my little was getting more out of school than the other students who weren't bilingual. Since he was just starting to learn the language he tended to ask more about what certain words meant and how they are used, seeming more enthusiastic about what he was learning. Though on the other hand I can also see how not completely understanding words can be a challenge for a bilingual student because it might seem they are a step behind other students who have spoken English their whole lives. I think being bilingual is a great trait to have because you are able to learn and understand two completely different worlds at the same time. They are not only learning the English language but also bringing with them their unique culture,which I would say makes life a bit more interesting.
This experience affected me in a positive way because it motivated me to learn more than one language. Though it made me sad at the same time because I realize when I was in elementary school and still knew my native language (Filipino) I was forced to completely abandon it without really knowing I was. I didn't have the opportunity to practice both of my languages so overtime I completely forgot how to speak Filipino, making me feel like I have lost an important part of myself. It makes me happy to know schools like Park Elementary is helping bilingual students not only learn English but also helping them keep their language. If I were to go back I wouldn't really do anything differently. I think what I enjoyed the most out of this mini project was being able to work with a bilingual student and having the opportunity reconnect with the funner side of myself.
Overall this was an awesome and unique experience! I enjoyed being able to hang out with a bilingual student. It was also just fun to pretty much go back to elementary school because of how it brought back some good memories. This also helped me become more aware of what bilingual students face at an early age.
When we went to Park on the first day I came in not knowing really what to expect. I was thinking that I was going to have a difficult time working with my little because of the language barrier that might occur between us. Though after awhile of getting to know each other it became more apparent that he was able to speak really good English and Spanish. So we were able to learn more about each other than I originally expected. Overall the first day was great and I ended the day pretty excited to come back and work with my little again. On the second and last day we came back to our same students. It was a big difference compared to the first time we hung out. He was less shy and super excited to show me his red soccer ball that he brought that day for recess so me and him could play with it. Again the day consisted of beginning with a "ice breaker. Which was a game where my little and I would pick a tree, then took turns blindfolding each other. We then would take turns leading each other blindfolded to the tree we chose, It was pretty fun and scary at the same time. Afterwards I helped my little with more school work and went out for recess. It was really fun to hang out with my little at recess because it brought back a lot of good memories of when I was in elementary school. After recess we ended the day with another kids book that was in Spanish. The second day I could tell I created a good friendship with my little but I would of liked to create a stronger one. I felt like it was too short of a time to actually create a great bond with him.
Working with my little really expanded my knowledge on what bilingual students face at a younger age. I felt like my little was getting more out of school than the other students who weren't bilingual. Since he was just starting to learn the language he tended to ask more about what certain words meant and how they are used, seeming more enthusiastic about what he was learning. Though on the other hand I can also see how not completely understanding words can be a challenge for a bilingual student because it might seem they are a step behind other students who have spoken English their whole lives. I think being bilingual is a great trait to have because you are able to learn and understand two completely different worlds at the same time. They are not only learning the English language but also bringing with them their unique culture,which I would say makes life a bit more interesting.
This experience affected me in a positive way because it motivated me to learn more than one language. Though it made me sad at the same time because I realize when I was in elementary school and still knew my native language (Filipino) I was forced to completely abandon it without really knowing I was. I didn't have the opportunity to practice both of my languages so overtime I completely forgot how to speak Filipino, making me feel like I have lost an important part of myself. It makes me happy to know schools like Park Elementary is helping bilingual students not only learn English but also helping them keep their language. If I were to go back I wouldn't really do anything differently. I think what I enjoyed the most out of this mini project was being able to work with a bilingual student and having the opportunity reconnect with the funner side of myself.
Overall this was an awesome and unique experience! I enjoyed being able to hang out with a bilingual student. It was also just fun to pretty much go back to elementary school because of how it brought back some good memories. This also helped me become more aware of what bilingual students face at an early age.