I have to share one of the best moments in my (short) career. Not only did I have a great day creating compelling, contextual and comprehensible stories, but my fourth period said something that made me believe in TPRS/CI all over again. They asked me about what teacher to take for second year Spanish. I told them that I didn't have a favorite, each one was great in their own way, and each one would teach them a lot. Before letting up, they asked, "Does anyone teach like you?" Throughout this year, I have explained to them that there are a few ways to teach languages based on the goal in mind. They know my goal for them is fluency. They got the answer they weren't hoping for: no.
And guess what? THEY COMPLAINED! They said, "But we like this class." Read: we feel successful in here. We feel valued in here. We feel confident in here. One girl, whom I've had the pleasure of teaching Spanish 1 to twice said to me, "So next year is going to be difficult." But I was sure to let them know that they could come back to me for 3rd year. And I hope they do. And I hope they tell their friends about me. And I hope this TPRS/CI spreads like wildfire.
Oh, and on another note a boy asked about past tense. Not in a grudgingly way. Not in a "oh goodness I have to memorize another tense." In a curious sense. With a sense that he wants to be able to communicate in the language. It even sparked the thought that maybe I could start the past tense a little bit this year... but maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't want to rock the boat too much.
I am sold. If fluency is our goal. This is our method.
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