I have introduced myself as a dual language teacher. But in fact, I’m a trial language teacher.
This is how it works.
I teach in Spain, where everybody speaks Spanish. Spain is divided into different regions. Some of this regions have their own regional language: Gallego, Euskera, Catalan, Valenciano, Mallorquin… So if you teach in one of those regions you have a dual classroom.
How do we divide language teaching time? By subjects: language arts in both languages, maths in the kids mother tongue (in many regions their mother tongue is not Spanish, parents choose that option), Science and Socials studies are taught in the regional language
Specialities are taught by other teachers: P.E., Arts, Music and Religion. Parents choose the language they want kids to study them.
And here comes the English language. We have ESL, BUT it worked so poorly that when kids arrive to High School they can’t understand a simple conversation, so politicians decided some years ago that our classroom wouldn’t be bilingual any more, they will become TRILINGUAL.
I know. It sounds crazy!
So this is how my classroom works:
Valenciano language arts
Valenciano maths
Valenciano Science and Social Studies
Valenciano PE
Valenciano Music
Spanish language arts
English ESL
English Art
I currently teach valenciano and Spanish language arts, math, Science and Social Studies. I used to teach Art too, it depends on the year.
I hope I explained it clear enough and you can see more or less how we teach in our TRIlingual school.
I will be linking up with I teach dual language who is hosting a very interesting linky party.
