Ben,
I attended the two day workshop in Maine a few weeks ago and I had to let you know that one of my students came into class today and told me she had a dream IN SPANISH-…The dream was that it was Spanish class and I was speaking in Spanish and she felt glad because she understood what I was saying. This blew me away. Her subconscious is picking up Spanish, I told her!
I’ve been using stories and personalization really just for two months with my 6,7, and 8 graders and I so pleased with how eager they are to emain in the target language. And more importantly, I enjoy speaking in Spanish in class more than English. Some days I think to myself, “I’m getting paid to do this?”
In one story based on Anne Matava’s “Talks Too Much” story line, one of my classes put me in jail with Lindsey Lohan (because I was talking too much in Spanish class) and I laughed so hard I was crying. My 8th graders have also been producing amazing illustrations each class to go along with the story. These stories have been turning out so rich that I think I will keep a record of them to use in future classes.
Your workshop really helped me understand TPRS in a different way than I understood it at the beginning of the school year. The emphasis on personalization and going slowly was crucial. I met with my principal, Mike McCarthy, and told him my goal of the year was shifting the way I teach Spanish and gratefully he fully supports me. Thanks for your help with all of this and I look forward to reading more on your blog!
Annemarie Orth
Spanish Teacher
King Middle School
Portland, Maine