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Lesson Plans


Re: Bilingual Art material?

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Lorena Nalin (nalin)
Tue, 12 Oct 1999 20:48:56 -0700

I think an online translation is ok, but in many areas there is a lot of
regional/slang Spanish. Some kids have no idea what you are saying with a
more formal or proper word. Also in my area, we have lots of Spanglish
speakers. When the speaker doesn't know the words in Spanish they switch to
English. I would ask the Bilingual teachers as they dropped off the
students to write or tell me some key word to put on the board. You'd be
surprised to know that there are a lot of words they didn't know. I have
asked adults in the school, how to say or phrase something and they do not
have the vocabulary in Spanish to translate properly. Different people
(certified and classified) have different levels of proficiency. Some can
speak, but not write in Spanish.

With the help of a Spanish speaking student at the University of Arizona, I
did create a glossary to art terms a while back because I was interested in
what would be used in places like Mexico. It might take a little time, but
I track it down and make it available.

My personal opinion is... if the vocabulary is new then teach it in English
first and back up with a student translator and lots of visual aids. Most
kids can visually connect the word and the image together given enough
examples. Lots of kids know more English that they let on.

Oh, BTW, there is not a Spanish proficiency clause to teach art in Arizona,
though some schools consider that desirable. The problem is that there are
not enough teachers from these minority groups. In my district with about a
75% Hispanic population only one is Hispanic, one is Asian, the other 18 are
Caucasian. Of those 18, one is fairly fluent in Spanish.

Lorena Nalin
Tucson, AZ

>Have you tried the translation links? We've posted them before I
>could look on me web site file if someone doesn't post it. YOu might
>type an email and see if you can translate it over the internet. But
>my question is, being in New Mexico- wouldn't the school have to
>have translators, or isn't it bilingual anyway? Perhaps you can use
>a classmate to translate for you. I thought it was mandatory to work
>in places like CA, NM, Ariz., Texas and Fl, to be fluent in Spanish
>or is that just a misconception? Really I guess I'm thinking of
>student population,it would be better to be bilingual. That's great
>your thinking of your student and how to help him. Keep up the good
>work. If all else fails get a dictionary and translate a few words.
>Perhaps a few tools, material etc. and write on board. He should
>learn English> and I am saying this without Bias, since my Mother,
>who is full Mexican, was against us learning Spanish and speaking at
>home in spanish. A little thing about being in America and speaking
>the language here. (By the way her first language is Spanish and she
>didn't learn English until she went to school and then skipped a
>grade.)
>Sandra
>astroboy
>