6th, 7th graders offered Exploratory Spanish
Posted on 08/24/2018
Exploratory Spanish class at Sapulpa Middle School(SPS) - Buenas Tardes. Buenas Tardes. Como esta? Como esta?

Spanish singing and the rhythmic rattle of a maraca are not the typical sounds you hear inside Sapulpa Middle School but, this is not a typical year.

If you’re walking the halls in the afternoon, there’s a very good chance that’s exactly what you’ll hear.

Buenas Tardes. Buenas Tardes. Como esta? Como esta?

Middle School students have been offered the opportunity to take Spanish this year. It’s called Exploratory Spanish and it’s the first time the foreign language has been available in many years.

“I like it. It’s actually really, really fun. It’s my favorite class,” said 6th grader Sierra Greco.

The one-semester course is an introductory level class with the objective being to develop the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish.

“This program, the exploratory program, addresses very common topics that are redressed in Spanish 1 at the Junior High and High School level,” said Spanish teacher Elvira Smith.

Mrs. Smith teaches the classes and splits her time between the Jr/Sr High campus and the Middle School. In just the first few days of school, Mrs. Smith said she’s already seeing the excitement in her students.

“They have taken it so well.”

The class is not just about learning the language. Students will also gain an understanding of Spanish/Latin American culture which will help them be more conscious of another person’s customs and background.

“That is super important for our communities because we learn more about each other as we have our differences,” said Smith. “To learn how to respect our differences so that we can integrate our productive abilities into the community.”

“Learning a different culture is really, really useful especially if you’re going to be an interpreter and travel around the world,” said Sierra. “I’ve always wanted to be an interpreter.”

Sierra has already honed in on her post-education plans. She knows that learning Spanish now will help her later when she hits the job market.

“The way that the Hispanic population has grown in the last 20 years is exponential. And so, whatever field you are in, you are going to more than likely have that Spanish customer that will come to you with, ‘Buenas dias’ (good morning) or, ‘Buenas tardes’ (good afternoon). It’s almost inevitable,” said Mrs. Smith.

Despite the program being only a few days old, she can see it returning for years to come.

“I see the interest. I see the energies. But also by my administrators and their efforts to provide me with all the resources I can utilize to make my program fulfilled.”