Talking it out

Learning language, becoming well versed in the intricacies of dialect

and meaning, is part of what the students enjoy about studying

Spanish. It enhances their lives and opens the door to other

cultures.

“They need to know grammar structure and language,” teacher Rod

Ortiz said. “We’ll choose a reading selection and learn the grammar

in context, building up their vocabulary, reading and studying in

context -- so they take a story and put it in their own words and

structure their own story.”

The Laguna Beach High School students also read in class, there’s

an oral component where they do things, such as summarizing verbiage

without their written work for assistance.

“We use this together to speak fluently in the language,” Ortiz

said.

Speaking only in Spanish, the Spanish II class seemed quite

advanced and adept in the language, they were taking turns doing oral

summations about the reading passage.

“I’m checking to see if they’re using major grammar and giving

points to see if they’re using the subjunctive, which will earn them

a higher grade than present tense only,” Ortiz said. “I’m checking to

see if they know other words to use.”

Katy Manee, 16, said that they have been working on the

subjunctive.

“We read a story, do drawings summarizing the story in our own

words, talking about the story,” Katy said. “My favorite thing about

class is that our professor makes everything more fun and

interesting, easier to learn.”

Robert Knapp, 15, said they’re doing a lot of grammar and learning

about culture.

“We’re learning how to speak the way a native would speak --

rather than speaking like some Spanish student would be speaking,” he

said.

Robert transferred to the Laguna Beach School District from a

private school his freshman year and appreciates how much more

Spanish he is learning.

“It’s fresh here, different -- actually a lot better here,” Robert

said. “I really enjoy the style, we learn how to speak instead of

just learning vocabulary all day.”

Ortiz explained the progression of how he teaches.

“I don’t give any reading until they’re ready,” Ortiz said. “We

get well prepared, that’s the last thing on the agenda. I’m looking

for them to be able to manipulate the language in their own words,

looking to see if they can produce either in written or verbal form

what they’re doing in class. It works well with the growth level of

advanced Spanish.”

Roxy McKnight, 16, said it’s great to know a language, learn how

to speak it and understand the grammar.

“Knowing the language is a great thing to know for the future,

it’s very enjoyable,” Roxy said. “I want to take it to the extreme,

my goal is to be fluent and go to Spain or somewhere, speak fluently

and understand what people are saying to me.”