The instructor, Tricia Idrobo, teaches conversation—listening and speaking—through various activities such as acting out words, using pictures, back and forth questioning, stories, games, practicing pronunciation, reading, and whole-class or partner conversations. Simple explanations of grammar are given as needed, but the class is not grammar-based, meaning we do not emphasize grammar exercises, but learn through using grammar in real situations. At the upper levels, more advanced reading and writing are emphasized.
Having studied many teaching methods, Ms. Idrobo draws upon them all for an eclectic teaching style. Her methods include but are not limited to: active participation, TPR (Total Physical Response) TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), and using comprehensible input, graduated interval recall, task-based, project-based, and situation-based learning. The goal is always confident communication.
A typical lesson
A typical lesson might start with the introduction of new vocabulary through gestures, pictures, or quick translation, if needed. The new words might then be used in a short, 5 or 6-sentence story, which is repeated many times in various ways—with gestures and pictures, without gestures and pictures, slow, fast, changing details, changing characters, changing point of view, asking students to fill in the blanks, etc. There might be questions and answers about the story. Grammatical structures are explained, as needed. The new vocabulary and structures are then used in practical conversational contexts. Conversation might start as whole-class conversation and continue on to practice in pairs or small groups. Games are also employed to facilitate further practice. The aim is to get as much time as possible using the language and to build one’s confidence!
I really enjoyed the summer class and I appreciate all your support! You make the classes interesting and practical.
-D.M. 8/15
Amistad Spanish Instruction 