Spanish classes are the perfect place for teachers to work in lessons that break down social barriers.
Reflection
What is a diversity-related bias or
stereotype you have encountered with your students? How did you respond and
what did you learn in hindsight?
How are Spanish people portrayed at your school in artwork, photographs, posters and bulletin boards? What more can be done to promote cultural merging?
What opportunities do students at your school have to share their heritage or unique family situations, or to learn about each other’s heritage and unique family situations?
Tips for Conducting Interviews
Students
in Princeton Day School's Spanish class in Princeton, N.J., interviewed a wide
range of both native and heritage Spanish speakers throughout their school.
Those interviewed included fellow students, faculty, administrators and staff.
The project helped students practice their Spanish-language skills and also
elevated and valued the Latino culture and language within their school. This
project, of course, can be carried out in other language classes—including
Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew and Russian.
Below are some tips for conducting similar, successful interviews:
1. Plan ahead. There likely are many Spanish speakers within your school
community. Your teacher can help you identify them. Your interviews can be
conducted with individuals or groups that you choose or are assigned. Recording
your interviews will allow you to share them with others; your classroom can
also use them later for language practice.
2. Look beyond the school walls. If there are not many Spanish speakers
in your school, local groups can help. Organizations such as Hispanics
Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement (HISPA) can connect you with
potential participants.
3. Accommodate your subjects’ work schedule. Before interviewing faculty
and staff, ask permission from their supervisors and be mindful of the demands
of their jobs.
4. Choose a topic that fits your interests and language skill level.
Plan what you will discuss during your interview. If you are a beginning
Spanish student, you may want to stick to topics such as families or holidays.
Second- and third-year students may be able to choose broader subjects, such as
childhood experiences, culture or geography.
5. Communicate clear instructions. By scheduling an interview, both you
and your subject may be stepping out of your comfort zones! Be as clear as
possible about your expectations for the interview, including the format and
the time you will need.
6. Practice, practice, practice. Give yourself time to practice both the
vocabulary and grammar you are likely to use during the interview. Build your
skills and comfort level by role-playing with a partner in advance.
7. Don’t forget to say “gracias.” Acknowledge your subject’s time and
effort by thanking them in writing (and in Spanish, of course)! Your effort
shows that you value them as partners in your education.
8. Synthesize what you’ve learned. Create something that reflects what
you’ve learned during your interview or in conducting it. You could write an
editorial for the school paper, a blog entry or a guide for future students.
You also could design a poster, a map or a photo essay. Or, you may want to
prepare an oral presentation for your class that includes the recorded
interview.
Around the Web:
Hispanics
Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement (HISPA)