Ms. Camila - Spanish Language Teacher
camila.c@stmarycs.net

A Little Bit About Me
¡Hola! I am Ms. Camila. Why Spanish? Because it is a language that people made in God's image speak, and we want to be able to communicate with and love as many people as possible! I have been teaching Spanish in Northern Colorado for the past five years, and was teaching and working with children in other programs prior to that. I have my bachelor's degree in Spanish from Colorado State University (though I completed most of my studies in Nebraska and Mexico. I got my teaching training from the University of Northern Colorado. I am in love with Nicaragua, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and am certain I would be in love with other countries I could spend time in! I am interested in learning more languages. I converted to Catholicism not long ago and am so thrilled about it!

A Little Bit About Spanish Class
In Spanish class, we will pray, sing, get to know each other (in Spanish) and learn about other countries. We will cover several cultural holidays.  For example, in the fall are Mexico's and many Central American countries' independence days. We do a St. Mary schoolwide cheering ceremony to mimic Mexico's "Grito".

 

Spanish class used to revolve around repetition and grammar drills. We were talking about the language instead of talking in the language. But the methods of language teaching are changing for the better. Natural language acquisituion is as follows: You start to learn a language by understanding what is said. You respond physically or emotionally but can't say much. Later, you say words: next you speak in grammatically incorrect sentences; later still you become an accurate speaker. Lastly, after you are fluent, you may get your spelling and grammar labeling down pat!

In class, I will speak with a high frequency vocabulary so that your learner can hear messages that are likely to come up again. Communication involves all kinds of grammar at the same time. Your student is free to imagine and create with the language. Students shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes; they are a natural part of the communication process! If you would like to read more about this methodology, it is called Total Physical Response and Storytelling, and Comprehensive Input.
Here is a link from my student teaching: https://www.brycehedstrom.com/language-links/.
This approach is compatible with the current curriculum and philosophy of the Archdiocese of Denver: https://archden.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2012_WL-Curriculum_OBJECTIVES_BY_GRADE.pdf

https://archden.org/wp-contect/uploads/2014/06/2012_WLC_PHILOSOPHY.pdf