playing dominosAbout the Program

Children are naturally more “efficient” foreign language learners with great capacity to learn a second language. Risas y Sonrisas significantly enhances the learning process through use of:

  • Music
  • Creative Visual Aids
  • Games
  • Acting Practical Conversations
  • Variety in Class Presentations
  • A Relaxed and Fun-Filled Environment

Steps:

1) Pronunciation and Reading Skills

  • Pictures representing the sounds of vowels and consonants that are different in Spanish are used to teach pronunciation.
  • Pronunciation differences are emphasized by using cognate words – words that are similar in English and Spanish but pronounced differently.
  • Posters, cards, songs, games, Q&A and skits are used for continuous reinforcement.

Step one

2) A Song introduces each vocabulary unit, which can be presented in three ways:

  • CD-ROM – Students can read and sing the song slowly repeating (echoing) each line.
  • Posters and Music CD – Students can follow lyrics or the pictures in the same order as the song.
  • Sign and Sing DVD – Students can learn the songs with American Sign Language.


Step three

3) Games activate vocabulary

  • Games include magnetic pictures, color-coded word cards, bingo cards and matching dominos.
  • Primary games are used for introduction and secondary games for reinforcement – some general, some specific for certain vocabulary units.

 

4) Q&A of frequent use are incorporated

  • Development of practical conversation skills is facilitated using Q&A.
  • Once a Q&A is learned it continues to be used with new vocabulary.

Step four

Step five5) A skit is rehearsed by students

  • Skits summarize the unit’s vocabulary and the Q&A using practical conversations.
  • Students watch skits on subtitled DVD acted by native speakers.
  • The book has the skits written in Spanish and English for students to read and act out in class.

 

 


6) Students build picture sentences in the present, past and future

  • Once students are introduced to verbs and personal pronouns, they can begin to build picture sentences using different tenses.
  • Students gain confidence, knowing they can put together sentences from vocabulary learned in class.

Picture sentence

Step seven7) A cultural point ends each chapter

  • Cultural Points expose students to the culture of the language they are learning.
  • Videos and books are recommended for enrichment.

The Risas y Sonrisas Spanish Program fully meets
ACTFL National Standards and Goals.

 

Learning a new language requires practice... make it fun!