Teaching Spanish Through E-Portfolio Development

Using an E-Portfolio to Teach Spanish

With each incoming generation of students, there is a greater and greater interest and involvement with technology in the classroom. Today's students receive, and assimilate, information in a different way than what occurred a decade ago. As such, it is up to teachers to learn about, and utilize, technology in order to reach our learners. Below you will find a link to an E-Portfolio which I have created. Included are examples of a Voicethread, PowerPoint, Lesson Plans and a WebQuest.

Add a Link

EPortfolio

Enjoying the Food of Mexico

Eating Authentic Mexican Foods

One of the best things about travelling to a foreign country is trying out all of the different foods at the many exotic restaurants along the way. While in Mexico, my family and I ate at as many authentic Mexican restaurants as possible. It was fun trying the many dishes that we had never even heard of. Occasionally, we would prepare a meal at our rental home in Akumal. We were delighted to find a local resident who prepared fresh tortillas for us every morning. If you have ever tasted the real thing, fresh off the griddle, then you know that there is no comparision between authentic tortilla and those we get in the U.S. supermarkets. How we missed those fresh tortillas when we returned home!

My Favorites

The Benefits of Self Study

If you really want to learn Spanish there is only one way to do it - take the initiative and study! There are many websites available to help you learn. Some are designed for older students and adults, while others are definitely meant to cater to young learners. If all of the glitz and animation is not for you, then find one that works for you and go for it. The beauty of self study is that you can take your time, making sure you master pronunciation as well as content. Here are some of my favorites.
www.spanishspanish.com and www.learnspanish.com

Enjoy!

Typing Punctuation in Spanish using Microsoft Word

Spanish Punctuation

Spanish uses most of the standard English punctuation marks, plus some. If you want to type Spanish text, first make sure your word processing program is set to US-International English. To do this go to your control panel and click on the Regional and Language Options, then Languages. You will want to make sure you have entered a check next to US-International English. I have composed a short tutorial that will help you use a standard keyboard to type the special Spanish punctuation marks needed when writing text.

Feeling the Language

Stages of Language Acquisition

I think the stages of language learning are not so different from those of learning to walk. We take steps, we stumble, we waddle, fall and then run. Beginning language learners often face similar challenges as they try to piece together a logical dialogue with words that won't come, and using grammar that does not make sense. The wonderful thing about learning a second language is the feeling one gets as they become more and more proficient. To me, it is the point at which one 'feels the language' that learning becomes truly enjoyable. The disconnect between thinking and speaking gradually fades and we begin to speak spontaneously. At that point you know that you have taken ownership of your new language. What remains is to have fun with it.