SANTILLANA USA - SUSA Dual Language Instructional Resources Brochure

• Integrates language and culture. • Builds on Heritage speakers’ current abilities in Spanish. • Addresses students’ Spanish needs in all four language domains (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) • Broadens students’ understanding of deeper aspects of culture HERITAGE SPEAKER PROGRAMS Heritage Speaker programs consist of entire classrooms of students who have some background with the Spanish language. Heritage Spanish speakers can communicate orally with greater ease than their classmates learning Spanish for the first time. These students often speak Spanish at home. For many, English is their first language, but they may use Spanish to communicate with family members. Goals of the Program Benefits of the Program As an articulation of dual language programs as students advance to middle and high school, the main goal for Heritage Speaker programs is to improve in all domains of Spanish proficiency (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Since some Heritage speakers cannot write or use academic or more complex language at the same level of proficiency as they can speak, improving Spanish literacy and writing skills is a primary goal of a Heritage Speaker program. Needs of Students in Heritage Speaker Programs • Advanced literacy and language arts in Spanish • Reading and interpreting nonfiction texts • Examining their own cultural identity • Comprehending authors and famous Spanish works in their historical contexts • Academic content instruction in Spanish