Virginia Beach was a pioneer in teaching language to young children. I believe that children at this age can learn like natives. You speak it. They repeat it. They learn it and that’s it! It’s very simple.
They’re first-graders and they know nothing because the majority of the students have never been exposed to the language. This week, even though it was the first week, I decided I just need to speak and they need to figure it out. I do enough motions. I show them pictures. I act it out. All those are cues and, in their brains, they feel the need and they want to understand the teacher. I bank on that. For example, we played a game where they have to guess the number. They have no clue what I’m saying but they saw the numbers, and I pointed and I made gestures. Within five minutes they knew the game. I didn’t have to speak in English.
What do you like about teaching in the immersion program?
First of all, I truly believe that is my gift. When I’m here, I smile, I don’t need to fake anything. I enjoy being here. I like the children and I truly believe in the program. I wish every single school could have it. In that regard, there is no effort. I love what I do. The load is big but I love what I do. I’ve taught from little ones to high school. I just love children. If you get into their brains, understand their stage of development and understand how they think, you can put yourself at their level and teach them anything.
#WeAreVBSchools
