Notable Programs

World Languages K-3 Spanish

Our Program

Dalton's elementary Spanish program began in the fall of 2014 with Kindergarten students. In 2015 we added the first grade, and the second grade in 2016. Next year (2017) we will complete the sequence with our third graders!
 
Starting their language learning journey at the entry point of the school's K-12 World and Classical Languages program, our Kindergarteners play, create, experiment and sing in Spanish for 30 minutes daily in a culturally rich and communicative program. Students in grades 1-3 have Spanish classes four days/week for 25 minutes.

Dalton's is a content-based FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) model

in which students come to language class for a specific amount of time each day and learn the language through content (in our case, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).

FLES is beneficial because it:
  • reinforces concepts from other disciplines;
  • increases awareness of other cultures, peoples and languages;
  • strengthens knowledge of first language - especially vocabulary and grammar;
    and
  • FLES is easy and fun for young learners.
Along with learning vocabulary, communicative structures, and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, students do hands-on experiments, discuss science concepts, create art – all in Spanish! This kind of content-based learning is considered best practice by researchers and supported by our national professional organization, ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
 
Our aim in the program is to build communicative proficiency, cultural understanding, and to instill a love of languages from an early age!

Spanish language resources for young learners

There are many free external *resources online that can support language learning in a virtual environment. Here are some excellent web tools that are particularly good for young language learners. ¡Buena suerte!

*By clicking the links below, you agree to our Endorsement Disclaimer.
  • BBC Bitesize - Modern Foreign Languages
    BBC’s Bitesize website offers short lessons, videos, quizzes, and interactive activities for children to learn Spanish, French, Mandarin, German, and Italian languages.
  • Chillola.com
    A nice site for FLES, immersion and beginning students of Spanish. Good visual practice with audio of the alphabet, numbers and colors. Handouts and printables available as well.
  • El Reloj
    On this site, students can learn all about the clock, telling time, numbers, and more. GREAT for elementary students, FLES and immersion. Also could be good for middle school beginning level classes.
  • Escuela en la Nube
    There are tons of handouts on this site for teaching about the environment, math, and Spanish language (i.e., spelling) and stories. Great for FLES, immersion or content-based novice classes.
  • Español para las primeras edades
    This excellent site from Spain has two levels of activities for elementary-aged students. Topics include: los animales, los transportes, los alimentos, la familia, los juguetes, el colegio, and more.
  • Languages Online
    Languages Online contains free resource for language students and teachers. Ready-made interactive tasks, songs, games, and worksheets are available for students learning Spanish and other languages.
  • La vuelta al mundo en mil palabras
    This site has games and activities that gets students to practice travel vocabulary in fun and visual games and tasks. Topics include: viajes, geografia, transportes y comunicaciones, documentación y alojamiento and equipo. Good for FLES, immersion and beginners.
  • Learn4Good - Spanish
    Some good introductory lessons for kids with colors, numbers, verbs, restaurant and survival vocabulary; click on the words or pictures and hear the words spoken slowly and clearly; good for FLES, immersion, elementary, preschool, etc.
  • Learning Chocolate
    The Learning Chocolate site has exercises that use pictures, sounds, and games and users can choose any vocabulary topic link from the homepage to start learning new words. The numerous topics include animals, activities, clothing, food, hobbies, and holidays. There are games for matching the new word to its meaning with pictures or its pronunciation, and there are games for learning how to spell the new words.
  • Mi Mundo en Palabras
    Centro Virtual Cervantes site for kids; fantastic beginning level activities, games and other fun materials.
  • Noah Comprende
    This video series is about a nine-year-old boy visiting his grandmother in a Spanish-speaking community. Each three-minute video features opportunities for kids to roll their cursors over objects on the screen to hear the Spanish translations and three different games reinforce learning.
  • Pictojuegos
    A collection of three games in Spanish that are great for vocabulary, especially the "aprende" section where users can learn words and phrases with animation and narration. In the "juega" section where there are 32 questions - students click on the answer and are told if they are right or wrong.
  • Tu Discovery Kids
    This excellent site has tons of fun flash games in Spanish. Of particular interest are these: Atuendos tradicionales (kids guess where the characters are from based on their traditional clothes), Jugando con las profesiones, La vida marina and tons more!

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World & Classical Languages Curriculum & Faculty

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World and Classical Languages Media

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  • The Introduction to Mandarin class celebrated Halloween with a Chinese horror story: Hu Gu Pó (Tiger Aunt). The class made predictions about the story, listened to the story in Chinese, watched the story video, and sang a nursery rhyme related to the story. At the end, everyone earned a táng guo (candy) for their hard work!!

    Mandarin Students Learn Chinese Folktale, Hu Gu Pó

    The Introduction to Mandarin class celebrated Halloween with a Chinese horror story: Hu Gu Pó (Tiger Aunt). The class made predictions about the story, listened to the story in Chinese, watched the story video, and sang a nursery rhyme related to the story. At the end, everyone earned a táng guo (candy) for their hard work!!

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(Grades K-3) 53 East 91st Street
New York, NY 10128
General: (212) 423-5200 | Admissions: (212) 423-5463
General: info@dalton.org | Admissions: fpadmissions@dalton.org

(Gr. 4 Dalton East & PE Center) 200 East 87th Street
New York, NY 10128
General: (212) 423-5200 | Admissions: (212) 423-5262
General: info@dalton.org | Admissions: admissionsmshs@dalton.org

(Grade 5-12) 108 East 89th Street
New York, NY 10128
General: (212) 423-5200 | Admissions: (212) 423-5262
General: info@dalton.org | Admissions: admissionsmshs@dalton.org