Reading books and magazines is great for learning expressions that people use in everyday life. We are grateful at Shadow Hills Elementary school to the Sanchez family and PTA for donating funds for us to purchase Spanish books for our library. Reading in Spanish is one of the best ways for our students to immerse themselves in the language. This is because when they read, they are contextualizing all the vocabulary and grammar they have already learned in class. Instead of forcing new vocabulary into their minds with memorization exercises, reading allows students to subconsciously visualize and retain new words and phases. It is a fast way to improve vocabulary use in both speaking and writing in Spanish.
Reading in Spanish is also a very accessible activity that anyone can easily find time to do. Students can read before bed, on the way to class or during their lunch break. Many families have started ordering magazine subscriptions to help their students learn their new language.
Another reason reading when learning a language is so important is because it helps students to learn cultural expressions and idioms. If students only learn language from a textbook, then they are going to sound like a textbook when they speak. We want our students to showcase their personality and engage in comfortable conversations. If you are interested in our Dual Language program, please call (619) 445-2977 for more information.
