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Steps to Functional Biliteracy |
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Sista Specialist -
Culture
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Written by Zulmara
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 Many of us grew up speaking a second language, but never took the time to become functional biliterates. So we can speak with grandma in a pinch and we can chatter with our “girlfriends” when we don’t want anyone to know what we are saying, and we can even order a vino con nuestro ceviche, but we cannot translate at high levels at the office, read the latest mag in Spanish (except for maybe the ads), or write that memo that needs to be in Spanish.
However, it behooves us to take a few steps everyday to become functional biliterates who are connecting with our cultural roots, staying true to who we are, and getting the most from our alma Latina…look at all the wonderful songs, poems, novels, and stories which offers a richer, deeper, more satisfying experience when accessed in the primary language.
Here are a few easy steps to follow on your way to becoming the most AWESOME bilingual role model you can be.
Listen, Listen, Listen, and Listen some more
¡ Listen to songs, they carry the rhythm and beat of the language
¡ Listen to audio books, especially of your favorite Chic lit author…you get to hear the story in the richness of Spanish and this will help improve your Spanish reading as well.
¡ Buy movies with Spanish language tracks and put it on the Spanish track, especially caundo la familia esta, that way, you can all learn together and tune your ear to the cadence of the language.
¡ Listen to your Abuelita/o’s stories. They are from the heart and important to incorporate the sounds of your heritage language into your being, your spirit, your soul. It is essential to tune your ear to the rhythms and beat of the language that comes from the body, soul, spirit to give heart to your language, thoughts, dreams.
Speak, Speak, Speak, and Speak some more
¡ Talk to more competent friends
¡ Chat with less competent friends
¡ Speak outside your comfort zone
¡ Gossip with your fav peeps
¡ Converse with your professors
¡ Join conversational groups
¡ SING at the top of your lungs…in the shower, in the car, in the privacy of your home…this way you will not disturb others as you practice, practice, practice
¡ Find a Salsa club and Dance the night away…the sounds, the rhythm, the lights will help to infuse your Latina soul with energy, spirit, and life.
Read, Read, Read, and Read some more
¡ Read lyrics to songs…they are fun, sassy, easy to access on the net, and help you get to the rhythm of the languageespecially if you are SINGING at the top of your lungs.
¡ Read captions in Spanish during movieswhen you put on your favorite DVD, put on the captions in Spanish…even just paying slight attention to the captions will help you get a sense of the language.
¡ Read short pieces…dichos, proverbs, sayings, and other short phrases in Spanish…and in English if you can find both…some of our Latino clothiers offer great practice.
¡ Read poems out loud…get Neruda’s 20 Poemas de Amor…the bilingual version and practice reading both out loud…to train your ear and your tongue to the rhythmic, poetic, sounds of the language.
¡ Read children’s books…first start easy readers in Spanish, rhymes, and other children’s stories that will help you work your way up to chica lit
Write, Write, Write, and Write some more
¡ Start with copying…just to get your motor memory for the feel of the words in place. Copy rhymes, songs, recipes, dichos
¡ Chat with a friend online…instant messaging is the best place to learn how to type the language quickly and fluently.
¡ Read an online Spanish blog and leave an answer in Spanish regularly. This will help you to write out of your comfort zone…and force you to look up words you do not know who to spell
¡ Sprinkle Spanish words in your daily journal writing. Look for Spanish prompts online, use dichos, lyrics, or poems for prompts
There are a multitude of resources and it is easy to get started, download your favorite tunes to your iPod and start listening, singing, reading, and copying those lyrics in a special journal and soon you will find your groove and be inspired to go on to the next steps.
The most important thing to remember is to be inspired and to stay motivated as you weave your heritage language into the fabric of your life. Take that more competent friend to lunch, invite that less competent friend for ice cream, and offer to help with the Tamales…or any other time the women get together for chisme.
Zulmara Cline is an educational consultant with expertise in multicultural/multilingual education. She has authored numerous articles for education, is a curriculum expert, and has studied leadership extensively. She is also a poet, short story writer, and working on a piece of fiction. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California and currently heads up her own online business, EZ Bilingual with a colleague from Nicaragua, Eduardo Estrada Montenegro. Her website address is www.ezbilingual.net. The mission of the EZ Bilingual is dedicated to facilitating the biliteracy efforts of parents and teachers, especially those in dual immersion schools. The site is dedicated to providing research, curriculum, and instructional practices that will allow parents and teachers to help children reach their goals of proficient reading and writing in both English and Spanish.
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