Fifteen teachers at Northwest Middle School are taking a Spanish for Educators course to help them gain basic conversational skills and cultural understanding for communicating with their Spanish-speaking students and their families.
The 10-week, online program is offered by The Tennessee Language Center (TLC), an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. TLC has also taught the course for Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Schools and Maury County Schools. Northwest Middle School is the first Knox County school to offer the course to teachers.
Principal Joann Gardner says Hispanic enrollment has doubled in the last two years, and she was interested in the course to help teachers communicate the basics with the students and their families.
“This program is unique from other beginner Spanish classes that we offer,” says Dr. C. Brian Barnett, director of world languages at TLC. “The curriculum includes basic Spanish vocabulary and structures, but also incorporates classroom connection topics that educators are likely to encounter during their regular workday.”
For more information about the Spanish for Educators course:
- Email: worldlanguages@tennesse.edu
- Phone: TLC: 615-741-7579
- Web: tennessee.edu/professional-development/spanish-for-educators/
Information for this article provided by The Tennessee Language Center.
The Tennessee Language Center (TLC) is an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. TLC focuses on language learning, teaching, and services for the public sector, the business community, and private citizens with a mission of facilitating the intercultural communication goals of Tennesseans and others around the globe.
