Whittier Elementary, Boulder, CO, an International Baccalaureate School

Whittier International School
2008 Pine St, Boulder, CO 80302
303-442-2282

© 2004 Whittier International School
All Rigthts Reserved

International Baccalaureate Organization

Boulder Valley School District

The opportunity to experience another language is one of the basic elements of IB schools.

We’re Changing Our World Language to Spanish

As an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, Whittier is required to include
the teaching of a world language. The purpose of teaching another language is to build
an international perspective, to create a positive attitude towards language learning, to
develop empathy for our English language learners, and to foster a sense on inclusion in a
global community.

In the 2006-07 school year, we will begin teaching Spanish rather than French. Although
teaching French met our overall objectives, it was not a good match for the 17-19% of
our students who speak Spanish at home. It has been difficult for them to learn both
English and French. Learning Spanish as our world language will honor and build upon
their home language and culture. English will continue to be the language of instruction
at Whittier and in our ESL classes but Spanish instruction in the homeroom will support
English language acquisition.

With Spanish as our world language and written Spanish visible in our hallways and
classrooms, we feel that Spanish-speaking students will begin to build on their home
language rather than being ashamed to speak it at school. They will become the models
for language during Spanish language instruction and students will begin to see Spanishspeaking
students and their families as rich resources.

It is our belief that the positive educational and emotional impact of moving from French
to Spanish will not only be good for Spanish-speaking children but for all of our students.
Spanish is a language that children will hear in the community and have a chance to use
outside of school. Approximately 50% of our students continue on at Casey Middle
School. With a strong bilingual program, Casey offers Spanish rather than French as a
language option. Familiarity with Spanish in elementary school will facilitate
transitioning from Whittier to Casey. Wherever students go to middle school, we
encourage students to continue on with their language learning.
We are planning for Spanish language materials acquisition and professional
development necessary so that our teachers have the resources they will need to begin
using Spanish next fall. We are moving forward with enthusiasm and welcome your
support.

Spanish is the 2nd major language in the United States. Click here to learn about this language.

Korean is spoken by many families at Whittier. If you want to learn some basic Korean phrases, click here.


	Learning a World Language

	The opportunity to experience another language is one of the basic elements of IB schools. We’re Changing Our World Language to Spanish As an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, Whittier is required to include the teaching of a world language. The purpose of teaching another language is to build an international perspective, to create a positive attitude towards language learning, to develop empathy for our English language learners, and to foster a sense on inclusion in a global community. In the 2006-07 school year, we will begin teaching Spanish rather than French. Although teaching French met our overall objectives, it was not a good match for the 17-19% of our students who speak Spanish at home. It has been difficult for them to learn both English and French. Learning Spanish as our world language will honor and build upon their home language and culture. English will continue to be the language of instruction at Whittier and in our ESL classes but Spanish instruction in the homeroom will support English language acquisition. With Spanish as our world language and written Spanish visible in our hallways and classrooms, we feel that Spanish-speaking students will begin to build on their home language rather than being ashamed to speak it at school. They will become the models for language during Spanish language instruction and students will begin to see Spanishspeaking students and their families as rich resources. It is our belief that the positive educational and emotional impact of moving from French to Spanish will not only be good for Spanish-speaking children but for all of our students. Spanish is a language that children will hear in the community and have a chance to use outside of school. Approximately 50% of our students continue on at Casey Middle School. With a strong bilingual program, Casey offers Spanish rather than French as a language option. Familiarity with Spanish in elementary school will facilitate transitioning from Whittier to Casey. Wherever students go to middle school, we encourage students to continue on with their language learning. We are planning for Spanish language materials acquisition and professional development necessary so that our teachers have the resources they will need to begin using Spanish next fall. We are moving forward with enthusiasm and welcome your support. Spanish is the 2nd major language in the United States. Click here to learn about this language. Korean is spoken by many families at Whittier. If you want to learn some basic Korean phrases, click here.