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November 12, 2009

ULM students share Spanish skills with area elementary students

The Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, in partnership with the Monroe City Schools, continued a program this fall to teach basic Spanish to elementary students enrolled in the Monroe City School District.

The program is offered through Cypress Point, Lexington, and J.S. Clark Elementary Schools. The district developed the program in response to an inquiry from Monroe School Board Member Vickie Krutzer who had been seeking a method for increasing access to language learning.

It was initiated last year when Spanish students from ULM were placed at Cypress Point, Lexington, Lincoln, and Sallie Humble Elementary Schools.

ULM Department of Foreign Languages Head Dr. Ruth E. Smith and Dr. Charles Holloway developed the proposal, which was well received by several area elementary principals.

The program has proven mutually beneficial to the ULM students and the elementary students enrolled in the classes. ULM students use the language and experience the joy of teaching, while the elementary students study the language in a structured format before advancing to middle school and potential enrollment in foreign language courses.

As was the case during the previous year, Dr. Holloway prepares structured lesson plans and works closely with the schools while providing guidance to the ULM students.

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