If you just can’t get enough of Spanish language and cultures, then stop by the Center for Spanish Studies in Padelford Hall, Room B-202C.
The UW’s Center for Spanish Studies, one of fifteen in the U.S. and Canada, is a cooperative venture between the University of Washington, the Spanish Ministry of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Education and is aimed at promoting and supporting programs that teach Spanish to K-12 students in both public and private schools.
Each year, professional development sessions are held for teachers and TA’s from all over the state of Washington to perfect their techniques and learn not only language teaching skills but also how to incorporate culture, music and dance in their lessons.
According to the UW Center’s Director, Eva González-Abad anyone interested in the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures can borrow materials from the Resource Center. “No card required!” says González-Abad. The Resource Center contains bibliographic and video graphic materials as well as novels and books on teaching, traveling and Spanish culture. “Culture and language go hand in hand,” explained González-Abad, “and the Spanish language includes many cultures of all countries that speak Spanish.”
Through the Center, the public is encouraged to:
- Attend professional development workshops, classes and conferences;
- Ask for linguistic advice and cultural assessments;
- Obtain information on job availability;
- Learn about programs of the Spanish Ministry of Education in the United States.
Teachers can:
- Access resources;
- Learn the latest news from the Hispanic Community;
- Enter contests for Elementary, Middle and High School students such as “Escribo en espanol”;
- Find information about professional development courses and more.
In addition to most of the above, students can:
- Attend Spanish conversation groups;
- Utilize the Resource Center for studies or personal interest.
“We are very proud of the kudos we have received from the community regarding our efforts to reach out to the many Spanish speaking backgrounds and cultures in Seattle,” said González-Abad. Seattle has a richly diverse Spanish speaking community,” she added.
In early September the Center organized a seminar for the North American Cultural Ambassadors returning from a year in Spain where they helped in the schools.
The ambassadors, many of them recent UW graduates, exchanged reflections on their experience and made suggestions as to how the program could be improved. 20 cultural ambassadors attended the September seminar, many of whom are going back for a second year. The Seattle Public Schools’ Administrator of International Schools Programs and the World Language Supervisor at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction talked about career options for the returning ambassadors as well as immersion programs in the public schools. New ambassadors also attended to pick up tips and contact information.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Center for Spanish Studies or to learn about upcoming events, email Eva González-Abad at
spnrectr@u.washington.edu
Center for Spanish Studies web site
We are happy to announce that the Center is on Facebook now. We hope that we can keep you all posted more easily now. Become a Facebook follower of the Center!