¡Aprendamos español!
Sharks start to learn Spanish early.
Spanish is getting a stronger focus at JCDS this year. Students in all grades will now receive Spanish instruction twice during each 6-day cycle (up from once in the previous 5-day cycle). To make this possible, JCDS has added a second Spanish teacher.
"Consistency and repetition matter when teaching children another language. Having Spanish twice every cycle gives children more opportunities to hear and practice the language," explained Director of Education Tonya Elstein. "It builds vocabulary, confidence, listening skills, and a genuine connection to another language."
Tania Cochran, a native Spanish speaker born in Havana, Cuba, who has served as an assistant teacher in Pre-K, will now teach Spanish to students in Pre-K through 1st grade. Señora Iliana Leonard will continue teaching Spanish to students in grades 2–5.
JCDS is taking advantage of children’s formative years for language learning. Starting as early as age 3 offers one of the best opportunities to acquire a second language.
Señora Leonard believes younger learners typically have a lower affective filterbecause they are naturally less self-conscious, less fearful of making mistakes, and more willing to risk using Spanish in a supportive environment such as JCDS.
"The younger kids are, the less they are concerned about making mistakes," said Señora Leonard. "They are not as concerned with sounding silly, or making grammatical mistakes in front of classmates. At an older age they are more worried about what their peers think about their pronunciation and vocabulary."
Both Spanish teachers are in agreement on this point.
"Preschool and elementary school are critical years for language acquisition," said Señora Cochran. "At this age, they can easily pick up pronunciation, vocabulary, and basic sentence structures. Introducing Spanish during these years helps establish a strong foundation for future language learning."
Art is woven into the Spanish curriculum to support visual learning and help students develop visual thinking skills. It also serves as a powerful motivator, making lessons more engaging and memorable.
This week, 1st-graders learned about Mi cara y mi cuerpo (my face and my body) and were asked to draw self-portraits with a feliz (happy) expression.
The smiles on their faces said it all—they genuinely enjoyed learning new Spanish words while creating their portraits. These are the kinds of moments that create lasting memories.
Learning Spanish early takes advantage of the brain’s high ability to adapt. Benefits in attention and mental flexibility can show up even in infancy and the preschool years. This early experience also builds openness to different cultures and perspectives, supporting greater global awareness.
"Learning Spanish early fosters cultural awareness which allows children to understand and appreciate diverse cultures," said Señora Cochran. "This ability to communicate in Spanish also opens doors for personal growth, such as increased confidence and self-esteem."
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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