Joyce Staff Experience Language Immersion from Children’s Perspective
Joyce staff members are accustomed to hearing spirited children’s songs sung in Spanish and English on a daily basis, but during these quiet days following the end of the school year, new words - in Malay - were filling the preschool’s halls with music and rhythm.
Rasa sayang, eh!,
Rasa sayang sayang eh,
Hey lihat nona jauh,
Rasa sayang sayang eh!
Joyce’s AmeriCorps*VISTA member, Brian Carter, started off the staff in-service training by teaching his “students” the words in Malay for stand, sit, paint, and dance. Brian spent two years in Malaysia working at Nur Salam childcare center before beginning his service at Joyce. Utilizing Brian’s knowledge of child development and proficiency in the Malay language, Joyce teachers and other staff members were able to experience language immersion from a different point of view Wednesday morning - as the students.
First, Brian spoke in a loud, commanding voice, making ambiguous gestures. He asked questions that no one understood, then called on individuals for their responses. He had expectations, but no one knew what they were. Sure, Brian was enthusiastic, and spoke clearly, but were his students learning anything?
Then, Brian switched his method. He wrote out the words “Rasa sayang” on the whiteboard, and made a heart-shape with his hands. This time around, when he led the class in song, he included clapping and knee-slapping as a way to participate. Brian jumped in the air and said, “melompat.” He held an invisible brush and made long, sweeping strokes through the air, repeating, “berwarna” Finally he waltzed with an imaginary partner in a small circle and said, “menari.” Everyone’s face lit up.
Brian utilized repetition, singing the Rasa Sayang song again, and again. He posted photographs. He found cognates between English and Malay and Spanish: activity = aktiviti = actividad. At the end of our short immersion experience in Malay, Joyce staff members were producing words, participating in music and movement activities, and eager to learn more. Sarah Clyne, Executive Director, followed Brian’s introduction with a presentation of dual language immersion best practices, and led a series of activities designed to reflect upon and hone Joyce’s quality two-way immersion techniques.
Your child can experience Spanish immersion this summer through one of Joyce’s five sessions of Spanish Immersion Summer Camp. Starting June 4th, with three added sessions in August. Register now!