Learning Spanish with Help from a Chapin "Sister"

Learning Spanish with Help from a Chapin "Sister"

On a recent afternoon in Carolina Aguasanta’s classroom, her Class 2 students played Guess Who?, the popular game in which participants try to figure out the identities of various characters. In this version, which was modified for Spanish speakers, the girls stood their white binders up between them, as barriers to prevent their partners from sneaking a peek at their papers. Then, they took turns asking each other pointed questions in an attempt to correctly guess their “person,” be it Raquel with the red hat, Javier with the brown mustache or Ricardo with the glasses.

For example, at one table, one student chose from the faces on the sheet in front of her (she picked Carlos). Her partner proceeded to ask her questions like “¿Eres una mujar?” (Are you a woman?), “¿Tienes el pelo liso?” (Do you have straight hair?) or ¿Tienes una barba?” (Do you have a beard?). The students kept track of their guesses by marking their plastic-covered papers with erasable markers.

On this particular day, Sra. Aguasanta received a little help from an enthusiastic and proficient Spanish speaker, who also happens to be a Chapin Upper School student. Amy Weinreich, in Class 11, has loved Spanish ever since she herself was in Lower School and began learning the language in Remedios López Polo’s class. “I definitely remember my Spanish journey,” said Amy, who has deepened her knowledge of the language through service-learning trips to Costa Rica, Spain and Guatemala.

Seeking an opportunity to unite two of her passions – speaking Spanish and working with children – Amy asked her advisor, Upper School Head Michael Maloy, for ideas. He suggested she go back to Lower School as a volunteer in Sra. Aguasanta and Sra. López Polo’s classes. A plan was put in place, and Amy will be spending one period in each teacher’s class (during I day and N day) on a continuing basis as long as her schedule allows.

“Amy reached out because she began learning Spanish in Class 1, and her interest has flourished throughout the years,” explained Sra. Aguasanta. “Not only will the girls be excited to see one of their big 'sisters' in their classroom, but they will be able to see how fluent they can become if they continue learning the language.” 

“I’m having so much fun!” Amy remarked with a big smile. She was in the middle of guiding two students through their Guess Who? game. It was clear to this writer how much these Class 2 students enjoyed interacting with their special visitor. Patiently reminding the energetic girls to speak “en español,” Amy helped them pronounce challenging words (like “avellana,” which means hazel) and stay on task. “It’s really amazing to watch them pick up phrases so quickly,” she commented.

At the end of the lesson, Amy helped collect the papers and markers and shepherd the students to the rug for the final lesson of the day, which focused on colors. After this group of students (half of one class) was picked up by their teacher, she stayed behind to share her thoughts. “Learning languages helps connect across cultures on a global scale,” she said. “There’s a stereotype that Americans speak only English. I want to break that stereotype.” With her beautiful command of Spanish and her dedication to helping others, Amy is well on her way. For now, she’s delighted to be serving as a role model for her younger Chapin “sisters” in Lower School Spanish.

 “I hope they look up to me. I’m working hard at becoming fluent,” she said.

Browse photos from the class below: