A Spanish Immersion Experience

Spanish III Honors students took their study out of the classroom and into a broader context this week, on an outing which provided a living example of the benefits of studying a foreign language.

The students joined faculty member Elizabeth Mahoney on a visit to La Escuela Barbieri in Framingham. Barbieri, which educates students in both English and Spanish, is one of only two elementary schools in Massachusetts to be awarded an International Spanish Academy designation. It is known as one of the most successful two-way bilingual programs in the country.

The Montrose students visited different elementary-age classrooms at Barbieri from kindergarten to fifth grade, noting the progression. “The goal is for all Barbieri students to leave the school bilingual, which they do,” said Ms. Mahoney. In addition, the program aims to make students “bicultural,” helping the children to develop positive cross-cultural relationships. Montrose students were able to observe the language acquisition of the children and the language instruction of the teachers, while conversing in Spanish themselves.

The Barbieri School assistant principal, Jennifer Faber, met with the students and shared personal anecdotes about her own background as an immigrant from Cuba, entering kindergarten in America speaking only Spanish. “Our girls were so interested and open-minded, asked great questions and took copious notes,” said Ms. Mahoney.

After Mass at St. Stephen’s Church in Framingham, the girls had a private meeting with Rev. Francisco Anzoategui, in which they conversed in Spanish. “Father Paco” discussed with the girls the parallels between Irish immigrants who enriched the Catholic faith in the Boston area when they came here and Spanish-speaking immigrants bringing their faith to the area today.

As citizens of the world, Montrose students are called to greatness as they acquire foreign languages in context, in order to gain an authentic understanding of world cultures. “This outing provided students with a meaningful cultural immersion experience right near our school,” said Ms. Mahoney.