Part 2, Parent Resources: Spotlight on Foreign Language Children's Educators- An Interview with Lucelis Torres of Montessori Bilingual Academy in Orlando, FL

Unless the second language you want to teach your child is spoken fluently and as the primary, regular language heard in your home...chances are you will be in need of some "back-up"  in the way of foreign language education for your child.  Searching for the perfect daycare, preschool or elementary school and beyond is hard enough on parents- tracking down the right extra-curricular programs might be too much to ask of busy parents! So, I'm going to work on making that easier for you by doing some legwork to find the best programs available nationwide and connecting children's foreign language educators with parents by way of in depth interviews posted right here at SmartMouth's bilingual and foreign language children's education blog.  

I'm excited to print this second interview in our series with Lucelis Torres, founder and director of Montessori Bilingual Academy (MBA), a bilingual and Montessori-based school in Orlando, Florida.  MBA's program was founded in 1997, born of Ms. Torres' frustration with the lack of quality bilingual programming available to students in the area, and her enthusiasm for the Montessori schooling her own daughters (then 9 and 10) had received thus far.   Lucky for us!  Since over a decade later, Central Florida students have the opportunity to learn at what has become one of the most unique and effective Montessori programs in the area, marrying the Montessori philosophy with a complete, Bilingual education program. Read on to learn more about MBA's innovative programs, their inspiring  founder, and get some great advice about how to support your child's foreign language classroom learning at home (whatever program you choose to follow).

1. What do you see as the biggest challenge in teaching children a foreign language?

In the beginning, gathering materials and teaching tools to operate a bilingual classroom (particularly one for the younger children) was a real challenge.  I traveled back to my home country regularly to acquire Spanish language children's books and materials for the school.  Today, my biggest challenge is the competing role "English" plays in my students lives (particularly in the case of students whose parents are bilingual but opt to speak English at home anyway), given the few hours I have to present them with Spanish each day.

2. What have you found most rewarding? What has been the biggest achievement for MBA so far? 

My students.  When I look at them and give them a two or three part command and they respond with the right actions- that is when I know they're getting it.  In the classroom, it often happens that a teacher is speaking to one student on one end of the room, and then you hear echoes from the other side of the room as other students repeat what they just heard- we just have to look at each other and laugh.  It's such an "Aha" moment.  I especially love when a student I know has no Spanish background looks at a classmate and says, "Eso no se hace.!"   There are just so many rewarding moments!

3.  What makes MBA unique?  Our Spanish culture in the classrooms.  The students live and work in a fully bilingual environment

4.  What are some of the details parents should know? At MBA, classes are taught in a fully bilingual format, but also employing the philosophy of Maria Montessori.  We are located in East Orlando, Florida and teach from ages 2 (pre-school) to 3rd Grade. 

5.   Do all or most of your students come from bilingual homes? Does your method or approach differ when students have no background in the second language? 
Our students are so diverse- they come from so many different backgrounds  We are a true melting pot here- so no, not all students are bilingual English/Spanish. Our method does not differ- we approach all students using the same curriculum and methods regardless of whether they are familiar with Spanish or not.

6. What advice do you have for parents- what can they do at home, to support the bilingual or foreign language education their children are receiving at school? 
 My advice is to listen to Spanish music and Spanish tv channels.  Especially when you don't have the support for the language at home.  Use visual and auditory resources to help you out.  If you are a Spanish speaking parent, then speak Spanish with your child.  Reading Spanish children's books to them or buying Spanish children's books with an audio or CD component (for those that don't speak the language themselves).  

 

7. How can parents find you? You can find MBA online at www.MontessoriBilingualAcademy.org  to find out basic information about our school and our contact information.  Call us anytime to schedule a visit or parent conference so we can discuss if our program will meet your child's needs.  (*Please note: visits cannot be arranged during school hours as this would be disruptive to students)

Thank you to Lucelis for these helpful insights!  To our readers, I can't wait to hear your comments and feedback.  Do you know of other schools which should be featured?  Please send your comments and suggestions so I can follow up, and share the wealth with all of our parents!  

Enough with the chit-chat, let's start talking!

Consuelo Bova, 

CEO of SmartMouthLearning.com