Spanish 1G and 2G FAQ

Yes, generally once a year for both Spanish 1G and 2G. 

Spanish 1G is much slower paced than Spanish 163. There is much more repetition of themes and language functions. In Spanish 1G, the majority (+60%) of students have IEPs, almost the remainder have a 504 plan. During the 2020-21 school year, +80% students have an IEP. This number varies year to year. 
 

In Spanish 2G, it is slower paced than regular. Much more review and reminders of study strategies, especially for students who have challenges with executive functioning. Both Spanish 1G and 2G have aids in the classroom. 

Depends on the school year. In 2020-21, there were 2 sections of 1G with over 80% of the students having an IEP. The 2021-22 school year only 60% have IEPs with the remainder having a 504 plan. For Spanish 2G in years’ past there have been some classes with 70% of the students having an IEP while other years the number can be on the lower end at 50%. The remaining students usually will have a 504 plan. 
 

Consistent with the best practice as articulated by the American Council for Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL), our goal is 90% target language usage. We scaffold in English more than regular level or honors level classes in Spanish 1G and 2G and we will use more non-verbal cues. Additionally, both classes are smaller than the regular level sections and both classes have an aid to help students manage the Spanish being used in the class. 

Any transfer mid-year or over the summer must be consistent with GBN policy and practice. Assuming a change in track is made consistent with those guidelines, transferring can have its challenges. While the workload is similar between Spanish 1G and Spanish 163, the expectations are higher. For example, there is not an aid in Spanish 163 and there is an understanding that students will be held more accountable for their Spanish language output. General challenges can center around grades as well. While this varies from student to student, some students may experience 10% drop in the grade when transfering up. Furthermore, the difference in rigour of the course between Spanish 1G and Spanish 163 grow when making the change from Spanish 2G to Spanish 263.

Lastly, Spanish 1G has five thematic-based units and Spanish 163 has six thematic-based units. If a student is transferring mid-semester, he/she must be mindful that there will be topics studied in Spanish 163 that he/she may have missed. If transferring from Spanish 163 to Spanish 1G mid-semester, there may be topics that seem to be repetitive. 

Spanish 2G has five thematic-based units each year while Spanish 263 has six. Therefore, the same challenges as above exist, but the adjustment a student would need to make in level 2 is more exaggerated. 
 

Like all placements, this is handled on a student-by-student basis. Historically, however, Spanish G classes, especially at levels 1 and 2 have a higher rate of students with IEPs or 504 plans. Spanish G is not for students who “don’t like Spanish”; rather, it is for students who truly benefit from the smaller class sizes and individual attention and support. 
 

All Spanish 1G classes have an aid. Usually all Spanish 2G classes have an aid unless it conflicts with a Spanish 1G class. 

In Spanish 1G students will be exposed to authentic Spanish language resources via YouTube, articles, weather reports, and other audio recordings. In addition, there is a supersite for Spanish 1G students from Vistas Higher Learning called Senderos.

In Spanish 2G, authentic resources include: short videos, songs, (“cortometrajes”),blogs, television newscasts, “top 10” lists  linked to the thematic unit, articles, infographics, pictures, photos, advertisements, etc.
 

All students in Spanish 4G are encouraged to register for the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy in March just as students in Spanish 4 regular and Spanish 4 honors are. Since the spring of 2020, 21 students in Spanish 4G completed the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy exam and 11 (over half) earned the Commendation Towards the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy.