Language is an immense task to learn. Under normal circumstances, to understand a language and the culture that envelopes it, students are often exposed to different foods, dressing, dialects, and more. Language learning is among the most interactive of classes at Newfield. As can be expected, the pandemic has altered the way that language is taught. We had an interview with Ms. McCallum, Newfield High School’s AP Spanish teacher, to discuss how the pandemic has impacted her teaching.

What difficulties or roadblocks do you face with daily lessons? "There have been two main obstacles that the students and I face on a daily basis. The first is technical glitches or inexperience. The second is interpersonal speaking practice. It has been a challenge to find a method that bridges both the hybrid learning experience and the technological learning curve. It has taken the first quarter and a half to finally find a way to create a way for a paired and small group break-out sessions. I am so grateful to those students who are open to randomized grouping. It is much more efficient to use the random group feature than it is to set up groups from scratch with each new learning session. In time, I hope to discover better ways to design groups that better suit the particular learning goals of each lesson."

What are some examples of lessons you would have been able to do before (pre-COVID), that you are unable to do now? "An example of a lesson that appeals to the kinesthetic learner is the Gallery Walk or Stations type activities. They provide a chance to stand up, stretch, walk, and work in close proximity to others. These types of activities can be recreated in some fashion, but without the physical benefits."

How has technology been beneficial or hurtful? "Technology has been incredible for providing a world of new platforms, websites, and activities that provide meaningful instruction, practice, review, and collaboration tools. At times I feel like a kid in a candy store. I have so many choices and each new discovery is better than the last. The downside to that is that my bookmarks pages are overrun with websites to explore. One of my tasks is to make some sense of the assortment and begin organizing it. Although I am concerned with the amount of time students have to spend viewing a screen, I am pleased to see more students on task than previously, especially those who attend school in person. Students tell me, however, that they are overrun with assignments and that some assignments take more time than the teacher realizes. For that reason, I am working with flexible due dates until I am more experienced with each new lesson and with how long it takes to complete it thoroughly."

How have both you and other teachers in the language department been adapting to hybrid learning? Any tools you would recommend to other language teachers? "I am impressed with my World Language colleagues. We have not stopped engaging with our students and with the new technology since March. We are determined to make the best of the situation and most importantly to connect with our students and to help them through this unprecedented experience. The truth is, our students are our inspiration and they help us each and every day. I am not alone when I say that I have been saved by many students on many occasions this year. I am so grateful for the patience and generosity that my students have shown me."

Is it much more difficult to instruct students about the culture behind the language you teach now? "Considering that much of the culture that we teach students has traditionally been taught through websites, video clips, audio, readings or by sharing personal stories, it hasn’t been too difficult to present cultural information in an engaging way. One way that has been put on the back burner for now (pun intended), is trying new food. There hasn’t been a safe way to share food. I really look forward to a time when sampling a cultural dish is possible once again in the World Language classroom. In the meantime, students are encouraged to enhance their knowledge of the language they study by becoming a connoisseur of the cuisine in their free time."

What advice would you give students trying to learn languages in these times? Any resources you would recommend to them? Where do I begin? "Considering the best way to acquire a language is to use it in a real-world setting, I would recommend creating opportunities in your life to engage with speakers of the language. If you do not have a friend who speaks the language or a place where you safely interact with speakers of the language, then you can consider Skype tutoring. You can also choose from a multitude of online language courses and even virtual language camps and immersion experiences. The first step, of course, is committing to increasing your proficiency level and by planning the smaller steps necessary toward achieving your goal."

Living during a pandemic certainly reminds us of the need for language to bridge the gaps between us. 

Update: This article was originally published in the Winter 2020-21 Edition of "The Quadrangle". Since this publication, Ms. McCallum has been engaging her students in a cultural exchange program with a school in Peru.