william aberhart high school
Home to Canada's First International Spanish Academy
(story from CBE Nov 10/09) Es un honor para (it’s an honour for) the Calgary Board of Education to be the first school board in Canada to open a high school level International Spanish Academy. Further, William Aberhart High School has earned the distinction of becoming the first high school in the country to offer both this internationally recognized Spanish Bilingual program and the French Immersion program; making it a tri-lingual high school. ¡Lo cual es muy impresionante!
A group of 13 Spanish bilingual students, who began their studies in 2001, live the excitement and the challenge of being pioneers in alternative language studies in Canada. As they enter high school they continue to demonstrate perseverance and commitment to both learning the Spanish language and understanding Spanish cultures.
To celebrate this historic event, Cervantes Institute treated students from Aberhart and Senator Pat Burns School to an inspiring Spanish cultural experience, with famed flamenco guitarist, Pedro Navarro in October. A classical guitar genius, Navarro wowed guests with several traditional Spanish flamenco songs. Events such as these are part of the authentic experiences the Calgary Board of Education offers its language students through collaborative relationships with organizations such as Cervantes Institute.
The International Spanish Academy project is a bilingual Spanish/English education model that the Spanish Ministry of Education promotes in collaboration with North American educational authorities. The program strives to offer the highest quality of Spanish language instruction based on the goals and attributes set forth by the Ministry of Spain and Alberta Education. A teacher exchange program brings teachers directly from Spain to CBE classrooms, further adding to the immersion experience and authenticity of the program. The CBE and the Spanish Ministry continue to collaborate and seek innovate methods to further enrich the experience of each child.
In the CBE, the program has grown from 150 students in 2001, to over 1,800 students in 2009. The seven International Spanish Academies; four elementary, two middle schools and one high school, share a deep commitment to the Spanish language and culture, to developing global citizenship, and to internationalizing opportunities for students. With strong parent support, highly competent and dedicated teachers, and a steadily growing number of passionate students, the Academies are thriving in Calgary, says Elaine Schmidt, Senior Education Specialist in charge of International Languages with the CBE.
Student Taylor W. hopes to be fluent in Spanish by the time graduation rolls around and hopes that the Spanish language program will provide a leg up when it comes to post secondary options.
“Well, I would be able to travel in the future and have better opportunities to get jobs. I hope to be considered for more universities or jobs because of my Spanish. I like learning it because we have a small class and it is interesting.” Learning a second language teaches responsible citizenship and develops enhanced feelings of pride and self-esteem. It broadens students' cultural lives through access to literature, art, music and theatre in another language. It also promotes exploration, understanding and appreciation of the cultures of the world and contributes to multilingualism and multiculturalism.
Exposure at an early age is an important factor in helping students easily acquire a second or third language. The bilingual programs are structured so that students learn in both English and a second language for an equal amount of time. Learning a second language takes time and practice and in CBE schools students are in the best environment for that development.
Calgary Board of Education's Spanish bilingual program