Spanish Curriculum at UPS


The Spanish curriculum at the University Primary School also works with project-based learning.

Objectives are based both on specific project goals as well as individual proficiency level of each student as outlined in American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACFTL) Proficiency Guidelines. Objectives vary for each project and language performance assessment is integrated within project units. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish. Students are assessed in five modes of language: interpretive listening, interpretive reading, presentational speaking, presentational reading, and interpersonal communication.

Curriculum Example

The following are objectives for students entering at the Novice proficiency level:

Objectives K/1 Level: At the end of the first year, students can demonstrate comprehension of authentic texts, such as short stories, and instruction for interactive games, such as “Simon says.” Students learn to recognize language specific characters and letters and write them and to answer a variety of questions about themselves and their surroundings.

Objectives 2/3 Level: At the end of the first year, students can demonstrate comprehension of authentic texts such as short stories, newspaper ads, and blogs; and recognize and write labels for everyday objects, people, and concepts. Students learn to answer and ask questions related to their daily lives, familiar topics, and new information presented in class. Students also read and write descriptions related to project topics and themes.

Objectives 4/5 Level: At the end of the first year, students can demonstrate comprehension of authentic texts such as newspaper ads, blogs, recognize and write labels for everyday objects, people, and concepts. Students learn to answer and ask questions related to their daily lives, familiar topics, and new information presented in class. Students read and write descriptions related to project topics and themes, and present new information from project themes in written and spoken language.

Sample Lesson Schedule:
Opening Group Activity (10 – 15 minutes):

  • Daily calendar
  • ¿Cómo estamos? (How are we?) Songs
  • Group Story Time
  • Presentation of weekly theme

Activity Time (25 – 30 minutes):

  • Projects based on weekly theme
  • Experiments Cultural Lessons Arts and Crafts
  • Individualized reading and writing programs based on age level and language ability of each student.


Head teachers — Christina De Angelo and Severina Cox