InterAmerican Academy
Guayaquil - Ecuador
SPANISH LANGUAGE
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
At InterAmerican Academy (IAA) we believe that language learning helps our students develop more
flexible minds and acquire a multicultural perspective, and that students must gain an understanding
and respect for cultural diversity in order to become contributing citizens in a global society.
We encourage students to develop an appreciation of different cultures within the Spanish-speaking
world and also have a comparatively deeper understanding of Ecuador as the country in which they live.
We believe that literary analysis and exposure to a wide variety of texts, authors, and genres aid
students in their development of linguistic proficiency and gives them an appreciation for the literature
of the Spanish-speaking world.
The Spanish Language Arts curriculum is in the process of aligning itself to the Common Core Standards
for English (USA) and has already incorporated the new learning standards and educational objectives in
the area of Language and Literature from the Ministry of Education of Ecuador.
For Spanish as a foreign language we believe that language acquisition occurs gradually over the course
of several years, and that language learners move through specific developmental stages, developing at
each individual’s unique pace. From that understanding, we believe that differentiated instructional
approaches are most effective in language classes. This approach to the study of language also provides
each student with a powerful instrument that allows the youngster to effectively transmit individual
ideas, feelings and emotions through the spoken and written form.
Teachers of Spanish at IAA draw upon the student’s prior knowledge as a foundation from which to
expand learning and strengthen language skills. The Spanish area at IAA adheres to a curriculum from
which a plan of action for teaching is always linked to a set of standards along with a set of concrete
criteria for student assessment.
Revised and adopted, November 15, 2013.
Spanish and SFL
Curriculum Council Committee.
Puerto Azul, Km 10 vía a la costa
Apartado Postal 0906-209U
Guayaquil-Ecuador
PBX 5934-371-3360
Fax 5934-371-3389
www.interamerican.edu.ec
U. S. Mailing Address
Inter-American Academy
GYE 8852
P.O. Box 025562
Miami, FL 33102