Language Lunch
Our foreign language faculty prepared a multi-cultural luncheon for all to enjoy. With Spanish, German, and French selections, it was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate diversity through food.
Our foreign language faculty prepared a multi-cultural luncheon for all to enjoy. With Spanish, German, and French selections, it was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate diversity through food.
Our “Latin Voices in the Valley” Advanced Spanish class welcomed local musician, Vladimir Espinosa, for a private visit. Vladimir is a multi-talented artist hailing from Havana, Cuba, who now resides in the Roanoke area. With expertise in music, acting, and choreography, he possesses well-rounded musical performance skills. In addition to demonstrating his percussion instruments, Vladimir also provided a detailed explanation of the history of afro-cuban music, entirely in Spanish. He performed a beautiful blend of music and singing, showcasing his remarkable talent. Our students were fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with Vladimir on such an intimate and educational level.
Vladimir Espinosa is a musician, actor, and choreographer born in Havana, Cuba. He graduated from the ENA (National Arts School in Cuba) in 1985. He also studied with the National Folkloric of Cuba with Regino Jimenes and Pelladito: both having taught at ENA. After he graduated he became a professor and instructor in the school of the arts and the house of the culture in Havana, Cuba. Then he started a professional career for different companies as an actor, dancer, and choreographer the companies he worked with included: Teatro Caribeno (Cuba), Teatro Orile (Cuba), Compania National De Danza (Ecuador), and Rojo Oscuro (Ecuador). In 1996, Vladimir was the Artistic Director and Choreographer for the election ceremonies of Miss Ecuador. He has been a teacher, instructor, and musician accompanist for the American Dance festival (Duram, North Carolina) since 2005. He propagandized a movie (El Accidente De La Libertad) and a co-production with Germany and Venezuela. Vladimir was part of many different groups and bands like Savuka Son, Havana Express, Coral y Esmeralda, Los Gatos, Las Manos Del Sol, Solazo, Western Mambo, Lenny Marcus Jazz Trio, Jazz Trio Michel and Vladimir, Latin Clave, and many others. He was an instructor of Latin Percussion, Afro-Cuban Dance, and Musician accompanist in residence at Hollins University. His specialties include Latin and afro-Cuban music, contemporary Latin and Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance, and traditional African Diaspora rhythms. Since 2012 he has been performing with bands like El Coco, JStop Latin Jazz and Music Road Co. and the Reunion with his group Solazo. Vladimir has always been an active participant of music events in the community like Local Colors, the Latino Festival in Roanoke, Floyd Fest and Stepping Out in Blacksburg Virginia. He is currently teaching salsa classes with Focused Radio and at Roanoke Ballet theater teaching Afro Cuban Rumba, Salsa and Latin styles.
To learn more about Vladimir and his work, visit these links:
https://www.facebook.com/vladimir.espinosa.90/
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/vladimir-espinosa/630243762
https://open.spotify.com/artist/52VbIeDgk5MSpsSk378ap7
It’s always heartwarming to see how education brings people from different parts of the world together. In February 2018, CHS had the pleasure of hosting a group of French exchange students from the Saint Exupéry High School in Fameck. Now, the connection between the two schools is being rekindled as our CHS French students have started emailing with the students at Saint Exupéry.
Students constructed soda-straw rockets following instructions written solely in Spanish from the NASA Jet Propulsion laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. The best rockets were launched over 30 feet. The top 4 creators (in order) were Ronan, Wilbur, Sam, and Desmond.
Learning a foreign language can be a challenging but rewarding experience, and reading books can be an effective way to improve language skills. Our students read a variety of books in Spanish to help improve their vocabulary and grammar, but this also helps with developing a better sense of the language’s structure and syntax, making it easier for them to write and speak in Spanish.
By practicing math in Spanish while playing board games, students were able to practice their target language skills in context, improving their vocabulary and comprehension. The social nature of board games also encouraged collaboration and communication, further enhancing their language learning experience.
CHS Spanish and French students participated in the Global Y-C.R.E.D. 2023 language conference. This conference provided students with valuable information on how to leverage their bilingualism in future career opportunities. With the global economy becoming increasingly interconnected, employers are seeking individuals with language skills to help them navigate the complexities of international business. The Y-C.R.E.D. conference provided students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
This conference also provided an excellent opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the languages they are studying and to gain valuable insights into the cultures associated with those languages. Through interactions with native speakers, students were able to improve their pronunciation and grammar, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the nuances of the language.
Global Y-C.R.E.D. 2023 is hosted by the Global Seal of Biliteracy and aims to provide students with connections to native speakers, strategies to enhance their language skills, and insights into leveraging their bilingualism for future opportunities.
The Day of the Dead, or “Dia de los Muertos” in Spanish, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other parts of the world. It is a time for remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed away. One traditional way of celebrating is through colorful decorations and artwork, such as these Dia de los Muertos pages colored by the Spanish class.
In conjunction with “Bananas”, a book about the conflicts and environmental issues of Banana Plantations in Costa Rica in the 1970s and 1980s, Spanish III/IV students took some time to learn about mangos and aguacates. They are germinating and planting the seeds and will journal in Spanish about their progress and process.
Eleven students and two teachers traveled to France for a two week adventure which included an exchange with Lycée Privé Charles Péguy in Gorges, France. Click the button below to learn all about the areas they explored on their trip, including their time in Paris.