Knightly News

Gathered on a colorful rug in an early childhood classroom, little Knights practice words like “hola,” “aquí,” and “adios.” Señorita Segovia and her team of puppets introduce new words and encourage the students to repeat them. Students sing and move about, and the lesson is interactive and engaging.

Planting the Seeds of Language Development

At Episcopal, world language lessons begin in PreK-3, with the youngest Knights and PreK-4 students participating in French and Spanish lessons three times a week. Over the course of a school year, early childhood students spend one semester learning Spanish and one semester learning French.

This semester, PreK-3 students and Lindsay Smith’s PreK-4 class are learning Spanish with Miriam Segovia. For 23 years, Señorita Segovia has shared her native language with Episcopal’s Lower School students. A teacher for 28 years, she grew up in Peru before relocating to the United States to teach American students Spanish. Watching her interact with the little Knights, it is clear she enjoys being a teacher. She is patient, warm and excited to help young students use Spanish vocabulary and learn more about her vibrant culture. “I just love to teach younger students,” she says. “Every teacher has a calling to teach one level, and this is mine. I’m planting seeds. Seeds of interest, curiosity, respect for language, respect for other cultures.” 

Spanish lessons begin very simply in PreK-3, with students initially learning greetings and feelings. Meaningful learning occurs, and by the end of the semester, the little Knights can count and identify colors, zoo animals and body parts in the second language. As students progress in grades, the lessons become more complex. By kindergarten, students speak, read and write in Spanish. Each year, there is consistent growth, and by fifth grade, Señorita Segovia says students can write short paragraphs in the new language. “Continuity is the best thing for teaching language,” she says. “We build it year by year.” Señorita Segovia says learning a language also requires modeling and repetition, which is something she and her team of puppets do well for young learners.

Preparing Globally Minded Citizens

At Episcopal, part of preparing students for the future includes an emphasis on preparing them to be globally minded citizens. Through the World Language Department, students in all divisions study French or Spanish, with courses eventually progressing beyond the AP level. Intentional in-country excursions, exchange programs and international trips are also offered to enhance the student educational experience. For example, Sarah Pulliam’s Marine Biology students studied at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab on the Alabama coast. Last school year, Tropical Ecology students visited Costa Rica to see firsthand what they previously learned in class. In addition, school programs, like LAUNCH, may also allow students to explore other cultures. Recently, senior Kathy Hu highlighted the importance of language, and classmate Emma Engstrom shared her thoughts on the importance of travel.

For the younger Knights, Señorita Segovia and Lower School recognize holidays and observances, like Hispanic Heritage Month, by helping students learn more about other cultures. Señorita Segovia’s Spanish students enjoyed hot chocolate when they returned from the Christmas break as she taught them about the Spanish tradition of Three Kings Day. Señorita Segovia says learning languages and understanding other cultures are important for today’s students. “In Louisiana, we have a lot of people who speak Spanish now,” she says. “You have to know this to communicate with them.”

With decades of experience and a passion for Spanish culture, Señorita Segovia makes learning a new language fun. She creates songs to help students remember words and is excited when students tell her they can’t get the song out of their heads. “When they are singing, they remember better,” says Señorita Segovia with a smile. With a laugh, she says students quickly remind her if she forgets a tune or misses a beat. “They have a great memory,” she says. Openness to new material and learning makes early childhood a great time to begin a new language. “It’s better if you learn at a younger age,” says Señorita Segovia. After only a few lessons, it is clear that the students are already learning and developing in this second language. No doubt, Señorita Segovia will prepare them well for more in-depth Middle and Upper School learning and the world that awaits them.

Learn more about Episcopal's early childhood program here.

Contact Lower School Admission Coordinator Andrea Vidrine '94 for admission and tuition assistance information at [email protected] or 755-2713.

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