Anne Silva
So Español Santillana has this new thing. It’s called Español Santillana PLUS, and you guys! This is HUGE. In the interest of full disclosure, I am writing this blog post on the Plaza Santillana website, but for real, you have to check this out.
There are three parts to it: the Program Accreditation, Student Certification, and Teacher Study Abroad Scholarships. That’s right: Teacher. Study. Abroad.
I’ll let that sink in.
Here are the details:
1. Program Accreditation
We know that every publisher says that their instructional program is the best. Of course they do. But do you ever wonder if anyone else takes an objective look at these things?
Well, someone did. And not just any someone: only THE Universidad de Salamanca, world-renowned institution of higher learning, especially in the learning and teaching of the Spanish language! That one! This incredibly prestigious university went through the Español Santillana program with a fine-toothed comb and has put their seal of approval on it as a rigorous, authentic Spanish program that employs sound pedagogical methods in teaching Spanish as a World Language. This is like Betty Crocker herself endorsing your cake recipe, or Picasso putting a gold star on your painting. There is no higher praise than praise from the leaders in your own field!
2. Student Certification
Students today are in a very competitive world. We try the best we can to help them prepare to compete for recognition when applying for college entrance or applying for a job. And even more than that, we try to help them recognize their achievements. In a generation that sometimes gets a trophy just for getting out of bed, actually persevering through challenges—especially tough academic ones—is a real triumph. So considering their endorsement of the Español Santillana program, the Universidad de Salamanca is going to grant a certificate of achievement to any student who gets a B or higher in level 2 or 4 of the Español Santillana program. They consider the level of achievement necessary to excel in a Spanish class that uses this solid program, and the high standards of their teachers. There’s no other fine print here, guys: if a kid gets a good grade in your class, you send her name in and she gets a certificate from that same prestigious Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.
Imagine what this boost could do for those kids who are a little less confident in their Spanish abilities. And if a student had one or both of these certificates to add to his list of accolades for college applications… the possibilities are endless.
3. Teacher Study Abroad Scholarships
The Universidad de Salamanca is world-renowned for its language programs, perhaps to the same degree that the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares is famous for its programs in Education. So where better for a Spanish Teacher to get professional development than a prestigious Education program IN SPAIN?!?! And because of their partnership with Santillana USA, there are even scholarships to help defray the cost. That’s right! SCHOLARSHIPS. To SPAIN. Where they have the BEST BREAD IN THE WORLD. And the WINE. And the PAELLA. And of course, some of the most amazing professional development sessions that side of the Atlantic. Plus, being immersed in the language and culture is just the thing to put a spark in your summer and get you fired up for the next school year, isn’t it?
And here’s the part they asked me to put in: If all this sounds exciting to you, contact your local Santillana USA rep today to learn more!
