The Philosophy of the Pedagogy of the Book

Our book is built on the philosophy that language learning should be student-centered, interactive, and relevant to real-world contexts. We believe that students learn best when they’re engaged in meaningful activities that require them to use language in authentic ways.

Principles of Task-Based Language Teaching

– Task-based learning: Students complete tasks that require them to use language in context, promoting practical communication skills.

– Real-world relevance: Tasks are designed to mirror real-world situations, making language learning relevant and applicable.

– Student-centered: Students take an active role in the learning process, working collaboratively and using language to achieve goals.

Objectives

– Develop students’ language skills in Spanish, focusing on vocabulary, grammar, and communication strategies.

– Enhance students’ critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through inquiry-based learning.

– Prepare students for effective communication in Public Health contexts.

– Foster community engagement and social responsibility in Public Health initiatives.

– Develop intercultural competence in students, enabling them to work effectively with diverse populations and navigate complex cultural contexts.

– Incorporate ethics into public health practice, guiding decision-making and promoting health equity.

Modes of Communication and Language Skills

– Interpersonal communication: Students engage in conversations, role-plays, and discussions to develop their speaking and listening skills.

– Presentational communication: Students create presentations, write reports, and engage in other activities that require them to use language in a clear and concise manner.

– Interpretative communication: Students analyze and interpret texts, videos, and other media to develop their reading and listening comprehension skills.

Self-Efficacy Building

– Authentic materials: Students work with real-world texts, videos, and other materials that challenge them and promote learning.

– Scaffolded activities: Activities are designed to gradually increase in complexity, providing students with support and guidance as they build their skills.

Intercultural Competence

– Cultural awareness: Students explore the cultural nuances of Spanish-speaking communities and their relevance to Public Health.

– Social responsibility: Students consider the impact of public health issues on diverse communities and develop empathy and understanding.

– Cultural humility: Students learn to approach cultural differences with humility, recognizing the importance of lifelong learning and self-reflection.

Noticing Language Teaching for Heritage Language Learners

– Differentiated instruction: The book provides opportunities for heritage language learners to review and refine their language skills, while also challenging them to develop new ones.

– Contextualized language: Language is presented in context, allowing heritage language learners to connect new vocabulary and grammar to their existing knowledge and experiences in their own local communities.

The Content of the Book

The content of this book is designed to engage students in meaningful language learning experiences while exploring topics related to Public Health. Through multiple and diverse materials and activities, students will enhance their language skills in Spanish, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for effective communication in Public Health contexts. The materials and activities include:

– Vocabulary: Relevant vocabulary related to careers in Public Health is presented in communicative language contexts, exposing students to develop a strong foundation in the language of the field.

– Grammar activities: Grammar activities focus on continuous language development, targeting present and past tenses in Spanish, as well as commands in both colloquial/informal and formal registers.

– Information and media literacy components: Students engage in inquiry-based learning on the web, developing essential skills for evaluating online sources, identifying credible information, and effectively using digital media.

– Inquiry learning on the web: Students engage in inquiry-based learning, exploring topics related to Public Health through open-ended questions, critical thinking, and research. This approach encourages students to develop essential skills for evaluating online sources, identifying credible information, and effectively using digital media. Through this process, students learn to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and form well-supported conclusions.

– Social responsibility and ethics: The book incorporates themes of social responsibility and ethics, encouraging students to think critically about the impact of public health issues on individuals and communities, with a particular focus on Hispanic communities.