This year, the MVMS foreign language department is trying a new method of teaching foreign languages. It is called “Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling,” or TPRS for short. This system has been going on at MVMS for several weeks now as a try out.  

    Instead of using the old system of just learning from the textbook, students write and illustrate stories in the language they are studying and then read them orally.

    Spanish teacher Mrs. Iyer said the new system has been increasing students’ grades because they have been speaking more Spanish, plus the students are using more advanced language structure. 

    At Tamalpais High School, teachers have been using the new system for many years now.  The middle school foreign language department wants students to get used to the same system by the time they go to high school. 

    Since this program has been underway for just a few weeks, teachers have not decided whether or not it is superior in educating students in a foreign language.

    But eighth-grader Anna  said TPRS is better than the old system because students actually get to act it out which helps them understand the language even better.