We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year. Please visit our site in October 2010 to view opportunities for the 2011-2012 school year. If you would like to be informed when we begin accepting applications again, please click here.

The Need for Spanish Teachers in PGCPS

Prince George's County Public Schools needs Spanish teachers who can use their content knowledge to impact student achievement.

Consider these facts:

• In 2008, over 13,000 Prince George’s County Public School students were classified as English Language Learners.
• In 2007, more than 34 million United States citizens spoke Spanish as their primary language. In Prince George’s County, over 130,000 residents reported that Spanish was the primary language spoken in their homes.
• In order to earn a Maryland High School Diploma, students must take at least 2 courses in a foreign language or complete a state-approved career and technology program.

Our schools need teachers who will use their language skills to impact students' achievement and choices. As Spanish becomes more prevalent across Maryland and the nation, we need to make sure that our students can navigate this ever changing landscape. Fellows who teach Spanish have the opportunity to help their students acquire a second language, preparing their students for greater success in both continued education and the adult workforce.

What areas do Spanish Fellows teach?

Individuals who teach Spanish through the Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows program teach in middle and high school classes across grades 7 through 12. Typically, Fellows teach beginning or intermediate Spanish focusing on language usage and structure. At the high school level, Fellows may have the opportunity to teach classes of Native Speakers, which will delve further into the cultural aspects of Spanish and Spanish-speaking countries.

Benefits of Teaching Spanish

Spanish is the second most widely spoken primary language by Prince George’s County students and their families.

Students who study a second language also gain skills that translate to academic success in other subject areas. Several studies have shown that students who learn a second language score better on standardized exams across subject areas – in Math, Reading, and Science. Students become aware of the interconnectedness of all people and are motivated to learn more about the history, geography, and culture of the people whose language they are studying. Fellows teaching Spanish at the secondary level have the opportunity to inspire students to gain proficiency in a foreign language and to achieve success across all academic areas.

To connect with a Spanish teacher or Fellow in Prince George’s County Public Schools, send an email with your name, phone number, and question to info@pgcteachingfellows.org.

(1) Armstrong, P. W., & Rogers, J. D. (1997). Basic skills revisited: The effects of foreign language instruction on reading, math, and language arts. Learning Languages, 2(3), 20-31.