EN ESPAÑOL: Empoderar el Patrimonio
"Imagine what it is like for a parent to sit in a room, reading to a child. Yes, it sets the atmosphere for visualization, imagination, dialogue and vocabulary development.
Now, imagine what it is like for a parent to sit on the sofa, next to the child, with their arms wrapped around the child’s shoulders as they read or view the illustrations together. That is what the arts and culture do for the student. It envelops them in love, human connection, security and warmth in the learning process. Those gifts cannot be taken away and cannot be taught through a computer screen or a lecture hall. The arts and culture give us emotional strength of our humanity.
-Maestra S. Quintanilla, Founder and Director of El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil
First-language literacy enrichment with a focus on cultural arts is taking root for immigrant and Spanish-speaking individuals in Genesee County. The Heritage Language Literacy Project, a program through El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil, fosters literacy and communication across generations.
"Research shows that literacy in the first language is crucial for success in the second language (in this case, English)," says founder and director Maestra S. Quintanilla. "With a significant increase in the Hispanic/Latino population, this program seeks to equip the youth in our communities with the tools they need to be successful."
In 2023, the Flint Kids Fund allocated $50,000 to El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil for the quality reading program for Spanish heritage learners.
Participants from kindergarteners to post-secondary students gather weekly at Richfield Public School Academy and the Latinx Tech Center, previously at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Educational Center in Flint. Here, under the guidance of certified instructors, they dive into explicit Spanish literacy instruction, supplemented by homework tutoring and engaging literacy activities. Additionally, adult learners benefit from special sessions on finance, banking, real estate, and more.
Passionate teachers implement innovative teaching strategies to promote Spanish literacy development and engage in ongoing professional development. Beyond the classroom, the program ensures accessibility for all students by funding meals and transportation.
El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil fuses the arts into their literacy curriculum including art, music, dance, reading, and writing, sparking a greater interest in Hispanic culture among students.
“By integrating cultural arts into the literacy program, our students fully submerge into the roots of what makes up our Hispanic culture,” Maestras Rosanna Calma and Angela Carrier agreed. “By creating such a space for learning our language, the emotional impact is undeniable. It feels like being back home.”
Cultural connections motivate students
A six-year-old Peruvian student, initially reluctant to speak Spanish with his father, experienced a remarkable transformation after just a few classes with El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil. He now proudly participates in reading and speaking Spanish, enhancing their family communication and connection.
“A story like his highlights the importance of becoming proficient in one’s mother tongue in terms of one’s sense of identity and confidence. While he may have been receiving implicit messages that Spanish wasn’t worth speaking, he now has a stronger connection to his culture and has demonstrated personal empowerment,” said Quintanilla.
