Case Study

Partnership with Editorial Edinumen to Support Spanish Language Learning in Florida

Introduction and Overview

¡Hola, Mundo!, is a two-level foundational Spanish course for children in grades 1-2. It has a balance of skills in conversation, vocabulary, grammar, and reading.

The Hola Mundo Series is designed to familiarize students with little to no prior language experience and guide them through the steps to become speakers of Spanish. Through songs, games, interactive activities, and illustrated stories, the students are motivated to achieve the necessary skills they need to learn Spanish.

The Demand

With the success of our Right series, we began receiving requests to transfer and adapt the same skills and methodology into a Spanish-language program.
Distributors highlighted a clear market need both within the Latino demographic in the United States and in foreign language programs worldwide.
They wanted the Right program translated into Spanish, with objectives aligned to EFL standards. They also asked for a series that could be taught in less than five
hours per week while still giving learners the skills to build vocabulary and engage in simple question-and-answer conversations.

Challenges

The challenge for the Hola Mundo series was how to meet the needs of this sector; we had first to outline the global markets and determine their specific needs. We needed to look at countries’ language programs, and study their SFL outcomes, then transfer and translate our Right books to meet these needs. We worked closely with Subject Matter Experts to make sure that the translations were accurate and practical.

The Approach

The approach for ¡Hola, Mundo! was the same as for the Right series. We needed to make sure that the translated books are aligned with foreign language outcomes and requirements. We commissioned experts to review the translations to ensure that the objectives were met with cultural and language sensitivity, as well as developmentally, socially, and age-appropriate. Units are mapped for a three to four-week time frame so that schools can pace the program according to their needs. All four skills are introduced, applied, and recycled to reinforce competencies throughout the levels. Student-centered activities are engaging and give ample opportunity for learners to ask and respond with simple sentences and conversations. The units are horizontal and not scaffolded. The teacher has the freedom to move around the book and choose the units that are the most effective and interesting for the class. The resources are engaging and fun and offer the learning a pleasurable experience. Digital resources play a big part in the series, ensuring that every learner achieves success both inside and outside of the classroom.

Results

¡Hola, Mundo!, in all of its levels, have shown real success in the global market,
specifically in the United States. The roll-out of ¡Hola, Mundo! In 2020 has proven
to be a successful venture and showing great promise around the world.