#FicaEspanhol (completo)

Summary

This transcript outlines the history and challenges of Spanish language education in Brazilian schools. It traces the inclusion of Spanish in the official curriculum in 1942, its limited presence compared to other languages, and the impact of various educational reforms. Key moments include the implementation of the Law 11.161 in 2005, which made Spanish mandatory in high schools, and the more recent changes in 2017 that shifted the focus to English. The transcript discusses the ongoing efforts to reinstate Spanish and protect the rights of teachers and students, advocating for a pluralistic approach to foreign language education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Spanish was officially included in the Brazilian school curriculum in 1942, after a reform led by Education Minister Gustavo Capanema.
• 😀 Before the official inclusion, the only significant attempt to incorporate Spanish was in 1919 with a competition for a Spanish teaching position at Pedro II School in Rio de Janeiro.
• 😀 The 1942 reform made several languages part of the mandatory curriculum, including Latin, Greek, French, English, and Spanish, but Spanish was at a disadvantage compared to others.
• 😀 The curriculum structure of that time involved two cycles: the first cycle (4 years) included Latin, French, and English, while the second cycle (3 years) included Latin, Greek, French, English, and Spanish, with Greek being optional.
• 😀 The first major shift occurred with the 1961 Law of Guidelines and Bases (LDB), which made foreign languages elective and no longer mandatory, with each state deciding which languages to offer.
• 😀 The 1961 LDB removed Latin and Greek from the mandatory curriculum and limited foreign languages, particularly French and Spanish, in secondary schools.
• 😀 In 1971, another LDB further emphasized that foreign languages should be elective, with English becoming the dominant choice.
• 😀 The 1996 LDB reintroduced mandatory foreign language education in primary schools (from the 5th grade) and for secondary education, giving schools the flexibility to offer a language chosen by the community.
• 😀 In 2005, Law 11.161, known as the Spanish Law, made Spanish mandatory in high schools, but students could choose to opt out, marking the first time Spanish was truly offered widely in schools.
• 😀 Recent reforms in 2016-2017 reversed many of these advances, making English the only compulsory foreign language, thus sidelining Spanish and other languages from the curriculum.
• 😀 The current struggle in Rio Grande do Sul is for the return of mandatory Spanish in schools, respecting students' right to choose their foreign language, and supporting the teachers who may lose their jobs due to these changes.

Q & A

Why was the teaching of Spanish officially included in Brazilian schools?

The teaching of Spanish was officially included in Brazilian schools in 1942, following a reform of secondary education proposed by Minister Gustavo Capanema. This reform was part of a broader update to the curriculum, which also included Latin, Greek, French, and English, with Greek being the only optional language.

What languages were part of the curriculum in Brazilian schools after the 1942 reform?

After the 1942 reform, the languages included in the curriculum were Latin, Greek, French, English, and Spanish. Among them, Greek was the only optional language, while the study of the others was mandatory.

How did the curriculum structure differ between the first and second cycles in Brazilian secondary education?

In the first cycle (the 'ginásio'), students studied four years of Latin, four years of French, and three years of English. In the second cycle, students could choose between the 'classical' or 'scientific' course. The classical course involved three years of Latin, three years of Greek, two years of French, two years of English, and two years of Spanish, while the scientific course focused on French, English, and one year of Spanish.

How did the introduction of the first Law of Guidelines and Bases (LDB) in 1961 impact language education in Brazil?

The 1961 LDB significantly changed language education in Brazil by making both classical and modern foreign languages optional. Schools no longer had to teach Latin, Greek, or modern languages as part of the mandatory curriculum, and the selection of languages to be taught was delegated to state education councils.

What change did the 1971 LDB bring regarding language education?

The 1971 LDB reintroduced the mandatory teaching of foreign languages in schools but did not significantly increase their availability. English remained the most commonly taught language, reflecting the growing importance of the United States in global affairs and education.

How did the 1996 LDB affect the teaching of foreign languages in Brazil?

The 1996 LDB brought a significant shift by making the teaching of at least one foreign language mandatory from the 5th grade of elementary school. It also allowed schools to choose the foreign language based on regional needs and interests. This reform aimed to provide more flexibility and cater to regional differences.

What was the purpose of the 2005 Law 11.161, also known as the 'Spanish Law'?

Law 11.161, passed in 2005, made the offering of Spanish mandatory in Brazilian high schools, though students could still opt out of taking the language. The law aimed to promote Spanish as a part of Brazil's integration into Latin America through the Mercosur educational agreement.

What challenges arose following the introduction of Law 11.161 in 2005?

Following Law 11.161, while Spanish became more widely offered in schools, there was resistance from schools accustomed to focusing on English. This law led to an increase in the need for qualified Spanish teachers, with new job opportunities emerging in both public and private schools.

What impact did the 2016 education reform have on the teaching of foreign languages in Brazil?

The 2016 education reform, which became Law 13,415 in 2017, limited the teaching of foreign languages in Brazilian schools by making English the only mandatory foreign language. Spanish and other languages became optional, and the reform revoked the 2005 law that had made Spanish mandatory in high schools.

What is the current situation regarding the teaching of foreign languages in Brazil, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul?

Currently, in Rio Grande do Sul, there is an ongoing fight to reinstate Spanish as a mandatory foreign language in schools. The push is for students to have the right to choose their foreign language of study, ensuring a plural education that respects regional and cultural needs, and supporting the job security of Spanish teachers.