What exactly is “Survivor”?

• “Survivor” is a “game” that is used to assist in facilitating a simulated immersion

atmosphere.

• Students compete in the “game” by exclusively speaking the target language.

• Students receive classroom perks and rewards for participation in the “game”.

Examples of actual game boards used in classrooms.

Game boards are simply student names displayed in the classroom. They can be grouped

by class or grouped in “tribes” for competitions.

Why should I use “Survivor”?

• Maximize time students spend negotiating meaning!

• Make students comfortable hearing and using L2!

• Spend more time using higher level thinking and problem solving skills!

• Increase rigor and student achievement!• Create a fun and enjoyable classroom

atmosphere!

Rules and Procedures for Implementing “Survivor”:

1. What students need to do:• Do not under any circumstance, use English while in the

classroom (even before or after the bell). Students may ask to speak English by using the target language, but the teacher must agree to allow the student before he or she speak English.

• Students will be given one warning per week, after the warning they will be eliminated from the game for speaking anything other than the target language.

• Students may not under any circumstance use what is considered “Spanglish” (or its equivalent) if it is not in the target language he or she will be eliminated.

• Students must keep their participation grade at a passing level. Anything below a passing level is forfeiting participation in the game which is subject for elimination.

2. What perks and rewards the students will receive:

• I will consider any grade that they have for a one letter grade upgrade at the end of the nine weeks. (homework and participation grades must be at an A for an upgrade)

• Any student can eliminate any two questions off any test while they are still in the game, even the final exam.

• Students will be eligible to play in competitions in tribes. The points earned in these competitions can be used for classroom passes. (homework pass, quiz pass, etc…)

• Most importantly, if students quit relying on translation to learn the target language, they will learn the target language!

3. What happens to students if they are eliminated from Survivor:

• Class goes on as normal and students are required to participate and or complete assignments as usual.

• Eliminated students will not get to take two questions off of the exams.

• Eliminated students will not be eligible for certain tribal competitions. (at the instructors discretion)

• Eliminated students will not be eligible to use points earned from the competitions to “purchase” classroom perks and rewards.

4. What happens when students continue to speak English after

they are eliminated:• They will receive a check for every instance.• They will lose 1% off of their total grade for every check.• For every check, they may have to do an extra negative

point assignment during the competitions, games and/or classroom activities. This assignment is graded as a zero for completing the assignment, and negative points for not completing the assignment. These assignments can also be used to remove checks from a students’ name at the teachers discretion.

• Completely ignoring the classroom rules and procedures for the game is subject for disciplinary action.

Answers to common questions:1. Can I get checks taken off and/or get back in the game?

– Yes, you can earn opportunities to lose checks during competitions and games!

– No, you can’t get back in the game!

2. How can we just “speak” the language when we don’t know it yet?

– We will practice the game and learn some common phrases and expressions needed to “Survive”. After that you will just “pick up” the language just as you did with your first language.

3. Why do we have to do this?-There is no better way to simulate an immersion atmosphere in

the target language.-If you give true effort in this game you will succeed and you will

learn to speak the target language.-I know for a fact that everyone can do it, because you all learned

your first language in this manner!! -If you can learn one language, you can learn the target language

as well. It is as simple as that.

Contract for SurvivorI _______________________________, of sound body and mind completely

understand not only the rules of the survivor competition but also the consequences for breaking said rules. I also am aware and completely understand the reasons for conducting a Spanish class in Spanish.

I hereby agree that Survivor in Spanish is necessary for fully understanding the ethnosemantics and constructions of that language. I also hereby agree to participate and conduct myself in a manner that is conducive to the learning environment. Non-conducive behavior can be, but shall not be limited to, speaking in English to the instructor when not permitted, speaking or whispering to neighbors or friends at any time in English when not permitted; and/or not participating in compliance with classroom rules.

Again, I restate that I am fully aware of the reasons, rules and consequences of Survivor in Spanish and hereby agree in writing to accept the terms of this contract.

Signed:______________________________________Please Print Name Below: ______________________________________

Date__________________________

Actual Student Comments:• “It gave you a chance to see what Spanish you would need in the real world.”

– Student A (Spanish I, eighth grade Greensburg Salem Middle School)

• “The way Señor teaches works very well. I have also taken up to French IV and can’t put a sentence together because we translated. I know more in Spanish II than I did in French IV”

– Student B (Spanish II, eleventh grade Greensburg Salem High School)

• “The only way you can learn Spanish is by listening, speaking and writing. Spanish and English are not equal so you shouldn’t try to learn Spanish with English.”

– Student C (Spanish III, tenth grade Greensburg Salem High School)

• “Language was always the subject I struggled in most, and this method has really helped me to improve my learning ability and push me forward.”

– Student D (Spanish IV, eleventh grade Greensburg Salem High School, )

• “I have learned more in my Spanish classes than any other class or teacher I have ever had. I have gone from not speaking any Spanish to being fluent in four years.”

– Student E (Spanish V, eleventh grade Greensburg Salem High School )

• “In this class I don’t just learn about how to speak a language, I learned that words can’t be translated directly and that they (Spanish speakers) say things differently, and that is the mentality that goes with the language.”

– Student F (Spanish VI, twelfth grade Greensburg Salem High School)

Recent Survey Results: over 200 Greensburg Salem students surveyed.

1. Was your overall experience in playing “Survivor” in your language class positive, neutral or negative?

95.6% positive4.4% neutral0% negative

2. What percentage of your class was conducted in L2?80% of students responded “99% or more”20% of students responded “between 95% and 98%”0% of students responded below 95%

3. Comment on the rigor of the class and the amount of material you think you learned. (open ended question)

67% of students said “I learned a lot more than other classes”

4. What did your teacher do to help you understand the material? (open ended question)41% of students said “illustrated/ acted out”47% of students said “explained in multiple ways using the target

language”29% of students said “used a context and examples”

5. How did “Survivor” affect your learning? (open ended question)33% of students said “it forced us to think in L2”63% of students said “it made me want to learn the target

language”

Academic Results at Our District Since Implementing

“Survivor”:-Retention of students is greater from level to level.

-This year’s enrollment in Spanish IV/AP:• Up to 3 sections of 25 students. Previously 2 sections of 15-20 students.

-An average of 75% of students taking AP Spanish Language Exam receive a 4 or 5.

(before “Survivor” 75% of students scored a 2 or 3.)

-New classes and events have been added:• Spanish 6 enrollment 15 students.• Spanish Independent Study 10 students. (Class taken by student to

be completed on his or her own time with teacher direction)• Spanish Department Drama of “Blood Wedding” in its entirety in

Spanish with a cast of over 40 Spanish students.(a DVD of this drama can be purchased at our website for a minimal cost)

Contact Information:Website:

KevinandTammyLyons.googlepages.com

Email:tlyons@wiu.k12.pa.us – Tammy Lyonsklyons@wiu.k12.pa.us – Kevin Lyons

District:Greensburg Salem School District1 Academy Hill PlaceGreensburg, PA 15601724-832-2960