As part of their reading of Romeo and Juliet, students from 1st grade B, Senior Area, participated in a class designed to explore the world behind the play, focusing on the life of William Shakespeare and the cultural context of the Elizabethan era.
The session took place during the Spanish Language class, guided by Ms. Elizabeth Urzua, and was developed in articulation with the English Immersion Plan, led by Mr. Marcos Riveros. This session is part of an ongoing series of experiences carried out with all 1st grade classes, allowing students across levels to engage with literature from a broader cultural and linguistic perspective.
Rather than approaching the text in isolation, students engaged with Shakespeare’s work through a series of interactive activities. One of the highlights was the exploration of Shakespearean language, where students discovered how expressive and creative communication could be, especially through the use of insults and dramatic expressions that still capture attention today.
The class also invited students to reflect on the lasting influence of Shakespeare on the English language, recognizing how many commonly used words and phrases originated in his works and continue to be part of everyday communication. This perspective helped students understand literature not only as a story, but as a living element of language and culture.
Another key moment of the session focused on the Elizabethan era, where students explored the social and cultural environment in which Shakespeare wrote. This allowed them to better understand the motivations, conflicts, and themes present in Romeo and Juliet, connecting the narrative to its historical context.
To bring the experience closer to their own reality, students worked on adapting selected excerpts into modern Spanish, reflecting on how classic texts can be reinterpreted and made meaningful in today’s context. This activity encouraged creativity while reinforcing the idea that engaging with literature involves interpretation, not just reading.
Although the class was conducted in Spanish, it served as a valuable opportunity to reinforce key aspects of the English Immersion Plan, particularly the connection between language, culture, and literature. Through experiences like this, students are invited to approach English from a broader perspective, where understanding the roots of the language becomes part of the learning process.
