Sold a Story: Introducing Sold a Story en Español

Released March 19, 2024 by APM Reports

In the latest episode of Sold a Story, host Emily Hanford unveils a significant expansion of the podcast’s reach by introducing its Spanish-language counterpart, Sold a Story en Español. This episode marks a pivotal moment in the series' mission to expose and challenge the ineffective methods widely used in teaching children to read. Through insightful discussions and the introduction of Valeria Fernandez, the episode delves into the necessity, challenges, and implications of translating the podcast for Spanish-speaking audiences in the United States.

1. Episode Overview and Updates Post-Release

Emily Hanford opens the episode by reflecting on the impact and developments since the original Sold a Story was released over a year ago. She notes a substantial decline in the sales of the disproven reading instruction methods that the podcast critiques:

"Since Sold a Story came out, six sales have really cratered. In 2019, they were almost off the chart and now it's just barely a blip." [00:20]

Emily shares that schools and the implicated publishing company have experienced significant setbacks, likening the collapse to the downfall of Cold War-era statues. Additionally, she mentions upcoming updates featuring feedback from teachers, parents, and students, highlighting the ongoing struggles and progress in fourth-grade reading capabilities.

2. Introducing Valeria Fernandez and the Spanish Adaptation

A major highlight of the episode is the introduction of Valeria Fernandez, an investigative journalist based in Phoenix, who takes on the role of hosting Sold a Story en Español. Emily emphasizes the importance of this adaptation to reach Spanish-speaking parents and educators:

"Valeria is a journalist based in Phoenix and she is the host of Solda's Story and Espanol." [01:00]

Valeria introduces herself as an independent journalist from Uruguay with a focus on immigration, social justice, and bilingual education. As a mother of a 4-year-old preparing to start school, her personal and professional experiences fuel her passion for ensuring effective reading instruction for children who speak Spanish at home.

3. The Importance of Reaching Spanish-Speaking Communities

The conversation underscores the critical need for Sold a Story to be accessible to Spanish-speaking audiences. Emily highlights the disconnect many Spanish-speaking parents face when their children are taught to read in English, often without adequate support:

"Parents really need to understand some things about what it takes to learn the English language and what schools are or not doing in terms of teaching that really well to their children who need to learn how to speak English and read English." [04:03]

Valeria echoes this sentiment, stressing that Sold a Story en Español provides essential information and resources tailored to the unique challenges faced by bilingual families in the U.S.

4. Challenges in Translating the Podcast

Translating Sold a Story into Spanish posed significant challenges, as discussed by Emily and Valeria. Emily shares the complexities involved in ensuring accurate and culturally relevant translations:

"No one on our core team speak Spanish. And, you know, we have little arguments and debates about the particular word that we choose in English as we're going through and editing scripts." [02:02]

Valeria elaborates on the linguistic differences between English and Spanish, noting that Spanish's more straightforward phonetics make it easier to teach reading compared to the irregularities of English:

"Spanish is a much easier language to learn to read than English. You don't have, you know, all these silent letters. There's only the h." [03:30]

These discussions highlight the dedication and meticulous effort required to produce a faithful and effective Spanish version of the podcast.

5. The Role of Language Complexity in Reading Education

A significant portion of the episode delves into how the inherent complexities of the English language contribute to the challenges in teaching children to read. Emily points out that English's irregularities necessitate more extended and intensive instruction:

"English is one of the most difficult languages to learn. It takes two or three years for, like a typically developing kid to learn the basics of written English, whereas if a kid gets some good instruction in Spanish, it usually takes only about a year or so to teach them how to decode the Spanish language." [03:56]

This comparison underscores the urgency for effective teaching methods and resources for English language learners, particularly in bilingual households.

6. Additional Resources for Spanish-Speaking Parents

To support Spanish-speaking parents, Sold a Story en Español offers a variety of translated materials and resources. Emily highlights the availability of in-depth articles, tips, and advice tailored to help parents navigate the complexities of their children's reading education:

"We also translated into Spanish several in depth articles that we've written about how reading is taught in American schools, how it's tested. We have those in translation so they can be read in Spanish." [04:43]

Furthermore, a comprehensive list of Spanish-language resources is available on their website, providing actionable strategies for parents concerned about their children's reading progress.

7. Conclusion and Future Directions

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to Valeria Fernandez for spearheading the Spanish adaptation and a call to action for listeners to spread the word within their Spanish-speaking communities. Emily encourages listeners to access Sold a Story en Español through podcast platforms and the show's website:

"Sold a Story in Spanish is available now. Search for it in your podcast app or just click the link in the show notes." [05:44]

Emily also teases upcoming English episodes, inviting listeners to subscribe for future updates and continued exploration of the flawed reading instruction narrative.

Key Takeaways:

• Expansion to Spanish: Sold a Story has launched a Spanish-language version to reach and support Spanish-speaking parents and educators in the U.S.

• Introduction of Valeria Fernandez: An experienced journalist and mother, Valeria leads the Spanish adaptation, bringing her expertise in bilingual education and social justice.

• Challenges in Translation: The process involved navigating linguistic nuances and ensuring cultural relevance, reflecting the complexities of teaching reading in English versus Spanish.

• Importance of Effective Reading Instruction: Highlighting the critical role of proper reading education, especially for children learning English as a second language.

• Available Resources: Comprehensive translated materials and resources are provided to assist parents in supporting their children's reading development.

This episode not only broadens the podcast’s reach but also reinforces its commitment to advocating for evidence-based reading education across diverse communities.