Why does dora teach spanish?
“Dora the Explorer” is a popular children’s television program about a Latina girl. The show focuses on interactive problem solving and Spanish language learning, which is important for the increasing Hispanic population in America. As the main character, Dora says some short words in Spanish as teaching tools on the show that “is designed to actively engage preschoolers in a play-along, computer-style adventure,” according to nickjr.com.HistoryThe animated series “Dora the Explorer” premiered in 1999, and has been broadcast on CBS, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. A Spanish language version began in 2006 and has run on Telemundo and Univision.Spanish SpeakersAccording to United States Census findings, 35 million U.S. residents speak Spanish at home, constituting 12 percent of the population.ImportanceA 2001 USA Today article states, “with the surge … in Hispanic population, speaking Spanish is becoming more of a necessity than a choice.”MethodIntroducing a second language to children before
