From aula biblioteca to biblioteca aula

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the integration of a school library program into the English language program of a Spanish school.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the development of an English Language Arts Library Classroom (ELALC) in the English Program at the Col‐legi SEK Catalunya, P‐12 school near Barcelona, Spain.FindingsAs schools in Spain do not typically have school library media centers or school librarians, the ELALCs are a way to bring the concept of a school library into a school culture where the idea is unfamiliar. The primary English language teachers at the SEK believe that the ELALCs will be a motivating environment for English language learning that will increase their students’ motivation and involvement in learning.Practical implicationsSchool library programs and librarians can and should take more active collaborative and instructional roles in language acquisition.Originality/valueThe paper presents an innovative concept in providing school library skills and encouraging literacy by development of a hybrid library classroom or biblioteca aula, for P‐12 schools that do not have library programs.