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El Programa de Inmersi ón. What is the difference between:. Bilingual education- Two languages are used for instruction at the same time. Usually the goal is to help speakers become fluent in English. Sometimes a program has an added goal of strengthening the home language.
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What is the difference between: • Bilingual education- Two languages are used for instruction at the same time. Usually the goal is to help speakers become fluent in English. Sometimes a program has an added goal of strengthening the home language. • Full immersion- The target language is spoken all day in every subject. The teaching of English literacy skills begins at about age eight.
Dual immersion- The population being served consists of roughly 50% English speakers and 50% target language speakers. The goal is to help both groups become fluent in the other language. • Partial immersion- A portion of the daily instruction is conducted in the target language. The goal is to increase students’ fluency in the target language.
North Woods • Our plan at North Woods International is to implement a partial immersion program. Our goal is to increase students’ fluency in the Spanish language.
An overview of the program: • Kindergarten • Introductory year • More Spanish than in the Spanish Exploratory classroom, but not complete partial immersion • 45-50% of the day is taught completely in Spanish. • Math • Social Studies • Science • Morning Meeting • If needed, math instruction in English to allow teachers to teach the language of assessment.
Can I enroll my student in any grade level? • 2011-2012 • Accepting students entering grades K-3 • 2012-2013 • Accepting students entering grades K-5 • After 2013, admission is generally accepted only in Kindergarten • If positions become available, 1st and 2nd grade applications will be accepted.
How do I apply to enroll my student in the Spanish Immersion strand? • Applications • Available after November 15th • Sent home with students and available in the office upon request • If requests exceed positions available, a selective lottery will be conducted.
Will students be able to test out of Spanish I when they enter middle school? • Our Plan: • Students will be able to complete an assessment and place into Spanish II in middle school by 2014. • They could begin with Spanish III in high school. • This puts them on a path to complete Spanish VI by the end of high school.
How will my child understand the teacher before he/she knows much Spanish? • Children learn a second language much more easily at a young age. • Teachers use exaggerated body language, gestures, songs, and aids to help students understand. • Students are soon able to understand and communicate in Spanish.
Will my child still be able to read, write and speak in English as well as students who are in the Spanish Exploration classrooms? • Studies show immersion students reach the same levels of proficiency in reading as peers in non-immersion classroom. • Learning Spanish can enhance a student’s native language, too.
Will my child be able to succeed in academic subjects like math and science when they are taught in Spanish? • Data shows that students in an immersion program perform at the same level as their peers in non-immersion classrooms in math, science, and social studies. • Students do not generally have problems obtaining and applying new knowledge despite the fact that instruction is not in their native language.
Is my child a good candidate for a Spanish Immersion program? • Immersion programs are appropriate for a wide variety of students. • If you are unsure, please talk to your child’s current classroom teacher.
I don’t speak Spanish-will I still be able to help my child with homework? • Teachers will thoroughly explain any homework that will be sent home with your child, so that they are able to explain to you what needs to be done. Parents of immersion students often find themselves learning the language from their children, and should encourage their child to use Spanish when doing their homework. • If you have troubles, please write your child’s teacher a note and we will be happy to work with your student
What are the benefits to being in the Spanish Immersion program? • Achieve higher levels of Spanish proficiency • More opportunities in college and workplace • Develop a greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures • Learning a second language at an early age positively affects intellectual growth. • Helps students gain flexibility in thinking and problem solving • Improves their listening skills
Sources cited: • Top Ten Most Consistent Findings from Research on Foreign Language Immersion. The ACIE Newsletter, May 2007, Vol. 10. • Language Immersion Programs. ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics. • What Parents Want to Know about Foreign Language Immersion Programs. ERIC Digest.
