What is a partial immersion class?

Instruction during one-half of the day is in Spanish and in English the opposite half.

Why teach a second language so early?

Young children learn language with ease.  In an immersion class a child learns a second language in the same way as the first – by being surrounded by it all day long, by using it to accomplish the everyday tasks of living, by learning about the world in it.

Won’t a child lag behind in reading and English skills if taught only in Spanish for half the day?

No. Students receive language arts and social studies every day.  When immersion children take standardized tests they rank with or above their peers in every subject area.

Many score well above grade level.

Who can enter an immersion class?

Any child may begin immersion in PreK-3, PreK-4, Kindergarten or first grade.  Students who are fluent in Spanish and pass a screening exam in Spanish, may be allowed to enter in the upper grades as the program moves to the higher grades.

What does a child learn in immersion besides Spanish?

All subjects common in any  School. The subjects taught in Spanish  cover the same curriculum objectives as if taught in English.

If I don’t speak Spanish, how can I help my child with homework?

Most families of immersion children do not speak Spanish.  The teachers understand this and do not assign homework that is beyond the children’s abilities to do on their own as most homework should be whether in English or Spanish.

In addition, you can be supportive of your child learning Spanish and you can encourage reading in English.  You can also discuss the content of the science, math and social studies units as the newsletters and the curriculum covering the objectives for each grade will be published in English.  Children will transfer the knowledge to what they are doing in school.  Sometimes the homework for the Spanish subjects is sent in English as the concepts are the same.  Meetings will be held for parents to stay current on what is being learned in the classroom.  Some children enjoy having something they can do that their parents can’t.  However, this might also be the time to do what you may have been promising yourself for years – learn another language yourself!

How long will it take for my child to become fluent in Spanish?

Children begin to use Spanish at once.  Most feel at home in immersion classes after the first six weeks.  Each child progresses toward fluency and according to his or her own rate.  Parents will notice the increased use of their children’s second language as each year passes.

What will my child do with knowledge of Spanish?

Bilingual people have better opportunities in almost any field, business, medicine, law, government, etc.  In addition, travel becomes much more enjoyable, and subsequent languages are significantly easier to learn.  They also learn their own language much easier.  One of the best benefits of an immersion program is the increased knowledge and understanding of other cultures, flexibility of approach to language, culture and social settings and the ability to think divergently using both English and Spanish.

Related links:

U. S Department of Education

Forest Glen International Elementary ( Indiana-USA)  (English/Spanish Program)

Bilingual School of Monza ( Europe- Italy )  -(English/Italian Program)

Toronto French School ( Ontario-Canada)-(English/French Program)

CREDE -Center for Research on Education Diversity & Excellence -  University of California

Health Sense; The Evidence Speaks Well of Bilingualism's Effect on Kids