Immersion programs help children learn languages
In an increasingly diverse country and expanding global economy, it’s more important than ever that children be able to communicate in the languages of their peers. Some language immersion programs focus on bringing English language learner students up to speed, while others focus on teaching native English speakers new languages. Let’s take a look at why immersion programs are necessary, how they work and what the benefits are.
What are language immersion programs?
Language immersion programs are programs in which students are taught in a language other than English. Most immersion programs begin in kindergarten and continue through 12th grade.
There are two main types: Foreign language immersion (one-way) and dual language immersion (two-way).
Foreign language immersion (one-way)
Students are primarily native English speakers learning a foreign language.
Dual language immersion (two-way)
Both native English speakers and native speakers of the partner language are enrolled, with neither group making up more than two-thirds of the student population.
Language immersion programs may also be full or partial.
Full immersion
Students are taught in the partner language almost exclusively at first, then gradually in both languages in even portions from fourth grade to 12th grade. This is more common in one-way immersion programs.
Partial immersion
English and the partner language are each used 50% of the time across all grade levels. This is more common in two-way immersion programs.
Here is how a typical day in a kindergarten partial immersion class could go:
Spanish-speaking instructor teaches Spanish language arts and math in the morning
English-speaking instructor teaches English language arts, social studies and science in the afternoon.
