Dual
Language
Immersion
STUDENTS LEARN IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH
Information about our Dual Language Immersion Program at Saint Matthias
50-50 models teach half the day in the partner language and the other half in English, this is the case at our school, St. Matthias. Students spend half the school day learning in English and the other half in the partner language, such as Spanish . This model ensures equal exposure to both languages, promoting bilingualism, bi-literacy, and academic success in all subjects.
|
|
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Dual Language Immersion (DLI)?
Dual Language Immersion (DLI) is a model of education in which students matriculate through grades TK (or even pre-school) through grade 8 learning content in two languages, English and a Partner Language (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin). Students also experience daily prayers, Masses, celebrations, and performances in both languages. In the early grades, students explore their world guided by teachers using two languages. As they grow, students are taught academic subjects in both English and a partner language. For example, students study math in Spanish while learning history in English.
Why Dual Language Immersion programs?
This particular school model operates on an additive perspective not a deficit. It recognizes that children come to us with language, and just because they may not know English yet, doesn’t mean they start out with a deficit. On the contrary, as mentioned by the National Literacy Panel and the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence, these students need to fully develop their native language, have the opportunity to build strong literacy skills so that they can then more successfully acquire their second language. You may be asking well what about students who only speak English and are enrolled in these school models? Research shows that these students continue to show academic gains without a detriment to English.
What are the goals for the Program?
The goals of dual language immersion is bilingualism, bi-literacy and biculturalism. In other words by the time students graduate from St. Matthias' Dual Language Immersion Program they will be able to listen, speak, read, write and learn academic content in both languages. They will equally learn to embrace differences because this model celebrates exactly this, cultural and language.
What if I don’t know the language?
One of the main concerns for parents in a dual language immersion program is how will they be able to help their child if they don’t know the language? One way that we plan on addressing this concern is that teachers will send a weekly newsletter regarding overarching topics students will be viewing in class. This will include items that will help you engage your child in conversations and ask questions. However, a large part of enrolling in this program is being confident that your child will learn independently of you. Encourage your child to go to class a couple of minutes before school to ask the teacher for help. If they are too young or shy accompany them to ask the teacher for help, eventually they will be asking without your help. This will guide them into becoming independent learners and empower them to take charge of their learning. Also, use other parents in your child’s class as a resource.
What language should I speak to my child in at home?
Speak to your child in the language you feel most comfortable in and read, read, read in that language. Research from the National Literacy Panel and the Center for Research, Education, Diversity and Excellence suggest that students learn their second language best when they have strong literacy skills in their native language. That means that by helping them with their English, you are indeed helping them with their Spanish!
Dual Language Immersion (DLI) is a model of education in which students matriculate through grades TK (or even pre-school) through grade 8 learning content in two languages, English and a Partner Language (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin). Students also experience daily prayers, Masses, celebrations, and performances in both languages. In the early grades, students explore their world guided by teachers using two languages. As they grow, students are taught academic subjects in both English and a partner language. For example, students study math in Spanish while learning history in English.
Why Dual Language Immersion programs?
This particular school model operates on an additive perspective not a deficit. It recognizes that children come to us with language, and just because they may not know English yet, doesn’t mean they start out with a deficit. On the contrary, as mentioned by the National Literacy Panel and the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence, these students need to fully develop their native language, have the opportunity to build strong literacy skills so that they can then more successfully acquire their second language. You may be asking well what about students who only speak English and are enrolled in these school models? Research shows that these students continue to show academic gains without a detriment to English.
What are the goals for the Program?
The goals of dual language immersion is bilingualism, bi-literacy and biculturalism. In other words by the time students graduate from St. Matthias' Dual Language Immersion Program they will be able to listen, speak, read, write and learn academic content in both languages. They will equally learn to embrace differences because this model celebrates exactly this, cultural and language.
What if I don’t know the language?
One of the main concerns for parents in a dual language immersion program is how will they be able to help their child if they don’t know the language? One way that we plan on addressing this concern is that teachers will send a weekly newsletter regarding overarching topics students will be viewing in class. This will include items that will help you engage your child in conversations and ask questions. However, a large part of enrolling in this program is being confident that your child will learn independently of you. Encourage your child to go to class a couple of minutes before school to ask the teacher for help. If they are too young or shy accompany them to ask the teacher for help, eventually they will be asking without your help. This will guide them into becoming independent learners and empower them to take charge of their learning. Also, use other parents in your child’s class as a resource.
What language should I speak to my child in at home?
Speak to your child in the language you feel most comfortable in and read, read, read in that language. Research from the National Literacy Panel and the Center for Research, Education, Diversity and Excellence suggest that students learn their second language best when they have strong literacy skills in their native language. That means that by helping them with their English, you are indeed helping them with their Spanish!
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
- Parents can support their child’s language development whether or not they are bilingual/biliterate
- Dual language schooling is a long-term commitment
- The development of bilingualism at a young age has lifelong social and career advantages
- The development of biliteracy has lifelong social, academic, and career advantages
- Experiencing the Catholic faith in two languages has lifelong advantages
THE DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION NETWORK
The Dual Language Immersion Schools of the Los Angeles Archdiocese share a common goal; to promote language learning through Roman Catholic traditions and faith. Find out more at DualLanguageLA.org
