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PK-12 Education

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BREADCRUMB

About

What is Dual Language Immersion?

In a dual language immersion program, or two-way immersion, students receive instruction at least half the day in the partner language (Spanish or Chinese) and up to half the day in English. Over 30 years of research indicates that language immersion is the most effective type of foreign language instruction. Dual Language Immersion is an excellent way for students to learn academic content while acquiring another language at the same time.

3 Core Goals of Immersion
  1. Academic Achievement
  2. Bilingualism/Biliteracy
  3. Sociocultural Competence.
Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Enhances a child’s brain development and intellectual growth

Develops flexibility in thinking, sensitivity to languages and a better ear for listening

Improves a child’s understanding of their native language

Gives a child the ability to communicate with people they would otherwise not have the chance to know

Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries

Increases career opportunities

Why Begin a Second Language in Kindergarten?

Having twice as many synapses (connections) in the brain as an adult, a young child is developmentally ready to learn a new language. 

A young brain must use these connections or lose them. When children wait until high school to start studying a foreign language, the task can be more difficult.

Dual Languaage Immersion Promotional video

Hear from Apollo graduate Grace Leapaldt in this TEDx Talk all the ways language immersion programming enriched her learning and life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

St. Cloud Area Schools offers Dual Language Immersion programs in Spanish and Chinese. These programs immerse children in a second language allowing them to become bilingual at an early age.

Resources