Two- Way Dual Immersion Programs In Mandarin and Spanish Producing high achieving bilingual and biliterate global and culturally proficient citizens prepared to excel in the 21st century. Enriched education programs are programs that emphasize challenging standards in the core curriculum domains while enriching students development in both their first and second language. These programs aim for full proficiency in two languages, an understanding and appreciation of the cultures associated with those languages, and high levels of achievement in all core academic domains." (Cloud, Genesee, Hamayan, 2000) Welcome Alhambra Unified School District s Dual Language Immersion program offers a rich bilingual experience for young learners. We offer our program beginning in Transitional- Kindergarten and Kindergarten when our young scholars minds are developmentally best able to begin the acquisition of a second language. Instruction is divided between two high quality, creative classrooms: one English and one in the Second Language (Mandarin or Spanish). Program Overview The Dual Language Immersion program offers English speaking and Spanish or Mandarin speaking students an exciting, enriching, and challenging educational opportunity. All students will learn to read, write, and communicate effectively in English and the partner language (Mandarin or Spanish) while achieving high levels of academic success. Students will have the bilingual skills and cross- cultural competencies needed to succeed in our multicultural society and global economy. These are priceless gifts that will serve our children for a lifetime and enable them to make a positive difference as global citizens.
Spanish Dual Language Immersion Language Program Fremont Elementary School provides a high- quality educational program for students including our new Spanish Dual Immersion Program. In our Spanish program, we will immerse students in Spanish language along with culture and history of the regions and provide our families events to share and experience what our students are learning. We offer a 90/10 model which means in TK and K students are instructed in Spanish 90% and in English 10% of the instructional day. Each year the English instruction is increased by 10% until instruction reaches 50% English and 50% Spanish for 4 th grade. It continues as a 50/50 program through the eighth grade. Principal Ignacio Muñiz, Fremont Elementary School. 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 English English Spanish What are the benefits of learning Spanish? The 5 Game-changing Economic Benefits of Learning Spanish 1. Spanish Widens Economic Horizons and Personal Potential Spanish opens a person up to a world of almost half a billion people (470 million speakers) who have different ways of thinking and looking at situations. different ways. 2. Spanish Serves as a Business Resource for Corporations Spanish is spoken in 21 countries today. In addition, there are 44 countries who have at least 3 million Spanish speakers. If you want to engage in commerce in the world today, it s helpful to know that the combined GDP of Spanishspeaking countries easily tops $6 trillion. Mexico and Spain alone have $1.7 and $1.4 trillion respectively. One can only participate meaningfully in this huge (and rapidly growing) market if one understands the culture and speaks the
language not just the language of business, but the language of the person who sits across the table. 3. Understand English better. Both English and Spanish share roots in Latin. Studying Spanish increases children s understanding of the English language and how different languages evolve, which can also help with learning English vocabulary. 4. Get to know your neighbors. Spanish is also the second most-spoken language in the United States, with more than 35 million speakers across the country. Cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago brim with Spanish speakers and Spanish culture. In California, 26% of the population speaks Spanish followed next by Mandarin at 2%. 5. Broaden cultural horizons. Give your child access to Spanish films, music, and literature. World-renowned singers like Juanes, Luis Miguel, and Shakira, filmmakers such as Pedro Almodovar, and writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez are all native Spanish speakers. Knowing Spanish will help your child understand and appreciate other cultures and appreciate the wide variety of Hispanic cultural contributions. 6. Expand future employment options. Employers want employees who are bi-lingual and multi-lingual. Knowing Spanish is always a bonus when looking for a job. The earlier children start learning, the easier it will be for them to become fluent. Several major careers work directly with Spanish speaking clients Medicine, Law, Education, Public Services, Business, etc.
Continued on the next page. Chinese (Mandarin) Dual Language Immersion Programs Marguerita Elementary School provides strong, rigorous K- 8 curriculum for all students including those in our Mandarin Dual Immersion Program. Our Mandarin program promotes a bilingual, multicultural environment by providing 50% of instruction in English and 50% in Mandarin Chinese. Standards- based instruction in both languages ensures that all students are able to achieve high academic standards as well as become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural citizens. Principal Florence Goh, Marguerita Elementary School. 50 40 30 20 10 0 TK- K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3-8 English Mandarin What are the benefits of learning Mandarin? 1. China is emerging rapidly as one of the great powers of the world today. China s economy currently stands the second largest in the world and continues to grow at an amazing pace. Learning to speak Mandarin Chinese is a great way to take advantage of this huge economic shift and opportunities, to give oneself and one s children an advantage in the increasingly competitive business world. 2. Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity not to be missed: international companies are competing for those with Mandarin Chinese skills to be placed as executives for their China ventures. Just ask: between equal foreign competitors courting a Chinese company, who will the company choose to associate with: a Chinese-speaking foreigner or a foreigner with a translator? 3. China is a huge export market for any country that takes export seriously.1/5th of the world s population lives in China. Overseas Chinese dominate the economies of many countries in Asia, and speaking Mandarin
gives an edge in doing business with them, too. Countries with large overseas Chinese populations include Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. 4. The world is becoming a global economy. Communication, ideas, and goods are travelling faster and faster between countries including the UK and China. Learning Chinese gives the opportunity to take advantage of this change. 5. Chinese has become very useful in government. The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. The US Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geitner studied Chinese and attended Beijing University. The former Utah Governor, now Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, is fluent in Chinese. 6. Chinese culture is over 5000 years old. By learning the Chinese Language, you will learn another culture. Learning a language gives you a better understanding through the grammar and even how the words are derived of the culture behind them. There is a lot of Chinese Poetry that lose some deep/subtle meaning when translated. Student Composition in the Programs Spaces will be allocated in the Dual Immersion Programs as follows: 1/3 of the spaces available shall be reserved for applicants whose primary language is that of the partner language of the program (Mandarin/Spanish) 1/3 of the spaces available shall be reserved for applicants who are English- only. 1/3 of the spaces available shall be reserved for applicants who speak both English and the partner language of the program Proven Benefits Research shows there are many benefits for students enrolled in dual immersion programs. Students develop full oral, reading, and writing proficiency in two languages. Their academic performance in Reading and Math meets and often exceeds state and district standards. Bilingual students are more creative, better at problem- solving, and score higher on literacy tests. Research also supports the fact they have higher graduation rates, an increased interest in attending college, higher self- esteem, and greater cultural awareness. Here are additional benefits experienced by dual immersion students, their schools, and their communities: Student Benefits: Second Language Skills - Students achieve high proficiency in the immersion language.
Improved Performance on Standardized Tests - Immersion students perform as well as or better than non- immersion students on standardized tests of English and math administered in English. Full Gap Closure English learners in dual immersion programs experience full- achievement gap closure by the fifth grade. Enhanced Cognitive Skills - Immersion students typically develop greater cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention control, better memory, and superior problem solving skills as well as an enhanced understanding of their primary language. Greater adaptability - Increases a student s ability to adapt to other types of learning. Increased Cultural Sensitivity - Immersion students are more aware of and show more positive attitudes towards other cultures and an appreciation of other people. Long Term Benefits - Immersion students are better prepared for the global community and job markets where a second language is an asset. School and Community Benefits Increased value of the culture Students both in the Dual Immersion program as well as in the general school develop an increased value for the culture of the partner language. Increased positive attitude towards people Students in dual immersion schools develop positive attitudes towards people who are different from themselves both in school as well as in the community. Diversified school programs Students find success in many different ways. The greater diversity of programs offered by our school increases the opportunities to find a program that will lead them to success in both college and career. Increased and stronger family relationships Sadly there are times when students who primarily speak English have family members who speak a language other than English. The students are cut off from their family by the lack of fluency in the language of their heritage. By learning the second language, our students will be much closer with their families and have access to the teachings and wisdom of their family. How to Apply to our Dual Language Immersion Program Families must go through the AUSD enrollment procedure to apply for either our Mandarin or Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program. To apply for the program, the student must be either entering Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten. For a full description of the process, please visit the Dual Immersion Application Process link on our website. Program Goals Academic Competence: Students will achieve in all academic subjects according to district and state guidelines.
Meet the California Content Standards in all content areas. Billingualism: Develop fluency in communication and literacy in Mandarin/Spanish and English without compromising either language. Cultivate understanding and appreciation of other cultures, inspire self- esteem, and strengthen positive attitudes among students, their families and within the community. Students will successfully complete a rigorous and challenging program including attainment of the California State Seal of Biliteracy, completion of the California University system a- g requirements, and successful participation in the AP Language course associated with their dual- immersion program. Students who participate in the program to attend a university directly from high school. Curriculum Our teachers will apply the same rigorous California academic content standards in alignment with the Common Core as in any other classroom to build proficiency in English and Mandarin/Spanish language arts. They are fully credentialed, with additional certification in Bilingual, Cross- cultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD). On any given day, you might find a classroom full of kindergarteners counting and sorting coins, first graders singing The More We Get Together, or second graders describing the float- or- sink properties of everyday objects all in Mandarin or Spanish! The program follows the District s core curriculum. Grade- level standards are taught. The delivery of the lessons is taught by using one language at a time. Teachers are highly trained and receive continuous professional development in delivering lessons that are understood by all students. There is a continued emphasis on English/Spanish or English/Mandarin language development and academic vocabulary. High academic and linguistic expectations are in place.