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Spanish Immersion

Delaware Dual Language Immersion programs provide students with a seamless K-12 language and content-learning experience including four components. Each component builds upon the previous to ensure continued growth in both language proficiency and academic content knowledge. Students who complete all four components of the program will be assured of becoming bilingual, biliterate, and able to successfully navigate multiple cultures in multiple contexts, thus being ultimate prepared for college career and life.

Did you know that Spanish is the official language of 20 countries? Or, that there are approximately 440 million Spanish speakers worldwide? Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States and, according to a recent Bloomberg report, the fourth most important international business language after English. 

Immersion education is the most effective way to learn another language. In addition to developing oral proficiency in the language, students become biliterate as they simultaneously learn to read and write in Spanish alongside of English. Students are taught by certified teachers that have advanced-superior levels of proficiency in Spanish. 

Highlights of the Seaford School District Dual Language Immersion program:

  • Children benefit from the instruction of two classroom teachers—one who will teach them for half of the day in English and the other for half of the day in the targeted immersion language.
  • The program is supported by the Delaware Department of Education.  Students completing the scope and sequence of the Immersion program will be fully bilingual and bi-literate. 
  • The Immersion-language teacher teaches Language Arts for the targeted immersion language, mathematics, science and social studies curriculum. 
  • The English-speaking teacher teaches English Language Arts as well as supporting science, and social studies, and select elements of mathematics. 
  • World Language Immersion students are provided the same standards-based curriculum in all content areas that non-immersion students would receive in any other elementary classroom.
 

Proven Advantages:

  • World Language Proficiency - Students achieve high levels of world language proficiency in the immersion language.  By enrolling in a Delaware World Language Immersion program, students are on a pathway to read, write, speak, and listen in another language
  • Improved Test Performance- Research shows that immersion students perform as well or better than their non-immersion peers on standardized tests of English and mathematics, even when these assessments are delivered in English.
  • Enhanced Cognitive Skills- Immersion students develop greater cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention control, better memory and superior problem-solving skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of their first language.
  • Increased Cultural Sensitivity- Immersion students are much more aware of and show a more positive attitude towards different cultures and an appreciation of people who have different cultural perspectives and practices.  
  • Long-Term Benefits- Immersion students are better prepared for the global community and job markets where world language skills provide them with an economic advantage.  


Top 10 Reasons for Enrolling in an Immersion Program

  • To acquire a second language
  • To have a greater capacity for listening
  • To think more creatively and analytically
  • To develop better communication skills
  • To express enthusiasm and have an aptitude for problem solving
  • To have a greater awareness of self and others
  • To gain insights into other cultures
  • To unify staff and students in creating a shared linguistic community
  • To provide access to a greater part of the world
  • To take advantage of the optimal time to learn a language and develop an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures, peoples, and perspectives in the world


TED Talk: the benefits of a bilingual brain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMmOLN5zBLY&feature=youtu.be

This video from the TED ED YouTube channel explains the different type of multilingual speakers and how speaking multiple languages helps your brain stay healthy. Generally, the earlier a child can start learning a language, the better, but even adults who learn a second language can benefit from it. Your brain can show more activity and a higher density of gray matter that contains your brains neurons and synapses. It’s also possible that knowing and speaking a second language on a regular basis can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

For more information about dual immersion education, please visit the following websites:
The Center for Applied Linguistics: 
http://www.cal.org:80/twi/

The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA):
http://www.carla.umn.edu/index.html