Parents
Dual Language Program
Program Overview -Structure of the Dual Language Program
 The
Dual Language program is comprised of classes whose students
are 50% native English speakers and 50% native Spanish
speakers.* Classes in kindergarten, first and second grade
are taught by highly qualified bilingual teachers who are
assisted by bilingual aides. Each student develops literacy
in his/her native language. In third grade, first language
literacy is transferred to the second language. Thus, in
the intermediate grades, one teacher may be English dominant
and one may be Spanish dominant. Instructional materials
are available in both languages and correspond to the adopted
curriculum for district 220 for each grade level. As students
progress through the program, they will master academic
content and skills in both languages as teachers vary the
language in which the content units are taught.
District 220 has adopted the 90-10
format for the dual language program. Research shows
this to be a more effective model than the 50-50. In the
90-10
model, instruction in kindergarten and first grade
will be delivered 90% in Spanish and 10% in English.
- For
each
subsequent year, the percentage of Spanish
is decreased by 10% and increased in English. By fifth
grade,
instruction in the two languages is a balanced
50 - 50%. Barring any
unforeseen circumstances, it is the district's
goal that the program continue into middle and high
school.
- If you are interested in having your child join
the next kindergarten cohort, look for
information about Kindergarten Round-Up in early Spring.
At that time, you can fill out an interest card (click here). Interest cards should be returned to Mr. Rick Aceves, no later than March 12, 2010.
- Slightly
more spaces are available for native English
speakers. This reflects the fact
that native Spanish speakers can
still join the program in first grade, while native English
speakers can not.
- The Lines and Roslyn Road dual language
cohorts receive literacy in native language. Other
cohorts follow the traditional
90-10 program model.
Goals - Bilingual, Biliterate
and Bicultural
Dual Language, also known as
Two-Way Immersion (TWI), is a compelling and well researched
instructional approach that provides a challenging enriched
curriculum from which students emerge bilingual, biliterate
and bicultural. The dual language program is an additive bilingual program because it honors the native language of all speakers. It
does not attempt to supplant one language with another.
As a result, all students simultaneously serve as both
language models and language learners.
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