What is a Language Immersion Program?
A Language Immersion Program is a way of learning a second language. The focus of study is not the language itself (as many traditional methods offer), but another academic subject. The classes are conducted in the target language while the student learns subjects as Science or Math. This way the learning of the language becomes a natural language acquisition process, equivalent to the first language acquisition.
There are different types of Language Immersion Programs depending on the age and extent of it; JTM offers a partial immersion program in Spanish (Math and Science classes) and a middle immersion (which means that our students are in the age range 10 – 13 years old). Students in this program learn the same State Standards and Objectives as the rest of students at JTM. The Immersion Program is part of the International Baccalaureate program for the MYP or middle years. Students are not restricted or behind because of learning academic content in another language. Rather than that, students acquire the knowledge required for their grade level plus the ability to communicate, explain and work in another language.
Why Immersion in another language and why at early age?
Children of today who acquire a second language will be successful in the global society and economy of their adulthood.
Childhood is the best time to develop an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures, peoples, and perspectives in the world.
An optimal time to learn languages is prior to age sixteen. Research on brain development in recent decades supports this claim. Our brains are wired to produce all sounds and acquire any language. There is a critical period in language acquisition until the child is 16 years old. From this age on, the acquisition will become a learning process that will demand more effort.
Academic skills are actually enhanced and children are guaranteed to be challenged. Studies consistently show that immersion students do as well as or better than comparable non-immersion students in English language skills, math, science, and social studies.
How is the Language Immersion Program developed at JTM ?
As it has been mentioned before, JTM offers a partial immersion program with two subjects, Math and Science. The program started on 2007-2008 with 5th grade students from Glendale Elementary and will continue improving for following years (next 2008-2009 JTM will provide classes for 5th and 6th graders).Students will take regular classes in English for subjects as Social Studies, Language Arts, Music. P.E., Art… and they will take Math and Science in Spanish. The classes are conducted in Spanish and all the interaction among students and teacher is performed in this language. Students will be provided with books and workbooks in Spanish and an English version will be sent home for the parents’ information. Students will develop the 4 language skills (Speaking, Oral comprehension, Reading and Writing) in Spanish while learning Science and Math and having fun!
5th grade students in the Spanish immersion program at JTM give their opinions….
‘I like Spanish immersion because we learn Science and Math but in
Spanish, and we understand!’
‘The Spanish Immersion Program at JTMoore is excellent!We have a natural Spanish speaker and there are two classes, Science and Math. I recommend the program to all students’
‘The classes are awesome! You learn Spanish words that are out of this world! J.T. Moore Spanish Immersion class is great and I am sure you will like it!’
‘I was a little nervous about starting middle school in the immersion program but this has been my best year yet! I love the classes and I hope all the kids at Glendale get to come to J.T. Moore!’
‘I love this class. You get to have fun while learning Spanish. I love to teach my mom Spanish.’
Language Immersion teacher
Ms. Ibañez. (259-8095 ext 1020) See her website under Faculty
maria.ibanez@mnps.org |
