About Dual Language Immersion at Lynwood Elementary
Dual Language Immersion is a unique educational model where children learn to think, read, write and communicate naturally in two languages: English and Spanish.
Native Spanish speakers and native English speaking students learn together, beginning in TK/Kindergarten through 5th grade, to be biliterate in both languages.
Lynwood’s dual language classrooms contain a mix of students who are English dominant with students who are dominant in Spanish. This mix of students provides intensive interaction and learning. Students who participate in the program do not have to be native speakers of Spanish.
Lynwood’s Dual Immersion Program Structure
The following are used as guiding principles:
- Assessment and Accountability
- Curriculum
- Instruction
- Staff Quality and Professional Development
- Program Structure
- Family and Community
- Support and Resources
What is Dual Language Immersion?
Also called two-way Immersion, it is a form of language rich education where approximately equal numbers of students from language majority (English) and language minority (Spanish) homes are integrated and receive content and literacy instruction through both languages. Dual immersion is the only bilingual program model that enhances the educational experiences of both groups by bringing them together in a single classroom environment where they can serve as resources for each other.
Students from the two language groups attend class together, learning from one another and supporting each other’s second language acquisition. Both groups of students develop linguistic and academic competence in two languages: their native language and one more. Academic instruction is structured so that the two languages are separated and used at designated times. This provides all students with the opportunity to be successful language role models and as second language learners.
How does the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program work?
DLI is a rigorous standards-based academic program in which the target language (Spanish) is used as the vehicle of instruction, not the focus. Classrooms consist of half native Spanish speaking students and half native English speaking students. Thematic units integrate the curriculum, making the target language more meaningful to the students and provides the students with enough exposure to practice, use and extend his/her vocabulary. Teachers engage students in active participation activities requiring responses in the target language. Hands-on classroom projects provide additional opportunities for students to use the target language. Teachers use a reciprocal-interactive approach and cooperative learning techniques to encourage students to interact with one another in the second language.
Goals For Our Students
Content Areas Divided By Language of Instruction
How does the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program work?
DLI is a rigorous standards-based academic program in which the target language (Spanish) is used as the vehicle of instruction, not the focus. Classrooms consist of half native Spanish speaking students and half native English speaking students. Thematic units integrate the curriculum, making the target language more meaningful to the students and provides the students with enough exposure to practice, use and extend his/her vocabulary. Teachers engage students in active participation activities requiring responses in the target language. Hands-on classroom projects provide additional opportunities for students to use the target language. Teachers use a reciprocal-interactive approach and cooperative learning techniques to encourage students to interact with one another in the second language.
