What is Dual Language Spanish Immersion?

We have implemented our Dual Language Spanish Immersion Program in the 2019-2020 school year beginning with Kindergarten. Our students are learning in both English and Spanish at Bel Air Elementary School. Students from Kindergarten through 2^nd Grade participate in our Dual Language Immersion Program. In this program children get the opportunity to learn another language early on by receiving 50% of instruction delivered in Spanish, and 50% delivered in English. Students enrolled in the program are being taught Social Studies, Science, and English Language Arts, and Math and Language Arts in Spanish.

This approach provides an enriching learning environment for all students and builds greater cultural awareness and respect. Students develop high levels of speaking, reading, writing and listening in English and Spanish. Teachers deliver the same PWCS curriculum and standards while providing instruction in two languages. During the last decade, multiple research studies have demonstrated the significant cognitive benefits derived from early language learning, as well as the potential long-term educational and career benefits that multilingual students accrue.
https://www.participatelearning.com/blog/benefits-of-a-bilingual-brain/ (Have this video on the page)

What Happens In the Classroom?

Bel Air Dual Immersion students comprise both heritage Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers. Ideally, there is an even balance, so that students learn from each other. Students spend a portion of their day in a Spanish-language classroom learning math, Spanish reading/writing, and the other portion of the day learning reading, writing, science and social studies in English. The students receive lessons from two teachers; one providing academic instruction in English, and the other providing academic instruction in Spanish.

Teachers are native or near-native speakers of the target language. By learning PWCS curriculum in another language, students gain high levels of proficiency in both English and Spanish.

K: Michelle Gomez Schieber is from Guatemala, she is paired with Maureen Dunleavy.

1^st: Cinthia Aguilar Aguilar is from Honduras, she is paired with Alexis Pastor.

2^nd: Mariana Rosales and Rosa Rosas are both from Mexico.

Dual Immersion Schedule

Dual Immersion Program - Grade Level Implementation Chart

Performance Data