What is Language Immersion?

There are several models of immersion in UCPS schools. Learn specifics about the Dual Language Immersion programs at each school.

• Our daughters are thriving in a warm, loving environment. The Mandarin program offers a school day rich, with learning experiences. As a parent, I am very pleased with the support, vision and guidance, the administration and teachers offer.” Lisi R (Marvin Parent)
• We feel very blessed that my children are receiving this opportunity and highly recommend the program to any parent wanting to expand their child’s horizons.” Angela B. (Western Union Parent)

• "I'm so honored to be able to offer this program at Kensington. To think that we are able to give the children the valuable opportunity to become fluent in another language - not only are we giving our students the gift of a second language, but we're also giving the gift of exposure and acceptance of diversity and increased critical thinking abilities. We're opening up doors for these children that others may not have! What an amazing thing to offer our students". Rachel Clarke
• “We’re confident our immersion program will help students in the future become more aware of the world around them without thinking about limits and borders. Our SPLASH students respect cultural differences knowing that those differences are what make people around the world unique, varied, and wonderful.” Scott Spencer, Principal
• “Students in the immersion program at Unionville show great self- confidence and exhibit high time on task in the classroom.” Sharyn VonCannon, Principal

The focus of dual language/immersion programs is to help students become proficient in a target language, in addition to English. These students master subject content from other disciplines, using the target language or both languages.

Research shows:

• All students develop high levels of proficiency in the target language and English.
• Academic performance of students is at or above grade level.
• Students demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors.

The first DLI program was launched in North Carolina in the 1990-91 school year. By 2005, there were seven schools with dual language/immersion programs. Currently, there are over 170 programs and that number is growing.

We can benefit from the significant amount of research and educational articles that are available about Dual Language Immersion.

Research

• Raising Bilingual Children: Common Parental Concerns and Current Research (in Spanish and English) 
• Benefits of a Bilingual Brain English Version Spanish Version The Center for Applied Linguistics addresses parent worries about language learning.
• What the Research Says About Immersion - Dr. Fortune from the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition addresses benefits in these realms: academic and education, language and literacy, cognitive skill development and economic and sociocultural.
• Chinese Language Learning in the Early Ages - The Asia Society addresses program models, qualified teachers, resources and literacy development. 
• Oral Proficiency in the Work Place - ACTFL points out what types of proficiency levels are necessary for different jobs. Longer dedication to language learning yields higher benefits. 
• The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain - 5 minute TedX YouTube video that explains the types of bilinguals
• Astounding Effectiveness - The North Carolina Story  Dr. Virginia Collier and Dr. Wayne Thomas, Professors Emeritus at George Mason University, have conducted a longitudinal study of North Carolina's dual language/immersion programs. This link was included as Chapter 5 in Thomas & Collier's book, Dual Language Education for a Transformed World (ISBN: 978-0-9843169-1-5).

Articles

• Learning A Second Language: How Can Parents Help  Attitude, practice, resources, cultural events and advocacy help.  
• Getting Reading for Kindergarten Some basic tips in preparing students for kindergarten expectations yield results, especially in dual language immersion programs. 
• Preparing Your Child (And You) for Dual Language Kindergarten - The author addresses benefits, preparation, fears and questions.  

This short video, produced by Granite School District in Utah, does a wonderful job explaining how student proficiency is developed in an immersion program.

“It is important to acknowledge that early studies carried out in one-way total immersion programs, where English may not be introduced until grades 2–5, show evidence of a temporary lag in specific English language skills such as spelling, capitalization, punctuation, word knowledge, and word discrimination. That said, these studies also find that within a year or two after instruction in English language arts begins, the lag disappears. There were no long-term negative repercussions to English language or literacy development.” Tara Fortune

Be positive and encourage your child. Praise your child for their accomplishments in the new language. Do not compare your child’s growth in the new language to other children. Children learn to walk, talk, read and write at different paces. Provide opportunities for your child to interact with people of other languages, watch movies, have access to online or IOS apps and books, and to engage in cultural events in the new culture and language. 

Reading to and with children on a daily basis is the best foundation you can give your child for academic success. Ask and answer questions with your child about the story, the drawings, new information and the story’s meaning. Provide books for your child from the library or from the bookstore. Provided drawing and writing paper for your child.

You'll gain:

• Language proficiency in two languages
• Enhanced cognitive skills
• Greater self-esteem and self-identity
• Increased cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Global competence
• Career skills for the national and international market

You'll learn with:

• Academic rigor
• High engagement

Union County Public Schools partners with Participate Learning in providing experienced, highly qualified, North Carolina licensed teachers who are native speakers of Mandarin Chinese or Spanish to educate the students in the dual language immersion programs.