Dual Language/Immersion Programs
The focus of dual language/immersion programs is to help majority and/or minority speakers become proficient in the target language while mastering subject content from other disciplines.
A variety of dual language/immersion programs exist in North Carolina. The program is determined by the population served. In Fall 2005, there were seven schools with dual language/immersion programs. Currently, there are more than 30 programs and that number is growing.
Dual Language/Immersion program descriptions and school site information are available below. The 2008-2009 list, sorted by language, district, and program type, can be downloaded in PDF format here: Download 2008-2009 list
A draft K-5 Dual Language Curriculum was completed as part of the state FLAP grant project "Building the K-5 Infrastructure for Dual Language/Immersion Programs." The draft curriculum was written by teachers and administrators representing 11 dual language/ immersion schools in the state to guide the development of foreign language competencies in these programs and is inclusive of all modern foreign languages.
These schools piloted the draft curriculum during the 2006-2007 school year and a revised draft curriculum document, including glossary, resources and activities, is being compiled. We appreciate any feedback you may have on this and encourage you to send comments and questions to Ann Marie Gunter, Second Language Consultant at agunter@dpi.state.nc.us
To view the Draft K-5 Dual Language Curriculum, please go to the Curriculum link on the home page.
Two-Way programs
These programs group native speakers of English with native speakers of the target language. The mix is approximately 50% of each group and both become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural. Instruction is provided both in English and in the target language on alternate days, according to academic subjects, or according to a daily schedule (morning in one language and afternoon in the other.) There are a variety of models, and percentages like 90/10 and 50/50 are used to refer to how much of the instruction at different grade levels is conducted in the target language versus how much is given in English. For example, one school might have 90/10 in K-1 and then move to 50/50 for grades 2-5 while another school starts at 50/50 in kindergarten and continues with that through grade 5.
The following districts have two-way programs:
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Carrboro Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Frank Porter Graham Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Glenwood Elementary (PreK-5), Chinese (Mandarin)
Mary Scroggs Elementary (K-5), Spanish
McDougle Middle School (6-8), Chinese (Mandarin) and Spanish
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Collinswood Language Academy (K-5), Spanish
Oaklawn Language Academy (K-5), Spanish
Chatham County
Siler City Elementary (K-4), Spanish
Durham Public Schools
Southwest Elementary (PreK-5), Spanish
Greene County
Snow Hill Primary (K-2), Spanish
West Greene Elementary (3-5), Spanish
Johnston County
Selma Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Ashley Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Charter School
Casa Esperanza (PreK-5), Spanish
Full Immersion programs
These programs serve native speakers of English in an environment where the target language is used exclusively. Content is delivered in the target language. English Language Arts is introduced around grade 2 or later. The students become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural and are equally proficient in both languages with near-native fluency in the target language.
The following districts have full immersion programs:
Alamance-Burlington Schools
Elon Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Smith Language Academy (K-8), Chinese (Mandarin)
Smith Language Academy (K-8), French
Smith Language Academy (K-8), German
Smith Language Academy (K-8), Japanese
Cumberland County
E. E. Miller Elementary (PreK-5), Spanish
W.H. Owen Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Guilford County
Jones Elementary (PreK-5), Spanish
Kirkman Park Elementary (PreK-5), Spanish
McDowell County
Eastfield Elementary (K-6), Spanish
Onslow County
Clyde Erwin Elementary-School of International Studies and Cultural Arts (K-5), Spanish
Randolph County
Hopewell Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Independent Schools
International Montessori School (PreK-3), French
International Montessori School (PreK-3), Spanish
Kituwah Academy (PreK-5), Cherokee
Partial Immersion programs
These programs serve native speakers of English in an environment where the target language is used for some portion of the day. Content is delivered in the target language and in English, and students become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. They are academically proficient in both languages, though not as fluent in the target language as a full immersion program student.
The following districts have partial immersion programs:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Oaklawn Language Academy (K-5), French
Smith Language Academy (6-8), Spanish
Guilford County
Aycock Middle School (6-8), Spanish
Charter School
Socrates Academy (K-3), Greek
Developmental Bilingual programs
These programs are designed to help non-English speakers learn English as well as maintain and improve their native or heritage language skills. Content is delivered both in English and in the heritage language. Students become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural in a way that honors their need to simultaneously identify and communicate with their heritage or home culture and with the mainstream culture they live and will work in.
The following district has a developmental bilingual program:
Duplin County
Rose-Hill Magnolia Elementary (K-5), Spanish
Posted by h.fasciano | Curriculum: Second Languages & Instructional Resources | Permalink