Author: gustavorernesto

Dual Language Immersion Program – Mountain View Elementary School will open a dual immersion program for kindergartners this fall, with teachers integrating both English and Spanish curriculums.

Dual language immersion aims to build bilingualism and biliteracy, the district says, as native English and native Spanish speaking students “speaking, reading, writing, adding, subtracting, experimenting and singing” in both languages. Mountain View principal Rria Cruz-Soto, whose first language is Spanish, remembers entering kindergarten on the East Coast as an English Language Learner.

“I remember relying heavily on a student who spoke Spanish,” she said. “The English dominant speakers will rely on the Spanish dominant speakers to get through. I remember that one student who could help me get through. We’re still friends to this day.”

As a former principal at a dual language elementary school that offered preschool through fifth grade multilingual instruction, Ms. Cruz-Soto said the success of the program relies heavily on maintaining a balanced enrollment.

“Starting at three years old, we offered Spanish only. Then at four years old it was split 50/50,” she said. “It’s very important to have those Spanish speakers in the program.” Read more.

What is a Dual Immersion Program?

Dual Language Immersion is a way to learn academic content while acquiring another language at the same time. Students receive math, science, or social studies instruction in a target language, such as Spanish, French, or Chinese. Because of the teaching strategies used, the students learn the concepts and skills for the subject area. Developing the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in another language.

The goals are for the students to develop literacy skills in both English and the target language. Such as Spanish, French, or Chinese while attaining academic achievement that is at or above their grade level as measured by Utah core testing.

Furthermore students will develop a world cultural sensitivity. We strive to prepare Granite School District students academically, linguistically and socially for the challenges and needs of our global community.

After reading “Dual Language Immersion Program “, you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs. And visit my channel by YouTube.

New Zealanders compete in Chinese language – The overseas preliminary rounds of the 12th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese proficiency competition for foreign secondary school students kicked off at the Wellington Gallery here on Friday.

The competition was divided into Junior Group, Senior Group and Tertiary Group, and included two sections, the speech and displaying a talent. The top key words mentioned in students’ speech are Chinese food, travelling to China, making friends with the Chinese people.

Dressed in a traditional Chinese long gown, Jimah Ruland Umata used different Chinese local accents to speak Xiangsheng (Solo Talkshow), which amused the audience. Furthermore, he also annotated the meaning of Chinese character “he”, originally from the different sounds of plants in a harmonious tune, to indicate that people from different culture and language backgrounds could live together in peace.

Lesieli Katoa and Neesha Dixon both stunted the audience by the fluent and humorous Chinese language and in-depth thinking on Chinese and Western culture gap. They both secured the first and second prize of the Junior group match.

Oliver Church from Scots college said “I chose to learn Chinese because of my father. He loves Chinese food but always feels nervous to read the menu. Now ordering meal in a Chinese restaurant is my job.”

Rebecca Needham, head of the Confucius Institute of Victoria University of Wellington, said, “I am delighted this year to see a record number of students entering the Wellington Regional round of the Chinese Bridge Speech Competition. Not only do we have a greater number of contestants, but also a particularly high standard of Chinese language and cultural competence on display.”

“It is great to see a growing number of young New Zealanders learning Chinese, a skill that will help them with making friends, job opportunities, travel, and more generally with cognitive development,” She added.

The competitors impressed the judges and the audience with their fluent Chinese and authentic expressions. They demonstrated passion towards Chinese language and culture, and related their stories about learning Chinese and their Chinese friends very clearly.

Learn more about this topic by reading this article on Xinhuanet. 

After reading “New Zealanders compete in Chinese language”, you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs. And visit my channel by YouTube.