Las Palmas Elementary - Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

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Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

¡Learning en Dos Lanugages!
Dual Lanugage Immersion in Twin Rivers

Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) Programs are language learning and academic instruction for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language. The goals of dual-language immersion programs are language proficiency and academic achievement in students’ first and second languages, and cross-cultural understanding.

Las Palmas Elementary School offers an English/Spanish DLI Program in our Early Childhood Education programs with half-day preschool students. We also offer DLI for students in Kindergrarten - 6th grade. The DLI Program at Twin Riviers Unified School DIstrict is also offered at Madison Elementary School as well as at Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy. The DLI Program is a part of the English Learner Department of Twin Rivers Unified.

Las Palmas Elementary School's DLI Program is a 50:50 English/Spanish model, meaning that all students in the program receive 50% of their daily instruction in English and 50% in Spanish. Many people think that only Language Arts is taught i both languages, but students in the DLI Program receive instuction in all academic areas in both languages: math, science, reading, writing, and even PE. Many also beleive that students in the DLI Program receive instruction in one language, and then receive the same intruction in the other language. This is not correct. Student simultaneously learn material in both languages and will continue their lessons from one language into the next, truly building bilingual, biliterate learners.

In our Kindergarten - 6th Grade DLI Program, one class of students will start their mornings with the "English" teacher, and the other class of students will start their mornings with the "Spanish" Teacher. Half-way through the school day, the classes will "switch", and the group learning in Engluish in the morning will finish the school day, and learn the subjects taught in the afternoon on Spanish. Meanwhile, the class that started in Spanish will transition to their English class and finish the day leanring the subjects taught in the afternoon in English. Every week, the two classes in each grade level will also switch where they start their mornings, so that each class is also learning both languages for the morning leassons as well as for the afternoon lessons. With this model, we ensure that every student receives equal instruction in both language of all subject matter.

Having two teachers supporting DLI students is just one benefit of the DLI Program. According to the U.S. Department of Education, multilingualism provides educational, cognitive, sociocultural, and economic benefits for those students who attain fluency in more than one language.

COGNITIVE BENEFITS	EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS	SOCIOCULTURAL BENEFITS	ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Increased executive function: Attentional Control Task switching (mental flexibility) May delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline and the onset of illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease Increased intellectual flexibility	Comparable or higher achievement of students in dual language programs as compared to students in English-only programs Improved learning outcomes in various subjects Associated with increased high school graduation rates among children of immigrants Leads to increased levels of creativity Promotes higher levels of abstract thought and reasoning Engenders enhanced metalinguistic awareness to support the learning of languages in the future	Greater understanding of other world cultures Increased empathy development Enhanced connection to heritage cultures Promotes global awareness, reduced discrimination, improved self-esteem, and stronger cross-group relationships	Greater job opportunities in multiple public and private sectors Greater business opportunities Raises occupational status and earning potential Language skills are in high demand for employment with the Federal Government

WEST CAMPUS DLI TEACHERs

ECE/Preschool Teachers

Ms. Sulema (English) and Ms. Susy (Spanish)

Kindergarten Teachers

Ms. Roberts (English) and Sra. Roasles (Spanish)

1st GradeTeachers

Ms. Guerra (English) and Sra. Ortiz (Spanish)

2nd Grade Teachers

Ms. Yeng Vang (English) and Sra. Lomeli (Spanish)

EAST CAMPUS DLI TEACHERs

3rd Grade DLI Teachers

Ms. Bird (English) and Sra. Rogers (Spanish)

4th Grade DLI Teachers

Mr. Shinoda (English) and Sr. Carrazana (Spanish)

5th Grade DLI Teachers

Ms. Murray (English) and Sra. Martinez (Spanish)

6th Grade DLI Teachers

Ms. Aguilar-Nuñez (English) and Sra. Carrazana (Spanish)

WANT TO LEARN MORE? INTERESTED IN ENROLLING YOUR CHILD IN DLI?

If you have questions about our DLI Program, or if you are interested in discovering how to enroll your child in this incredible program, please contact our School Office for more details, and to being the process of enrolling your child in our DLI Program.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all students will qualify for the DLI Program.

Students do not need to know Spanish or live in a Spanish speaking household to be enrolled in the DLI Program when they start Kindergarten. Any family can request to have their child be in the DLI Program. However, there are circumstances that may prevent your child from being able to participate in the program.

Limited Space - space in the DLI Program is limited to 2 classrooms for each grade level. Student:Teacher ratios in the DLI Program mirror all other classrooms in that grade. If full, you child will be placed on the waiting list.

Limited Language Proficiency - as the grade level increases, so does the need for higher Spanish language proficiency for a student to be successful in the program. Students who do not begin the program in the early grades will be assessed to ensure that they have the opporutnity to be successful if transferred to the DLI Program.