Our Dual Language (DL) Immersion Program is a unique educational Early-Total-One-Way (ETOW) Spanish Immersion model open to currently enrolled students in Dual Language Immersion or students in 2nd or 3rd grade Spanish at Lansing Christian School (LCS). The ETOW model of dual language development at LCS starts with a 100% of Spanish language instruction in the elementary grades and introduces English language instruction gradually in the elementary grades moving towards engaging in the dual languages of English and Spanish in junior high for 50% of instruction in both English and Spanish. This program is an example of “One School in Two Languages”, where the dual language program intentionally strives for bilingualism and bi-literacy at no cost to English language development, attainment of academic vocabulary and literacy, cross-cultural competency and growth in empathetic responses to diversity in our world. Currently, LCS is only receiving students into Dual Language Immersion with a 2nd or 3rd grade Spanish language proficiency.
How It Works
No prior knowledge or experience with Spanish is necessary for a student that enrolled in the Dual Language Immersion Program at LCS. The ETOW model of dual language instruction, strategically uses the Language First Systematic approach to learning Spanish. The Language First Systematic approach prioritizes the minority language development (Spanish at LCS), to increase bilingual proficiency and promotes greater access to academic content in both languages of instruction. At LCS, the students currently in the Dual Language program received 100% of their academic instruction in Spanish from kindergarten through 2nd grade. Then, as the students enter third grade through 5th grade, English Specific Skills and some additional academic subjects are to be taught gradually in English, to build academic vocabulary in both Spanish and English. In 6th grade students will receive 50% of academic instruction in Spanish and English.
Partnership
Lansing Christian School partners with add.a.lingua, an organization that helps implement and support successful dual language programs. To learn more visit, the following sites:
- www.addalingua.com
- Instagram: @addalingua
- Facebook: add.a.lingua
- Twitter: @addalingua
