Why Spanish Immersion?
Children who have been exposed to a foreign language early often learn to read faster and with greater ease because they are able to recognize the relationship between letters and their sounds without the help of visual objects. Exposure to a second language clearly benefits children’s reading abilities. -(American Psychological Association May 1997) Children who learn a second language typically have better problem solving abilities, better reasoning skills, and are more creative. -(ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages & Linguistics).
Children with bilingual skills outperform similar monolingual children on both verbal and nonverbal tests of intelligence and typically, have higher SAT or standardized test scores. – (Department of Education, USA & ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages & Linguistics)
Why start so early?
Children have the capacity to develop new language more naturally than adults. Between the ages of 0 – 5 years old, children’s brains are prepared for language development. “The power to learn language is so great in the young child that it doesn’t seem to matter how many languages you throw their way.
They can learn as many spoken languages as you allow them to hear systematically and regularly.” – (Learning Languages, Winter 1996). “Studies have shown, and experience has supported, that children who learn a language before the onset of adolescence are much more likely to have a native-like pronunciation.” – (ERIC)
“Languages are for life and they can’t be taken away once you have learned them. By helping your child and continuing to help her, you’ll have a lasting contribution to her quality of life and understanding of others and their culture.”
– (Hodder and Stoughton Educational, 1994).
Will learning a second language interfere with my child’s ability to speak English?
Learning another language typically does the opposite! It enhances a child’s English ability. Children can learn more about the English language by learning the structure of other languages. Young children are prime candidates for learning a second language.
They have an innate cognitive ability to grasp languages as easy as learning a first language. Young children have an amazing ability to hear and reproduce new sounds allowing them to acquire languages quickly in a native and fluent manner! Exposing children to a second language not only gives them the ability to communicate with more people but also teaches them to appreciate and respect other cultures and people that are different from themselves.
Will my child be fluent? How long will it take?
Achieving high levels of oral proficiency in a second language is a long-term process. A long term commitment is essential. Children may not reach proficiency in every skill area. However, your child will have a strong second language base upon which to continue moving toward full proficiency.
Language learning is influenced by many factors, including students’ personality and motivation, teacher expectations, parental support and program leadership. Student success requires the active involvement of all of these stakeholders.