Why should I consider Two-Way Language Immersion for my child?

Because language immersion students…

Develop proficiency in two languages (English and Spanish).

Learn in an ethnically, culturally, and linguistically integrated environment.

Appreciate other cultures while developing a sensitivity toward other people.

Work together cooperatively, developing good social interaction skills.
 

Program Goals:

To develop communication skills and literacy in two languages.

To promote cross-cultural understanding in the classroom.

To increase academic achievement.
 

Entrance Requirements:
 
The lottery is open to any Southwest Elementary student with preference given to those with siblings already enrolled in the program.  We select students to fill the classroom using race, ethnicity, and gender to create a diverse learning environment.  Our goal is to create a balanced class of 50% English-dominant students and 50% Spanish-dominant students.
 
If you live outside of Southwest Elementary's attendance zone, you will need to apply to the office of student assignment for a transfer and be able to provide daily transportation to and from the school. 
 
Non-Spanish speaking students may only enroll in the program in Kindergarten while native Spanish speakers may enroll at any time, depending on availability in the class space. 
 
Parents are strongly encouraged to consider the commitment involved with learning a second language and decide if they are prepared to support this type of learning environment from kindergarten all the way through the end of the 5th grade. 
  

Curriculum Design:
 
The Two-Way Immersion program is a rigorous academic program in which the target language is used as the vehicle of instruction, not the focus.  Monthly thematic units integrate the curriculum, making the target language more meaningful to the students and providing them with enough exposure to practice, use, and extend their vocabulary.  Students receive 50% of their instruction in English and 50% in Spanish.  Literacy, social studies, and science are taught in both languages, while math is taught primarily in Spanish.
 
Teachers engage students in participatory activities requiring responses in the target language.  Hands-on classroom projects provide additional opportunities for students to use the target language.  Teachers use an interactive approach and cooperative learning techniques to encourage students to interact with one another in both languages.
 

Frequently Asked Questions about Two-Way Immersion

(provided by the Center for Applied Linguistic): http://www.cal.org/twi/toolkit/PI/P_QA/parent_qs.htm

Contact Information:

Ari Cohen
Principal 
Southwest Elementary School  

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Phone: 560-3972