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What is Dual Language Immersion?

In 2008, the Utah Senate passed the International Initiatives (Senate Bill 41), creating funding for Utah schools to begin Dual Language Immersion programs in Chinese, French, and Spanish. In addition, then-Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. initiated the Governor’s Language Summit and the Governor’s World Language Council both with a goal to create a K-12 language roadmap for Utah. These groups aimed to address the needs for language skills in business, government, and education. In 2010, current Governor Gary Herbert and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Larry Shumway issued a challenge to Utah educators to implement one hundred Dual Language Immersion programs throughout Utah by 2015, with a goal of enrolling 30,000 Utah students. Due to the early success of the program and public demand, Governor Herbert and State Superintendent Shumway have moved the target completion date to 2014, with a continuing goal to mainstream Dual Language Immersion programs throughout the Utah public school system. Portuguese was added to the program for the 2012-13 school year.

JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAM    Chinese-wordsort-300x290

Jordan School District DLI Program uses a fifty-fifty model, in which students spend half of their school day in the target language and the other half-day in English. Students begin in 1st grade. Our schools with Dual Language Immersion program are required to implement the fifty-fifty model and use two teachers, one who instructs exclusively in the target language for half of the day and a second who teaches in English for the remainder of the day.

 

From first grade through third grade, the target language curriculum includes literacy study and the majority of the content subjects (math, science, and social studies). The English curriculum focuses on English language arts and some collaborative reinforcement of the content. Teamwork is essential! The curriculum shifts in the fourth and fifth grades, as most conceptual instruction in math and social science is taught in English. Practical application of these subjects remains in the target language. In the sixth grade, social science shifts back to the target language and science shifts to English instruction. These curriculum changes in the upper grades purposefully allow for more instruction time in the target language, focusing on literacy study and increasing student proficiencies. Specific proficiency goals for every Dual Language Immersion language are set at each grade level in all areas: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

 

The Utah Dual Language Immersion Program then offers one course in grades seven through nine. Participating students are expected to enroll in Advanced Placement language coursework and complete the AP exam in either the ninth or tenth grade. In grades ten or eleven through twelve, students will be offered upper division university-level coursework through blending learning with six major Utah universities.

THE BENEFITS of DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION

  1. Second Language Skills: Students achieve high proficiency in the immersion language.
  2. Performance on Standardized Tests: Immersion students perform as well as or better than non-immersion students on standardized tests in English.
  3. Cognitive Skills: Immersion students typically develop greater cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention control, better memory, and superior problem-solving skills as well as an enhanced understanding of their primary language.
  4. Cultural Competency:Immersion students are more aware of and generally show more positive attitudes towards other cultures & an appreciation of other people.
  5. Long Term Benefits:Immersion students are better prepared for the global community and job markets where 21st century skills are an asset.

HOW ARE STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR A DLI PROGRAM?

  • In order for a child to be accepted into a dual language immersion program, parents must first complete and submit an application and commitment form for the desired program by the due date.
  • Applications and commitment forms can be picked up at local schools or printed off online, then delivered to respective local schools.
  • Once an application and commitment form has been received, students are randomly selected for a dual immersion program based upon the following criteria:
    • Priority is given to students who live within the school boundaries.
    • If there is room in the program for additional students after boundary students have been accepted, students living outside the school boundaries within the district will be accepted, but there will be no busing available for out-of-boundary students.
    • After meeting the above considerations, students living outside district boundaries will be accepted, but there will be no busing available for out-of-boundary students.

When should parents submit students' applications for a Dual Language Immersion program?

  • An application must be submitted by February 26, 2021, before the student enters 1st grade.
  • There is no waiting list for the initial application; however, if a student is not randomly selected, that student's name may be placed on a waiting list until the beginning of the school year.

Where can parents learn more about the Dual Language Immersion programs?

  • Individual meetings have been scheduled at all Dual Language Immersion schools where parents will receive detailed information and will have the opportunity to ask questions.
  • School websites may provide additional information for that school's program.

Jordan School District Dual Language Immersion Guidelines

  • The goal of the Dual Language Immersion program as defined by USBE is to create a K-12 language roadmap for Utah to address the needs for language skills in business, government, and education.  Jordan School District supports this goal and works to create an environment where students can participate in the benefits of learning a second language.

In addition to the USBE Dual Language Immersion assurances and criteria, the following guideline will be used to make decisions as needed.

In the event that a student decides to withdraw from the Dual Language Immersion program, they would not be eligible to return to the program at a later date.

Teacher Qualification
Utah Teaching License:

  • English Teachers are required to have an Elementary Utah Teaching License.
  • Target Language Teachers (Chinese, French, Spanish, and Portuguese) are required to have an Elementary or Secondary Utah Teaching License, or be accepted into the Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) program.
  • Guest Target Language Teachers are required to have a Utah International Guest Teaching License

Endorsements:

  • English Teachers are strongly recommended to have an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement in two-way Dual Language Immersion programs.
  • Target Language Teachers are required to have both World Language Endorsement in the immersion language and a Dual Language Immersion Endorsement.
  • Application for USBE DLI Endorsement

Praxis Information: