Snapshot of Dual Language Education at Bancroft Elementary  Target Languages: English/Spanish Participating Grades: K - 5th Number of DL classrooms: 20 Subjects taught in Spanish: Reading, writing, math, science Subjects taught in English: Reading, writing, math, social studies, art, music, PE. Bancroft is a dual language (Spanish/English) elementary school. Starting in Kindergarten, students spend half of their academic class time each day working in English with one teacher and the other half working in Spanish with another teacher. There are two teachers in every classroom Kinder to 5th grade. A majority of Bancroft’s students are native Spanish speakers, and its student body as a whole includes children from many nationalities. Bancroft’s early childhood classrooms have a lead teacher and an instructional aide. Classrooms include native speakers of both languages and are structured to expose all children to both languages so they can all be successful in the formal dual language program, which begins in Kindergarten. Bancroft also offers one Pre-S classroom and one Pre-K classroom that are full-immersion Spanish. What is Dual Language Education? Dual Language Education (DLE) is an enriched educational program in which students learn academic subjects in two languages. DCPS Dual Language classrooms usually have a mix of English-dominant and Spanish-dominant students who work together to learn the grade level material in two languages—Spanish and English. Long-term studies of test results show that students in Dual Language programs tend to equal or exceed their peers who are learning in English only and they have the added benefit of having learned a second language! The long-term goals of all DCPS Dual Language education programs are: • Bilingualism • Biliteracy • High Academic Achievement • Cultural Awareness & Appreciation The Benefits of Bilingualism Bilingual children: • Show increased mental flexibility and stronger problem solving skills • Are more willing and able to learn a 3rd language • Generally score higher on verbal standardized test scores in English • Maintain a strong sense of their own identity while developing a sensitivity towards other cultures • Get a head start in competition for universities and jobs in a global economy My child doesn’t speak Spanish. How will s/he understand? Dual Language teachers are trained as both subject area and language teachers and help make lessons understandable by using hands-on learning, visual supports, interactive activities and by teaching subject areas thematically. We don’t speak Spanish at home. Is that a problem? It is not necessary for the new language to be used at home. Dual Language teaching teams work together to make sure that your child is developing both their first and second languages from the early childhood grades and on. How long will it take my child to learn Spanish? Although your child may begin speaking and understanding their new language within a couple of years, research has shown that it can take 4—7 years for students to develop full proficiency. This program requires a long term commitment from parents! Will learning in two languages affect my child’s test scores? No, with your support at home your child should be able to do as well as peers in English-only classrooms and studies have shown that bilingual children often outperform their monolingual peers in time. Can my child start the Dual Language program at any age? It is recommended that children enter the Dual Language program no later than 1st grade so that they can build language skills in the early grades. |