What is Partial-Immersion?
Partial immersion is a means of acquiring a foreign language through content matter instruction. Students spend half the day studying the regular grade-level curriculum in classes conducted in the foreign language. The other half of the day is conducted in English. The school district determines the subjects to be taught in the foreign language.
The FCPS program model is based on the highly successful immersion programs that were implemented in many school districts throughout Canada and the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. The uniqueness of an immersion program is that the foreign language is not taught as a subject. Instead, the foreign language becomes the language of instruction for part of the curriculum. Children then acquire the foreign language through interesting and meaningful activities in the language as they learn the concepts of the various subjects included in the elementary curriculum. Research studies show that learning a second language at an early age has a positive effect on intellectual growth and leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and improved listening skills.
Program Model
In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), students learn mathematics, science, and health through the medium of a foreign language (French, German, Japanese or Spanish). Half the school day is spent learning in the foreign language. Students receive instruction in English for language arts and social studies during the other half of the day. Math, science, and health were chosen for the beginning years of development of the foreign language because they use manipulatives and concrete, hand-on activities, both of which help with the natural second language acquisition process. The foreign language immersion teacher teams with the grade-level English teachers to integrate the total FCPS curriculum.
What Are the Goals of Partial-Immersion?
The overall goals of the program are to develop students' communicative and academic proficiency in the target language and in English and for students to succeed academically in all subject areas at levels comparable to those they would have reached if they had been schooled only in English. Another benefit of the program is that students develop multicultural awareness and a more global perspective. The program is aimed at enriching all the students in the school via special exhibits, outside speakers, and other cultural activities.
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FCPS has begun a pilot Two-Way Immersion Kindergarten Program in Spanish in four schools:
- Bailey's Elementary
- Lake Anne Elementary
- London Towne Elementary
- Rose Hill Elementary
Goals of Two-Way Immersion Kindergarten?
The goals of the program are to develop literacy skills in both Spanish and English and to succeed academically in both languages. The students who participate in this full-day kindergarten program come from one of two language backgrounds. Half of the students in the class come from families whose native language is English, and the other half from families whose native language is Spanish.
Program Model
The children are taught half of the school day in English and the other half in Spanish. The students who speak English learn literacy skills that are currently taught in English as well as literacy skills taught in Spanish. Through this exposure, they acquire the Spanish language. The students whose native language is Spanish acquire English literacy while learning literacy skills in Spanish as well, allowing them to strengthen their skills in both languages. Both groups benefit and are able to connect the skills learned across both languages. The instructional program follows the Fairfax County Program of Studies for kindergarten.
Transition to First Grade Partial-Immersion
Students who are selected for the program will continue with their language acquisition through the Elementary Partial-Immersion Program already in place at the school in grades 1-6. Through the partial-immersion model, students continue to develop proficiency in Spanish by using it as a medium for learning. In the partial-immersion programs, approximately half of the school day is spent learning the content of the Fairfax County Public Schools' Program of Studies (i.e., math, science, and health) in the foreign language; the remainder of the instructional program is conducted in English.
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Enrollment Procedures
Parents are encouraged to attend one of the informational meetings before enrolling their child. The dates and times for these meetings are listed below. Meetings listed for grades K & 1st will cover both the Two-Way Immersion Kindergarten and Partial-Immersion.
Transportation will not be provided for students residing outside the immersion school's attendance area.
| Program Sites and Informational Meetings for 2008-2009 Elementary Schools |
|
Language |
Grades |
School |
Date |
Time |
Snow Date |
Time |
|
French |
1st grade |
Herndon Elementary |
January 10, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January
15 |
7:00 PM |
|
French |
1st grade |
Kent Gardens Elementary |
January 8, 2008 |
5:30 PM |
January
9 |
6:00
PM |
|
German |
1st grade |
Orange Hunt Elementary |
January 23, 2008 |
6:30 PM |
January
30 |
6:30 PM |
|
Japanese |
1st grade |
Fox Mill Elementary |
January 16, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January
23 |
7:00
PM |
|
Japanese |
1st grade |
Great Falls Elementary |
January 24, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January
31 |
7:00
PM |
|
Spanish |
K & 1st grade* |
Bailey's Elementary |
February
7, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
February
21 |
7:00
PM |
|
Spanish |
1st grade |
Fort Hunt Elementary |
January 15, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January
22 |
7:00
PM |
| Spanish |
K & 1st grade* |
Lake Anne Elementary |
January
17, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January 22 |
7:00
PM |
| Spanish |
1st grade |
Laurel Ridge Elementary |
January 9, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January 16 |
7:00 PM |
| Spanish |
K & 1st grade* |
London Towne Elementary |
January
24, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January 31 |
7:00 PM |
| Spanish |
1st grade |
Ravensworth Elementary |
January 17, 2008 |
6:30 PM |
January 29 |
6:30
PM |
| Spanish |
K & 1st grade* |
Rose Hill Elementary |
January
10, 2008 |
7:00 PM |
January
23 |
7:00
PM |
* There are seats available in the partial-immersion program for first graders.
Criteria for Enrollment for the Partial-Immersion Program
There are no formal criteria for enrollment because experience and research indicate that all students, regardless of ability level or background, can succeed in immersion programs. This program is open only to residents of Fairfax County. Fairfax County students who live outside the immersion school's attendance area are eligible to enroll, but parents must provide transportation.
Enrollment Procedures
Students who reside outside the attendance area are also eligible but parents must provide transportation. Parents will be notified by mail about selection or placement on a waiting list.
Registration
for 2008-2009 will open January 4th.
Two-Way Immersion Kindergarten Program
Criteria for Enrollment for Two-Way Immersion Kindergarten Program
Registration
for 2008-2009 will open January 4th.
Enrollment Criteria
The Two-Way Immersion Kindergarten Program is only open to residents of Fairfax county. Because the focus of the program is on literacy skills in both English and Spanish, fifty percent of the class is comprised of students whose primary language is Spanish and the other fifty percent of the class is comprised of students whose primary language is English.
Enrollment Procedures
Students who reside outside the attendance area are also eligible but parents must provide transportation. Parents will be notified by mail about selection or placement on a waiting list. After the registration date, late registration forms will be available from the foreign language office.
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Transition to Middle School
Elementary immersion students move on to middle school where a transition program is in place. Students are transitioned from content-based instruction to sequential foreign language study.
In grade 7, students continue to develop proficiency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students study the customs, culture, and geography of the countries where the foreign language is spoken. As an elective course, students have an opportunity to explore art, music, culture, drama, and literature in the foreign language. This course counts as one foreign language credit toward the fulfillment of the foreign language requirement for the advanced studies diploma, as well as toward the total number of credits required for graduation.
In grade 8, students continue to develop proficiency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The role of international business and technology is explored. This course counts as one foreign language credit toward the fulfillment of the foreign language requirement for the advanced studies diploma, as well as toward the total number of credits required for graduation.
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Benefits of Being Bilingual
(from the Center for Applied Linguistics)
Learning a second language at an early age...
- Has a positive effect on intellectual growth.
- Enriches and enhances a child's mental development.
- Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
- Improves a child's understanding of his or her native language.
- Gives a child the ability to communicate with people he or she would otherwise not have had the chance to know.
- Opens the door to other cultures and helps the child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
- Gives the child a head start in language requirements for college.
- Increases job opportunities in many careers in which knowing another language is a real asset.
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