Dual Language Immersion — Spanish

English speaking students spend half of the day learning subjects in Spanish and the other half learning in English. Students are taught the appropriate curriculum for their grade, but will hear the subject matter in Spanish.

Both English and Spanish curriculums are in alignment with state testing. Students are provided with ample English instruction in all subjects to prepare for AIMS assessments.

Our world is rapidly shrinking, and we are increasingly dependent upon communication and understanding among people of diverse beliefs and backgrounds. By choosing an immersion program, you are challenging and stimulating your child’s cognitive, social and linguistic development, giving them a unique advantage for tomorrow’s world.

Research has shown immersion to be the most effective way to learn language. For more than 20 years, research in Canada and the United States has documented the impressive development of second language fluency and academic achievement of children in immersion programs. At the same time, immersion students maintain and enrich their native language and literacy skills. Studies have also shown that bilingual students perform better than monolingual students in tasks that call for divergent thinking, pattern recognition and problem solving. Research shows that students who learn a second language at an early age meet or exceed state AIMS standards.

Research has consistently shown that beyond the second year of language learning, students will perform as well as or better than their non-language learning peers. 

We now offer DLI in Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade at Pueblo.The program will continue through middle school and high school. Open enrollment students are encouraged to apply. Pueblo invites student transfers from other programs. Reserve your child’s space by enrolling early. Parents are asked to commit a minimum of seven years to the program to gain maximum benefit. This dedication is necessary for students to be able to read, write and speak in two languages by sixth grade.

Many homework assignments are provided in both languages. Online textbooks are available in English for parent reference. Teachers communicate regularly and are available for questions.

Parents are asked to continue reinforcing English language development skills at home by reading and discussing books with their child.

There may be an initial adjustment or “silent” period as children begin listening to the new language. A combination of activities, including singing and games, help children feel more comfortable and competent in the program, and they begin speaking by the second grade.