Stanford University has launched a new website, Understanding Language. The primary goal for this website is to improve academic outcomes for English Language Learners. Various resources such as language-rich teaching practices in various academic areas, related to the new Common Core State Standards, will be coming soon!
Utah offers an impressive array of dual language immersion programs for their elementary school students. In addition to classroom instruction in English, their various state supported dual language programs also include instruction in either Mandarin, French, German, Portuguese or Spanish. The governor of Utah hopes to increase enrollment in these programs to 30,000 students by 2015, setting a strong example for other states to follow. They currently have 58 dual language immersion programs. The majority of students attending these programs are native English speakers.
The California Association for Bilingual Education awards several teachership awards each year to future bilingual teachers. This year, Melissa Madrigal, one of our bilingual candidates from our teacher education program, was selected for this very prestigious award. Miss Madrigal, and all the other winners, will be honored at CABE’s 37th Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Last year, one of our bilingual candidates, Wendy Ramos, was also awarded this honor. She is now a bilingual teacher at a dual immersion school in Santa Ana, CA.
The demand for Spanish speaking bilingual teachers is growing not only in our state, but states like Mississippi as well.
NPR, 1/4/2012: Rise in Spanish Speakers Has Schools Trying to Adapt
Dual language immersion programs are growing in our state and Spanish isn’t the only language that is being offered to students. Mandarin is fast becoming a language of choice for many new dual language programs. Most of these new Mandarin-English dual language immersion programs have more native English speakers attending than native Mandarin speakers.
Los Angeles Times, 12/29/11: Mandarin immersion program flourishes at L.A. school
The Advocates for Language Learning (ALL), an organization created to support the students attending the two way immersion program in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, will be hosting a very informative event regarding their two way program. A panel of bilingual teachers representing grade levels K-12, school principals, and a district administrator will speak about their unique perspectives and experiences in the program. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions to the panel. Graduating seniors, from Laguna Hills High School, will also speak about their personal experiences in the program.
Although intended for the parents of students in their two way immersion program, all are welcome to attend this very informative event.
For more information or if you would like to attend, contact: allsvusd@gmail.com They also have a Facebook page: ALL SVUSD
Spanish Immersion Roundtable
Thursday, November 3, 2011
6:30pm-8:00pm
Gates Elementary School in the Multipurpose Room
23882 Landisview Ave.
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Students speak about their bilingualism and biliteracy achievements as they receive the Seal of Biliteracy at their schools. Congratulations to Californians Together for releasing this inspirational film!
California adopted the Common Core State Standards in August of last year, 2010. Here is something refreshing I read from the document regarding English Language Learners (ELLs):
ELLs bring with them many resources that enhance their education and can serve as resources for schools and society. Many ELLs have first language and literacy knowledge and skills that boost their acquisition of language and literacy in a second language; additionally, they bring an array of talents and cultural practices and perspectives that enrich our schools and society. Teachers must build on this enormous reservoir of talent and provide those students who need it with additional time and appropriate instructional support.
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. (2010, June 2). Application of the Common Core State Standards for ELLs. Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/
As bilingual teachers, it’s good to know that we’ve known this to be very true when we teach our students, on a daily basis, in English, Spanish, Mandarin or any other target language we want them to learn in addition to their first language.
ASCD is offering some informative webinars on the Common Core State Standards.
On October 8, 2011, Governor Brown approved bill AB815, State Seal of Biliteracy, authored by Assemblymember Julia Brownley. This bill will establish a uniform set of criteria for all California school districts recognizing students for their successful academic achievement in English and other world languages. The State Seal of Biliteracy will be recorded on the student’s high school diploma and/or transcripts.
Capistrano Unified School District will be adding a fourth elementary dual language immersion program, but this time the language of choice will be Mandarin, not Spanish. The new program is set to launch next fall, 2012-13, at Bergeson Elementary School in Laguna Niguel.
Information can be found on the school district’s website: Mandarin Language Immersion Program
The OC Register also wrote a news article on 9/26/11: Chinese-English program to open next fall
