Elementary school teaches Spanish first & English second (Hispanic, compared, education)

[All American NYC]

The school day starts in one Bridgeport classroom with the kindergartners singing their Spanish “Ahh, Bay, Says” instead of ABCs. The children shout “Yo!” instead of “Me!”...Under the school's dual language immersion programs, students start school taught almost exclusively in Spanish. By third grade, teachers will equally divide instruction in Spanish and English...It may seem counter-intuitive for Spanish-speaking students to learn in Spanish if the ultimate goal is English fluency....kindergarten is almost exclusively taught in Spanish, except in special classes including physical education and music.

Your thoughts good or bad thing?

[1AngryTaxPayer]

If the intent of the school is to teach Spanish, no, otherwise a very bad idea.

[Votre_Chef]

Originally Posted by All American NYC

Your thoughts good or bad thing?

I'm curious to see the results of the program for both the students in the class that speak English primarily and Spanish primarily.

But before anyone jumps up and down screaming about it, the article clearly states the program is entirely voluntary, no student is forced to be in it.

In my opinion, kids should have the opportunity to learn languages in school before they hit middle school/junior high.

[Chimuelojones]

if the ultimate goal is that Spanish speaking students to eventually become fluent in English, then how long does that take?

If educators believe it would take on average to the third grade, and work towards that goal...is that not a plan?

If anyone has a better plan, please post it.

[weltschmerz]

It's a dual language immersion program. That's how immersion programs work.

[middle-aged mom]

Originally Posted by Votre_Chef

I'm curious to see the results of the program for both the students in the class that speak English primarily and Spanish primarily.

But before anyone jumps up and down screaming about it, the article clearly states the program is entirely voluntary, no student is forced to be in it.

In my opinion, kids should have the opportunity to learn languages in school before they hit middle school/junior high.

It's too premature to judge.
If in the same position, I likely would have opted my child into the Spanish immersion program.

[Chimuelojones]

I imagine of they are being taught their ABCs in spanish, they are learning the correct pronuciation and the English alphabet. Learing the ABCs in spanich is still learing the ABCs

If I learn that 2 + 2 = 4, it doesnt mater the language used to convey the concept.

I will soon learn that Dos = Two.

[carterstamp]

Originally Posted by All American NYC

Your thoughts good or bad thing?

It couldn't hurt. Children learn a second language a lot easier than adults.

[weltschmerz]

We have very successful immersion programs here. They're ubiquitous. The kids are perfectly bilingual.
Often trilingual.

[charolastra00]

I think it's great and it's a shame that there weren't more of these schools when I was growing up. For most students, picking up Spanish (or any foreign language) starting at 12 or 13 years old for 45 minutes a day is not enough to capture their attention or effectively teach the language.

It also makes sense from the ESL perspective. While people complain about ESL students taking Spanish to get an easy A, it's not always that simple. Speaking a native tongue does not mean that you have a firm grasp on spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, and spelling from birth. Imagine if native English speaking students never took an English class! If a school has a large percentage of Hispanic students, a bilingual English-Spanish school is beneficial for everyone to have a strong, professional command of their languages.

Depending on the demographics, it might make sense to have other languages as a second language. We have a very successful French immersion public school here in Boston that is very difficult to get into. Spanish tends to be the natural fit for many schools because there are SO many Spanish-speaking teachers (even if Spanish is not the subject matter they teach) compared to Chinese, Arabic, or even French speaking teachers.