How G.L.A.D. Benefits Your Child
Benefits of Being Multilingual
“There are multiple benefits to being multilingual, multiliterate, and multicultural in today’s global society. Knowing more than one language from birth, acquiring a new language through school, or learning languages later in life, can provide tangible advantages in many areas.
From delaying cognitive signs of aging, to earning college credits, and getting a better job offer, multilingualism is an asset that can benefit English learners as well as native English speakers in a variety of ways.”
– US Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition
Brain Development
Learning a second language stimulates the brain to develop higher-level reasoning skills, needed for complex critical thinking in multiple subjects.
Self-Esteem
Children who are educated in two languages have stronger self-esteem with more tolerance for, and more interest in, other cultures.
Community
The whole school community, including parents, is viewed as partners in learning and actively contributes to a holistic educational experience.
Respect
Students acquire a sense of respect for different cultures and the world.
Additional Cognative Benefits
- Improved executive function allows children to better plan, focus, remember, and achieve goals
- Language learners gain better attention control
- Increased mental flexibility improves the ability to quickly switch between tasks
- May delay age-related cognitive decline and illnesses like Alzheimer’s
Improved Educational Outcomes
- Higher academic achievement
- Improved learning outcomes in various subjects
- Bilingualism is associated with increased high school graduation rates
- Greater levels of creativity
- Promotes more abstract thought and better reasoning
- Easier to learn new languages in the future
More Successful Adults
- More job opportunities are available to bilingual adults
- Bilingual employees are paid 5–20% more per hour
- Language skills are in high demand for employment with the Federal Government
Strengthens Community
- Develops awareness and understanding of other world cultures
- Improves empathy for others
- Enhances cultural connections
- Reduces discrimination, improves self-esteem, and strengthens community relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
How will immersing English speakers into a two-way bilingual program affect their abilities in their native language?
Because of the prevalence of the English language in students’ homes and their communities as well as in the American society all around them, students whose native language is English are not considered at risk of losing their fluencies.
A program such as G.L.A.D. allows students the opportunity to learn a new language while still furthering their advancements in the English language. English is not replaced; rather, another language is simply acquired.
Do students and parents need to be bilingual to be successful in the program?
Students and parents do not need to be bilingual to be successful in the program. Students whose native languages are not Spanish or English are also welcome to attend.
Why must my student take an assessment test?
Why must my student take an assessment test?
We aim for each class to be made up of 50% native English speakers and 50% native Spanish speakers. To ensure that we keep this balance, students must apply and undergo a free assessment as part of the application process.
Is Dual Immersion available at every school?
While we are continuously working on expanding the program to more schools, currently G.L.A.D.’s Dual Immersion program is only available at Carpenter Elementary, Imperial Elementary, and Williams Elementary.
Are all teachers authorized to teach Spanish/French?
Yes, all teachers must have their Bilingual Authorization to teach in the target language (Spanish or French).
How will students who speak only English be able to learn effectively when they are instructed for up to 90% of the day in a language they don't understand?
Previous years of research acquired from Canadian programs that apply the two-way immersion method (English-speaking students learning French) has indicated that students in the program score the same or higher on tests than their English-speaking peers who receive instruction solely in English. In the Canadian model, students learning the new language are instructed for up to 100% of the day.
Based on this research and that of 15 years of additional research on two-way immersion programs revealing similar results, we are confident that our program will benefit our students tremendously.
For more information on immersion programs, visit the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition.
What is the Family Commitment?
Research shows that a minimum of five years of intense study are needed to fully develop a second language with academic proficiency. (Cummins, 1989)
Because of this extended amount of time required in order to develop language mastery, we ask that parents agree to commit to our five-year elementary school program. Once students reach second grade, it is far more challenging for students to be able to successfully manage the transition into our dual-language immersion program (unless they are transferring from another DLI program).
What are the next steps?
We will mail letters of acceptance or regret to parents in March. Parents of students who have been accepted will need to attend a Commitment Meeting in which they will learn more about curriculum and instruction and confirm their children’s participation.
Parents must complete and submit enrollment forms to ensure their children are enrolled in our school. The application does not contain all of the information necessary to be enrolled. Inter District Transfer (transferring into DUSD from another district) must begin and then transfer process must be completed with your child’s home school district. Once the home district approves the transfer, it is then brought to DUSD.
If there are any issues with being released from your home district, please contact us. If a transfer student is not accepted into the program, we guarantee a spot at one of our other DUSD elementary schools campuses.
Ready to Get Started?
Expanding G.L.A.D. Horizons: New French Immersion Program
Beginning our 2023-2024 school year, G.L.A.D. will offer French as a second language option. Find out how your child can benefit from this program.
IB Dual-Language vs. Dual-Language Programs
Learn about the important differences between the programs when you are considering the best option for your student.
The Myths vs. Facts of Dual Immersion
We know there are some myths out there that learning a second language can be confusing for children. Let’s dive into some of these myths and get to the facts.