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Kiddies Dual Language Centre
1. Program Goals
Learning a second language is a 21st-century skill needed for success in our global community.
District Dual Language Program is designed for high academic achievement in all content areas.
Our goals include bilingualism, biliteracy, multi-cultural awareness, and global citizenship.
Students attain high levels of proficiency in both English and Spanish while learning grade-level academic content.
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2. Choose a model that suits your goals.
Before you enroll your child in a program, investigate how their learning will be scheduled and organized.
Some programs split classroom time evenly between the two languages.
Others follow a full immersion model and almost completely eliminate the use of the native language.
Think about what model best suits the learning style and personality of your child.
- For example, if you have a child that is quiet by nature.
- Then a full immersion class might be overwhelming and may cause them to withdraw verbally.
3. Dual Language students:
- Develop literacy, language, and academic achievement in English and Spanish
- Are positive, confident, and excited about learning
- Become bilingual at no cost to their English development
- Gain awareness and appreciation for diverse cultures
- Acquire multitasking and metacognitive skills; encourages strategic and flexible thinking
- Self-monitor, improve memory and develop executive function skills
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4. Make practicing memorable.
Use felt boards to pair objects with their corresponding words.
Use brightly colored materials for vocabulary flashcards.
Make sweeping, expansive gestures when describing certain vocab words.
Pair exaggerated facial expressions with vocab words, too.
Try to make every practice moment exciting.
So that your child will easily remember what you discussed.
- For example, if you are discussing how to say the word “sad” in another language with your child, then you might make a point to fake cry and rub your eyes.
5. Label items throughout your home.
Get a cheap label-making machine or use tape and a marker.
Look over your child’s vocabulary list and find those items in your home.
Then, create labels for each item, showing the name in the new language.
This will help your child to learn the names of items faster and can help you to learn the language, too.
- Don’t feel as if you have to label everything at once.
- Start with a handful of items and continue to add more labels over time.
- For example, you could place a label on food items, such as bread or chips.
- Household locations, such as the kitchen or bathroom, can be labeled as well.
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Kiddies Dual Language Centre
6. Create a designated homework time.
Spend a few weeks getting a feel for how much homework your child will have each night.
Then, set aside a corresponding number of hours each evening just for work.
You might create a designated work space as well, such as the kitchen table or an office space.
Keep to this schedule as closely as possible and your child will come to expect this time.
Which will lessen their stress level.
- It is not uncommon for children in dual language programs to spend at least twice as much time on homework, when compared with traditional students.
- Make sure to not skip working on your child’s homework, no matter how confusing it might seem.
- Work with your child to complete a draft and then communicate with the teacher about your concerns.
Kiddies Dual Language Centre
7. Use the vocabulary on a daily basis.
Try to intermix your native language with the new one as you go about your daily tasks around your child.
Repeat certain phrases or words until your child seems familiar with them, then move along to a new set.
- For example, you could describe doing the laundry in your native language and then repeat your statements in the new language immediately afterwards.
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8. Read aloud at home.
Go to the library and borrow bilingual books.
Take these home and then spend a bit of time, perhaps immediately after dinner.
Reading aloud with your child from the same book.
Focus on a single book at a time until translating becomes effortless.
You can also buy reading primers and complete the exercises together.
- Encourage your child to not be embarrassed to read at a lower level than they are accustomed to.
- Working through children’s literature, in particular, can be a particularly useful way to promote comprehension.
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9. Use technology.
You can buy DVDs in the new language that your child can watch at home.
Or, CDs that they can listen to in the car on the way to/from school. The CDs can be spoken word.
But music can be helpful as well.
You might also spend some time on the computer with your child.
Exploring language education websites, such as Early Lingo.
- Many bilingual education websites, such as ABCmouse, offer brain games that your child can play to improve their language skills.
- There are also a number of bilingual education apps that work on your iPhone and other handheld devices.
- For example, Desert Spanish for Kids, is an app that emphasizes Spanish vocabulary retention.
Kiddies Dual Language Centre
9. Get them together with a native speaker.
Ask a friend or family member who speaks the new language to come over.
And have a few conversations with your child.
It is even better if they can share some of their cultural experiences as well.
As that will help your child to make a connection between learning and real life.
- Make sure to warn this native speaker that your child is still in an early learning phase and may make numerous mistakes. Ask the speaker to be as supportive as possible, while providing constructive criticism.
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10. Sign them up for bilingual extracurricular activities.
If learning the new language is just confined to the classroom, your child may grow bored and lose interest.
Instead, take them to a museum with bilingual exhibits.
Go see a sports match that is announced in the language that your child is learning.
Go browse a farmer’s market in which the vendors speak the other language.
Kiddies Dual Language Centre
11. Enroll in a language program.
Find a way to start learning the same language yourself.
You can buy a learning program, such as Rosetta Stone, or perhaps even get a private tutor.
Keep up with your lessons and talk about your setbacks with your child.
You can also create a study routine that parallels that of your child, to encourage them to keep with it.
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12. Be patient.
It is possible that your student’s grades and test scores might lower a bit while they are enrolled in the program.
They may also be particularly frustrated for the first few weeks as they make learning adjustments.
It is important that you are supportive during these times.
And that you emphasize the long-term goals for your child.
Such as a better chance to travel internationally in the future.
- For example, you might say, “This is just a rough period as you are getting used to the schedule.
- Let’s give it one more week and reassess.”
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13. Communicate directly with the teachers.
From the first day of class, make sure that you stay in contact with your child’s teachers.
Write notes for your child to deliver with any questions that you have over homework or class activities.
Send emails if that is preferred. Stop by the classroom before you pick-up your child.
Don’t waste their time with random visits, but stay in touch.
Kiddies Dual Language Centre
14. Volunteer to help in the classroom.
Offer to serve in the classroom on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
You can spend multiple hours, or just a single one, helping out.
Talk to your child’s teacher about your skill set and how you can be of assistance.
- Be aware that you don’t have to help out directly with the language program in order to benefit your child.
- By simply being in the classroom, you may provide them with much needed confidence and support.
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Kiddies Dual Language Centre
15. Participate in the PTA.
Many dual language programs struggle to find funding for activities and educational materials.
Join the PTA and offer suggestions about how you can help raise monies for the program and classrooms.
This will also provide you with an opportunity to talk with other parents .
About the program and your child’s performance.
16. Attend many school events.
If your child is participating in a small language program, in an otherwise large institution, it could possibly make them feel isolated from the general student population.
Counter this feeling by encouraging them to participate in larger school activities and events.
Such as celebrations or sporting events.
You can go along with them to show your support and enthusiasm.
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17. Kiddies Dual Language Centre
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Push your child to ask questions whenever they are concerned or confused.
This will allow them to participate more fully in the classroom when you are not present.
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Make sure to keep an eye on every child’s progress and make it clear that they can talk with you about any difficulties that they are experiencing.
- Expect that the first year of the program may be tough for your child.
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