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About Our Program
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About Our Program
Our unique Spanish Immersion program begins in kindergarten with 100% immersion in the Spanish language. The K-2 curriculum is taught completely in Spanish beginning with the first day of school. The Spanish language is established as a real means of communication. All subjects taught in the regular English classrooms are also taught in the Spanish Immersion classrooms in the corresponding level. Third grade is the first year the curriculum includes instruction in English. While 80% of the curriculum remains in Spanish, 20% is taught in English. In fourth grade the percentage of English instruction increases to 40%.
  
FAQ’S
Q: What are the benefits of participation in the Spanish Immersion program?
(adapted from a statement by Dawn Hobill, Mendon-Upton Spanish Immersion program parent)
A: Early immersion programs benefit children by enabling them to gain a far greater proficiency in a second language than any other type of second language program. Academically, students enhance their problem-solving skills and their ability to decipher meaning from words in context. Learning a second language opens up a whole new world for our children by exposing them to the variety of cultures of people from Spanish-speaking countries.
Q: What can you do, as parents, to help your child in the Spanish Immersion program?
A: Parents play an important role in their child’s education. You may influence your child’s learning style, attitude towards learning and his/her academic development. Your child will need some time to adjust to his/her new learning environment. Be supportive of your child, the program and the teacher.
Q: What will happen to child's skills in English?
A: Your child’s ability to communicate in English will remain unaffected. Remember, your child lives in an English-speaking world. However, because your child will learn to read and write in Spanish before formal English language arts instruction begins, he or she may lag behind in these areas for a brief period.
Q: Should I teach my child to read English at home?
A: We encourage parents to read to their children and help their children learn to read in English whenever their child is ready. One of the key concepts of immersion programming is that literacy skills are transferred from the language in which they are learned (Spanish) to the next language (English). Decoding, comprehension, context clues, textual analysis and other reading skills are non-language specific. Once students in the third grade are taught English-specific vowel and consonant blend sounds, they will easily be able to decode English text.
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Mendon-Upton Regional School District
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