Spanish DLIP Academy
About the Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program (SDLIP)
— Dual Language Immersion Model
—Commitment to Program
FAQs
Q: How does the program work?
A: By combining native English and native Spanish speakers, the DLIP classrooms allow students to excel in development of both languages. The program follows the California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE) Two-Way 90:10 Model, with Kindergarten taught 90% in Spanish, 10% in English. At each subsequent grade level, the amount of instruction in English is increased so that by fifth grade, students are taught 50% in each language.
Q: Does the program cost anything?
A: No. The program is free. It is supported by a federal grant and administered through the Pasadena Unified School District. Plans to extend learning through middle and high school are currently in development.
Q: How can students learn in Spanish if they don't speak or understand it?
A: Critical period theories of language development suggest that before puberty, the brain readily absorbs a second language. The “difficult” tones of spoken Spanish are easy to master for young learners! SDLIP teachers are trained to strategically convey instructional content using songs, visual aids, exaggerated gestures, and many hands-on activities.
Q: How do dual language immersion students perform on standardized tests?
A: The curriculum is aligned with California State Standards in all subjects. Immersion students achieve at or better than their mainstream peers on the English Language Arts California Standards Test (ELA CST)-which has been replaced with the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) in California- and also demonstrate excellent proficiency in other subject areas. The Schools offering Spanish immersion programs consistently rank among the best-performing schools statewide, in math and English as well as in Spanish.