For parents interested in learning about the Spanish immersion language program at Clearview Elementary, the school is offering a number of opportunities for them to observe, ask questions, and discover if the program would be a good fit for their child.

 

Thursday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m., parents are invited to language information night at Clearview, where they’ll be able to learn about the immersion program, ask questions and discover why becoming bilingual at an early age is beneficial to children.

 

Clearview is also offering opportunities for interested persons to take a tour of the program from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on the following days: Monday, Jan. 14, Wednesday, Jan. 16, Wednesday, Jan. 23, Monday, Jan. 28, Wednesday, Jan. 30, or by appointment.

 

Clearview has offered their popular and successful Spanish immersion program for over 10 years. Students in grades K-5 are taught math, science, social studies, language arts and health in Spanish, as well as formal English instruction in grades 3-5. 

 

Each year the school also welcomes new Amity Interns, native speakers from foreign countries that come to the United States to spend the school year working with students who are learning to speak their native language.

 

Amity interns are similar to student teachers and offer invaluable benefits to the students. Spanish immersion students gain the unique experience of having native speakers in their classrooms, and all students are able to learn about other countries from those who live there.

 

Research has consistently shown that immersion students do as well or better than comparable non-immersion students on measures of verbal and mathematical skills.

 

The goals of the immersion programs are for students to effectively communicate in a second language, to acquire the same English skills as students in English-only programs, and to acquire greater knowledge, understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

 

The benefits to children learning two languages are numerous, including enhanced academic and linguistic performance in both languages, physically enhanced brain development, increased attendance in higher education, an expanded world view and greater career and social opportunities. 

 

Along with its Spanish immersion program at Clearview, District 742 also offers Chinese immersion at Madison Elementary School in St. Cloud

For more information on District 742’s immersion programs, visit isd742.org/immersion.