Dual Language Program

  • Philosophical Overview

    In alignment to District 300’s central mission, to provide engaging and inclusive educational experiences that empower and equip all students to discover, innovate, and succeed now and in the future, the English Learners department provides dual language students with a quality education that will enable them to attain English and Spanish proficiency so all students become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural, achieve academically, and continuously strive to eliminate the achievement gap within a socially, linguistically and culturally supportive environment.

    Overview of Grade Levels

    In elementary schools, dual language students follow a specific language allocation model depending on their grade level. Based on the language allocation, content areas are taught in English or Spanish for a specific amount of time. 

    Grade Level: K - 1

    Language Allocations: 70/30 - 70% Spanish 30% English

    Spanish Language: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies as content areas taught in Spanish

    English Language: Language Arts

    Other: STEM, PE, Art, Music

    Grade Level: 2

    Language Allocations: 70/30 - 70% Spanish 30% English

    Spanish Language: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies as content areas taught in Spanish

    English Language: Language Arts

    Other: STEM, PE, Art, Music

    Grade Level: 3 - 5

    Language Allocations: 50/50 - 50% Spanish 50% English

    Spanish Language: Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies as content areas taught in Spanish

    English Language: Language Arts, Math

    Other: STEM, PE, Art, Music

    In middle school: Dual language students follow the same nine period day as their peers not in the dual language program. All dual language students receive Spanish instruction in the content area of social studies and are enrolled in a Spanish literacy elective class. All other content areas and electives are taught in English.

    Dual Language is currently not offered at the high school level. The English Learners department is developing and looking into different options to incorporate the dual language philosophies within our high schools.

  • David Rojas

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     Director of EL Services

    and World Languages

     

    David Rojas

     

    David.Rojas@d300.org

     

Additional Information

  • About The Dual Language Program

    Serving nearly 2,600 students K-8, the District 300 Dual Language Program aims to ensure that all linguistically diverse students receive a quality education that enables them to succeed academically, close the achievement gap, and attain proficiency in English and Spanish socially within a culturally supportive environment.

    What is the Dual Language Program?

    The Dual Language Program is a form of bilingual education where students are taught literacy and academic content in two languages (English and Spanish). The District 300 Dual Language Program offers students a unique opportunity to excel academically while learning a second language.

    Who can enroll in the Dual Language Program?

    The Dual Language Program is open to any students (Grade K-3) whose primary language is not English. Native English speakers must enroll in the Dual Language Program at Kindergarten.

    How can students enroll in the Dual Language Program?

    For students whose home language is not English, eligibility is determined by criteria established by the Illinois State Board of Education in accordance with Illinois Administrative School Code 228. Students determined to have met enrollment criteria may seek placement in the Dual Language Program.

    Students entering kindergarten whose primary language is English are invited to fill out an interest form and may be enrolled based on eligibility and program capacity. Interest forms are only available at Dual Language informational Nights (Dates will be posted at d300.org).

    Inside a Dual Language Classroom

    Dual Language students learn the same curriculum standards as their grade-level peers through classroom instruction that follows an 80:20 Spanish/English Language model.

    As the chart above indicates, classroom instruction for all kindergarten and 1st grade students would be taught in Spanish 80% of the time and in English 20% of the time. Dual Language Programs follow a content allocation plan to indicate to grade-level bilingual teachers when to teach in English or in Spanish. 

    Dual Language Immersion

    • Dual Language Programs offer both one-way and two-way immersion models. The goal of both models is to promote high academic achievement, first-and second-language development, and cross-cultural understanding for all students.

    • One-Way Immersion is an educational model in which the student population includes English Learners only.

    Two-Way Immersion is an educational model that integrates native English speakers and English Learners in the same classroom.

    Bi-Literacy Assessment

    How do we know Dual Language students are making progress?

    • In a Dual Language classroom, District 300 assess our students for two purposes:

      1. To inform how well Dual Language students perform in comparison to a native speaker.

      2. To inform the proficiency level of Dual Language students as bilingual readers.

    • District 300 uses a variety of academic measures to the monitor progress of all learners. In order to make sure students are on track with their learning, District 300 uses local assessments to measure linguistic and academic growth. To measure biliteracy for emerging bilingual students, teachers assess each child’s literacy skills holistically, determining their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in two languages.

    Research

    What does the Research say about Dual Language Programs and its Benefits?

    • Research shows that there are fewer high school dropouts from Dual Language Programs than from other programs. 

    • By late elementary school, Dual Language students of varied backgrounds achieve at or above their non-Dual Language peers in general education classes. 

    • Most Dual Language students expect to attend college. Thus, not only do Dual Language Programs appear to improve academic performance, but may also enhance job opportunities.

    For more information on the Dual Language Program, please visit: www.Teachingforbiliteracy.com or www.thomasandcollier.com