Dual Language Programs in Schools: Creating more Dual Language programs in the Highline School District

Being bilingual or multilingual in today's world is of great advantage culturally, academically, and financially. Generally in the job market having an additional language can get you advantage from other colleagues that have the same skills in the field but not the additional language skills. Having more than one language also helps the brain become more agile, which helps with problem solving and a more analytic mind. Having acknowledged this, I know the benefits that students, especially younger students that acquire another language, will have over monolingual students in the future. For this reason, immersion programs, such as as that of the Dual Language program, are essential in preparing students become well rounded culturally, socially, academically, and in their career preparation.

In the Highline School District there are Dual Language Programs being offered in four different elementary schools, which include Mount View Elementary, Madrona, Hilltop, and White Center Heights Elementary. The Dual Language program began in the Highline School District in 2008 and It consists of teaching in both English and another language such as Spanish or Vietnamese. The program is taught by bilingual or multilingual teachers that are qualified with these bilingual skills. The students can be native English speakers or Native speakers of any other language. The students in the program spend half the day learning in English and the other half of the day learning other language, which

in this case would be Spanish, with two different teachers. Vietnamese is only offered in Madrona Elementary.

The students in the Dual Language Program start in Kindergarten and all through sixth grade. In the program the students work with partners, one being a native English speaker and the other being a Native Spanish or Vietnamese speaker. Working in pairs helps them engage in the work, it helps them learn how to work together, support each other and most importantly help each other learn more.

Through learning a new language at a young age, the students are getting in touch with their own culture as well being aware of the cultures of their classmates which in return helps them be more tolerant towards others. They learn to embrace other cultures, which encourages diversity.

It has been proven that the acquisition of a new language helps the brain process information faster and helps students think more critically and be faster problem solvers, therefore this program can help with their career preparation at such a young age. The students are also preparing to be well rounded in two or more languages because learning skills in more than one language helps them become bi literate.

For many reasons creating more Dual Language Programs will be of tremendous benefit for the students and our community. We live in a very diverse community, and many families struggle with the language barrier, but thanks to the Dual Language Programs, parents and students are receiving the help they need in a language they can understand. Having acquired a new language will help the students in their relationship with the diverse community and with their career preparation. This program is preparing future Interpreters and Translators even if those careers are not their chosen careers, having those bilingual skills can help in all professions.