The bilingual program will concentrate on students’ acquisition of English and Spanish and will integrate instruction in math, science, and social studies by optimizing the use of two languages, English and Spanish. Click here for more information on NFISD Bilingual/ ESL home page.
“Dual Language will provide our students with a strong academic focus in two languages, a respect for different cultures, and it prepares students for college and a career in a globally competitive economy,” Director of the Bilingual Program James Troutman, said.
Troutman met with parents interested in enrolling their children in the program on June 17. He shared information about how the Two-Way Dual Language program will work, what students will learn and how they will learn. Additional meetings will be scheduled.
"It's a progression of language acquisition," Troutman explained to parents. "Plan to stay in the program, and by the end of it, your child will be bilingual, bi-literate and bi-cultural."
For now, the program is designed for the Pre-K through 5th grade curriculum, though the goal is to eventually expand into middle school. Students can enroll as early as Pre-Kindergarten. Students whose native language is English should have strong English-language skills for success in the program.
The District’s move toward incorporating a dual language program is spurred by a number of factors, including:
- English Language Learners (ELLs) who participate in Dual Language programs achieve the greatest long-term academic gains through their participation.
- Dual Language is the best program for ELLs that closes the achievement gap.
- Students in Dual Language do as well, or better, than students learning only in English on standardized tests given in English.
- The children learn to respect multiple cultural heritages and languages which lead to friendships that cross class and language boundaries.
- Students of Dual Language programs increase their marketable skills in a global society.
- One of the most positive aspects of the Dual Language Program is an increase in parental involvement in our children’s education.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in the Dual Language Program, click here for the Dual Language Survey .
For more information about the Bilingual Program, click here to e-mail your questions or call 713-636-4657.
Below, you may find articles on the effectiveness of other Dual Language Programs and the need for Dual Language Programs throughout our District.
For more information about the Bilingual Program, click here to e-mail your questions or call 713-636-4657.
Below, you may find articles on the effectiveness of other Dual Language Programs and the need for Dual Language Programs throughout our District.
- For "The Astounding Effectiveness of Dual Language Education for All", click here.
- For the "Summary of Ysleta ISD Dual Language Programs", click here.
- For the August 2009 edition of Texas Monthly: "Dream of A Common Language", click here.
- For "School Effectiveness for Language Minority Students", click here.
