New Forum/Sub Forum? Dual-language/Immersion programs

[Anonymous]

Happy 2014!

And thank you for keeping up the amazing resource! I remember back in the "old days" when the DCPS forum first started. Never a dull moment since then!

Now that there are so many dual-language/immersion programs, would it be possible to start a Dual-Language (DL)/Immersion Programs forum? Like Fuji apples, Macintosh, and Granny Smith, these should be compared to each other before thrown in with peaches and grapefruit. OK, cheesy metaphor. But you get the idea.

It's incredibly frustrating that there's not one source for DL in DC, let alone regional info or GreatSchools type websites. The charter board website search function is missing 3 DL schools. The myschooldc doesn't have language charters that aren't in common app. LearnDC has zero info on language programs. Then there are the immersion privates and suburban bilingual magnets/charters. DC people looking for French should know about Goddard in MD or for Spanish they should consider Key in Arlington.

DCUM can fill that void like nobody else.

Below is a starter list of Frequently Used Terms and links to some of the recent threads. Hope this helps!


DL - dual-language immersion. Content is taught in two languages 1/2 of the school day or week, objective is all students proficient in Language Arts of English and the target language. Also known as Bilingual or Two Way Immersion (TWI).

Immersion - no English is spoken during class(es), Full Immersion means only one non-English language is spoken 90% or more of the time. Typically preschool in public or early elementary at privates. This is sometimes a flexible term that varies by grade or school.

ELL - English Language Learners, determined by testing at the DCPS office of bilingual education. ELL are subdivided into those that can go to a dual-language school and those that should go to an English-only/English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

ESL - English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Intensive support for LEP students.

LEP - Limited English Proficiency, student with less English than ELL level

FLES - foreign languages are taught as a subject unto themselves, like math or art. DCPS claims that it wants FLES in every school. Some schools offer FLES in multiple languages. This is NOT the same as bilingual or immersion.

OBE - DCPS Office of Bilingual Education.

Bilingual Education - caveat, in some parts of the US with high numbers of Spanish-speaking immigrants, like Texas & Arizona, bilingual education means programs for LEP/ELL Spanish speakers to learn English. It's not dual -language immersion in the DC sense.

Language "Dominance" - no set definition. DCPS schools and some privates give admissions or waitlist preference to target language "dominant" students. This is a point of contention in DCPS as there is no standard for "dominance". Current charter school law in DC prevents language preference for admission or waitlist.

threads

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/352629.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/352702.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/351228.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/352621.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/349842.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/350670.page

Wishing you the best!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Happy 2014!

And thank you for keeping up the amazing resource! I remember back in the "old days" when the DCPS forum first started. Never a dull moment since then!

Now that there are so many dual-language/immersion programs, would it be possible to start a Dual-Language (DL)/Immersion Programs forum? Like Fuji apples, Macintosh, and Granny Smith, these should be compared to each other before thrown in with peaches and grapefruit. OK, cheesy metaphor. But you get the idea.

It's incredibly frustrating that there's not one source for DL in DC, let alone regional info or GreatSchools type websites. The charter board website search function is missing 3 DL schools. The myschooldc doesn't have language charters that aren't in common app. LearnDC has zero info on language programs. Then there are the immersion privates and suburban bilingual magnets/charters. DC people looking for French should know about Goddard in MD or for Spanish they should consider Key in Arlington.

DCUM can fill that void like nobody else.

Below is a starter list of Frequently Used Terms and links to some of the recent threads. Hope this helps!


DL - dual-language immersion. Content is taught in two languages 1/2 of the school day or week, objective is all students proficient in Language Arts of English and the target language. Also known as Bilingual or Two Way Immersion (TWI).

Immersion - no English is spoken during class(es), Full Immersion means only one non-English language is spoken 90% or more of the time. Typically preschool in public or early elementary at privates. This is sometimes a flexible term that varies by grade or school.

ELL - English Language Learners, determined by testing at the DCPS office of bilingual education. ELL are subdivided into those that can go to a dual-language school and those that should go to an English-only/English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

ESL - English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Intensive support for LEP students.

LEP - Limited English Proficiency, student with less English than ELL level

FLES - foreign languages are taught as a subject unto themselves, like math or art. DCPS claims that it wants FLES in every school. Some schools offer FLES in multiple languages. This is NOT the same as bilingual or immersion.

OBE - DCPS Office of Bilingual Education.

Bilingual Education - caveat, in some parts of the US with high numbers of Spanish-speaking immigrants, like Texas & Arizona, bilingual education means programs for LEP/ELL Spanish speakers to learn English. It's not dual -language immersion in the DC sense.

Language "Dominance" - no set definition. DCPS schools and some privates give admissions or waitlist preference to target language "dominant" students. This is a point of contention in DCPS as there is no standard for "dominance". Current charter school law in DC prevents language preference for admission or waitlist.

threads

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/352629.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/352702.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/351228.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/352621.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/349842.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/350670.page

Wishing you the best!

You have way too much time on your hands.

[Anonymous]

there is definitely more of a need for a separate breastfeeding board. I'm sick of all those discussions.

[jsteele]

Thank you for the suggestion. I am still trying to come up with a strategy and technical means of adding new forums in a way that is manageable for our readers. If/when I am able to accomplish this goal, I will consider a dual language forum as well.

[Anonymous]

I agree it would be nice to see one forum for this.

[Anonymous]

Also to original poster, I appreciate all the definitions. I am considering a school that advertises as immersion and it is really a dual language school....half the week is in each language.