Supporting Immersion Learners

[Anonymous]

On the suggestion in another thread, let's collect thoughts/resources/experiences on ways to support kids transitioning into immersion schools.

This is a thread about immersion learning and supporting students. Not about taking down one school or another. (fingers crossed.)

Thanks, everyone.

[Anonymous]

So this would be for kids entering in the later years? Chinese/Spanish or just generally?

Love the idea...

[Anonymous]

Any TV / movies that are allowed must be viewed in Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Spanish (or whatever your target language is) speaking babysitters, and ban English.
Bilingual apps for boring bus rides/time in car
Spanish TV (this one bothers my kids--they prefer to veg in English)
Spanish books for before bed reading.
Travel to countries where they can use the language, when possible.
Festivals/cultural events/plays, etc around the area
Visit restaurants where servers speak target language and let kids order and talk to the servers.

[Anonymous]

I take my daughter out to the MegaMart once a month and go shopping. Total immersion with pupusas on the side.

[Anonymous]

This is a nice idea, OP, but for parents who are new to immersion, the starting points should be their child's school and groups like http://dcimmersion.org/

There's no need to reinvent the wheel or to shoehorn ideas and products that might run contrary to the teaching model your child sees everyday. If the school's leadership and the family community don't have resources to share, there's not much you can do on your own to compensate.

Take it from a tri-lingual parent who has BTDT in three different immersion schools with two kids and lots of tutoring, activities, books, TV, travel, etc. There's really no need for parents to debate the use of zumo vs jugo.

[Anonymous]

Only allow Movies and games in the target language. Sesame place has lots of episodes in Spanish.

[Anonymous]

BAsho and Friends YouTube videos for Spanish. Very helpful to get young kids comfortable with the alphabet and counting before the start of the school year.

YouTube Kids also has a decent variety of kids cartoons in Soanish. You can download an app. Favorites include Wild Katts, Pepa Pig, Max and Ruby, Backyaridgans.

For parents trying to keep up with their kids, I recommend the DuoLingo app.

[Anonymous]

These are really helpful (especially if you don't yet have connections with leadership or fam community).

Particular thanks for DC Immersion link, 22:33.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BAsho and Friends YouTube videos for Spanish. Very helpful to get young kids comfortable with the alphabet and counting before the start of the school year.

YouTube Kids also has a decent variety of kids cartoons in Soanish. You can download an app. Favorites include Wild Katts, Pepa Pig, Max and Ruby, Backyaridgans.

For parents trying to keep up with their kids, I recommend the DuoLingo app.

I have no idea how much progress I'm really making with the app, but I've found that both my kids really appreciate that their parents are making an effort to learn along with them. Their teachers have even mentioned overhearing them talk about it while at school.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any tips on

1) Spanish language TV channels with kids' shows on regular tv, not the Internet? What are the good channels in the DC area?

2) a really fantastic Spanish reading tutor, such as a teacher on break, that I could hire over the summer for tutoring?

[Anonymous]

Check the public library. Watha Daniels in Shaw has a Chinese Conversation Corner once a month, it's a good bet other libraries have similar programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BAsho and Friends YouTube videos for Spanish. Very helpful to get young kids comfortable with the alphabet and counting before the start of the school year.

YouTube Kids also has a decent variety of kids cartoons in Soanish. You can download an app. Favorites include Wild Katts, Pepa Pig, Max and Ruby, Backyaridgans.

For parents trying to keep up with their kids, I recommend the DuoLingo app.

I have no idea how much progress I'm really making with the app, but I've found that both my kids really appreciate that their parents are making an effort to learn along with them. Their teachers have even mentioned overhearing them talk about it while at school.

I really don't believe it's possible to learn a language via an app but it is nice for your kids to see you working on it. Plus I heard it's fun, right?

[Anonymous]

Contact MS/HS immersion schools, and ask if they have an afterschool program. You might be able to get someone who can coordinate a reading tutor for your child.

There was a recent article about how older students reading to younger students improves the reading level among both. You might be able to get a motivated MS/HS student who'd love to relate to your DC in the target language.

If you're *really* lucky, you could get, say, a DCI student for your child at a DCI feeder, or an Adams student for your child entering Oyster.

[Anonymous]

This is a really helpful list. Thank you! We have found in our house that our older child reading to our younger child in Spanish has worked well. Our older child can read beyond her parents' limited Spanish skills now!