Anonymous
Post 01/31/2026 13:45     Subject: Immersion vs dual language programs
We have 2 kids in full immersion. Our oldest is 9 and I’d say very close to fluent (if not fully. We (the parents) do not speak Spanish and don’t supplement too much outside of school.
She does have an aptitude for language (although probably more of high-average student) and also scored high on her latest MAP reading test (which is in English).
Our youngest is half way through K and does not know how to speak much at all yet. I think it takes a good 6 months to start picking it up.
Anonymous
Post 01/31/2026 00:33     Subject: Immersion vs dual language programs
Anonymous wrote:If your goal is to raise a fluent child (vs. getting your DC into some academic program), you should enroll them in full immersion and expect to still have to invest significantl time & resources.

My DS and I have purposely hired only Spanish speaking nannies since our DC's were newborns, we enrolled them in Spanish immersion preschool and kindergarten, we have placed them in a 2 week summer camp in Mexico every single year since age 4, we have always required Netflix, Disney, and Hulu to play only in Spanish. They are now in middle school and the top Spanish speakers in their classes, but still barely fluent.

Honestly, if you are not 100% committed to your DC's becoming fluent, it's not worth it.




Is Spanish your primary language? If so you don’t full immersion. 50/50 is ideal. They still need English instruction.
Anonymous
Post 01/31/2026 00:14     Subject: Immersion vs dual language programs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Any non-Spanish speaking parents decide to study up? Any recs for programs locally or virtually that are actually effective?

I can understand some of it but have only had basic classroom lessons decades ago. My spouse speaks Spanish and kid is currently in full immersion. I’d like to not be left out lol


Get them to watch movies in Spanish. Introduce them to Spanish pop (just be careful for the overly sexual content). Oh, they are interested in cars, have them watch videos on cars in Spanish on youtube.


I think this question was about a parent wanting to learning Spanish, not how to supplement the kid's learning.
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2025 17:01     Subject: Immersion vs dual language programs
Anonymous wrote:Any non-Spanish speaking parents decide to study up? Any recs for programs locally or virtually that are actually effective?

I can understand some of it but have only had basic classroom lessons decades ago. My spouse speaks Spanish and kid is currently in full immersion. I’d like to not be left out lol


Get them to watch movies in Spanish. Introduce them to Spanish pop (just be careful for the overly sexual content). Oh, they are interested in cars, have them watch videos on cars in Spanish on youtube.
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2025 04:10     Subject: Immersion vs dual language programs
Any non-Spanish speaking parents decide to study up? Any recs for programs locally or virtually that are actually effective?

I can understand some of it but have only had basic classroom lessons decades ago. My spouse speaks Spanish and kid is currently in full immersion. I’d like to not be left out lol