Ohlone Elementary School

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Dual Immersion Program

Dual Immersion Program

The Goals of Ohlone's Dual Language Program

Bilingualism (the ability to speak fluently in two languages)
Biliteracy (the ability to read and write in two languages)
Cross-cultural competence (understanding and appreciating other cultures)
Research and evidence-based educational programs
Grade-level academic proficiency in both languages
Second language acquisition while students engage in the development of core academic knowledge, analytical practices, and discipline-specific uses of language

What Can Parents Do to Help Children in a Dual Language Classroom?

The biggest predictor of success in learning a second language is proficiency in the first language. The most important thing you can do is talk to and with your child. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to expand on what they say. Rather than ask "How was school?" ask your child to tell you the best thing that happened, or ask them to tell you three things they learned. When they tell you something, ask for more details. As children get to school age, aim for 4 to 5 conversational 'turns' where they respond to you and you respond to them. Encourage children to speak to safe adults like friends or family members and professionals like the doctor or dentist. Sing songs, learn nursery rhymes, and play with words. These are all early reading skills and will help your child learn both English and Spanish.

If you would like to help your child start learning English or Spanish before school starts, PVUSD has a subscription to an online reading and language program for all children that live in the school district. Register in your preferred language, then once in the program you can choose to work either in English or Spanish. There are stories and songs and books to read in both languages.

PVUSD Footsteps to Brilliance/Paso a Paso

How Will the Day be Organized?

Starting in kindergarten, approximately 80% of the day will be taught in Spanish and 20% in English, with a gradual increase of English until we reach 50%/50%. This 50%/50% time allocation remains in place in all subsequent grade levels in elementary school.

Research has shown it is more likely that all students will achieve higher levels of Spanish achievement in 80/20 models because of the potential for developing stronger oral language in Spanish for all students. Biliteracy is therefore best assured through this model as compared to a 50/50 from kinder model.

The kindergarten class of 2024-2025 was our first dual language class. Our plan is to have a single bilingual classroom teacher in kindergarten through 2nd grade, and follow a two-teacher model (one teacher teaches in English and one in Spanish) in the upper grades.

PVUSD is currently in the process of developing bilingual programs at our middle and high schools so students can continue their bilingual education.

To Learn More about Dual Immersion Programs

This is a video about a dual language program in another school district, but is similar to the program offered at Ohlone: The Importance of Dual Language Education

Kids from a dual immersion school explain why they love being biligual: The Benefits of Being Bilingual TEDxKids

Why Dual Language in Elementary School?

It is well-established that young children are more adept at acquiring languages due to the brain’s flexibility and rapid neural development. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "critical period," allows children to learn languages at an accelerated pace and with greater accuracy. As the brain matures, it becomes more specialized, reinforcing the neural pathways that are frequently used, making it more challenging—though not impossible—to learn new languages later in life. However, the process is far more efficient when children are young.

Traditionally, elementary schools have focused primarily on English language acquisition for all students. It is only in middle or high school that students begin to take "foreign language" courses. This approach has posed challenges for students who enter school speaking a language other than English, as their home language is often sidelined for 8-10 years during this critical learning period, only to be reintroduced in their teenage years. Similarly, students who begin school speaking only English typically do not have the opportunity to learn a second language during the period when their brains are most capable of doing so quickly and effectively.

A dual language program leverages children’s natural ability to absorb languages more efficiently, fostering the development of proficiency in both English and Spanish across listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

The Benefits of Being Bilingual

Research shows numerous benefits for bilingual children:

Educational: Students who learn literacy in one language can transfer those skills to their other language
Cognitive: People who understand two languages show more cognitive flexibility, multitasking skills, and delayed onset of dementia by up to two years.
Creative thinking and problem solving: increase in abilities compared to monolingual students of the same age
Socio-cultural: Understanding another language and interacting with students from diverse backgrounds promotes cultural awareness, greater understanding and acceptance
Economic: Knowing two or more languages enhances employment opportunities when students enter the workforce