Delaware celebrates, looks to expand language-immersion program

Further expansion coming to state's language immersion program. Delaware is ready to take the next step with its language immersion program - looking to the future as it celebrates its initial success. 

Gov. Jack Markell and state education officials joined language immersion students in the Caesar Rodney School District Tuesday at Simpson Elementary in Wyoming to mark four years of the program. As part of the visit, Markell stopped by a third grade Chinese language immersion class to see how some of the first students to join the program are progressing. He left impressed with what they’ve learned since they started in kindergarten.

"I’m blown away.  Frankly, it’s emotional," said Markell.  "You see these now thousands of kids across the state and you just think about the extraordinary opportunities they’re going to have.  It’s just amazing."

The language immersion program launched 4 years ago with just 340 students learning Chinese and Spanish in 3 schools.  By next year, it will be in all 16 school districts and serve about 3,000 K-to-4 students in 22 schools.

Read more here - Delaware Public Media