Language programs boost academics in Buncombe schools ASHEVILLE

ASHEVILLE - Teacher Diana Restrepo held a card with a picture of a pair of socks to her forehead. She couldn’t see the picture on the card, but through a series of questions to her first-graders, she made guesses.

Restrepo asked her questions in Spanish. The children listened and answer “si” or “no.” These students are in their second year in the popular Spanish immersion program at Glen Arden Elementary. Starting in kindergarten, students learn from native Spanish speakers. They hear almost all Spanish during the school day. The teacher assistant in Restrepo’s class is also a native Spanish speaker.

This year, the program added a second kindergarten class. It is one of four language immersion programs offered at Buncombe County elementary schools. The program at Glen Arden is for native English speakers.

Avery’s Creek, Oakley, and W.D. Williams elementary schools have dual or two-way language programs. Each class has native English speakers as well as students who are learning English. Students in those classes hear mostly Spanish in the early grades and gradually increase the amount of English instruction.