Dual-language program good new learning experience

The ability to speak one or more non-native languages is becoming increasingly important because of societal connections that are increasingly global, and the ability to bridge cultures in communities with shifting demographics.

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has traditionally provided such opportunities by offering foreign languages in higher grades, and English as a Second Language to students whose first language is Spanish, Mandarin or something else.

Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, though, the school district will take foreign-language learning a step further by offering a dual-language immersion program at Clifty Creek Elementary School.

The voluntary program, to which families would have to apply, would allow prekindergarten and kindergarten students to learn in a bilingual classroom. Classes would be composed of half native Spanish speakers and half native English speakers. Students would be taught English by a native Spanish speaker, and students would be immersed in Spanish for most of the day.

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