DLI Frequently Asked Questions

• Dual Language Immersion is a form of a bilingual program designed to provide literacy and content instruction in two languages with one of those language being English. (Dual Language Education of New Mexico)

• Dual language immersion provides a way to learn academic content while acquiring another language at the same time. Students receive math, science, and social studies instruction in a target language, Chinese or Spanish in the Higley District. The teaching strategies used support students in learning the concepts and skills for the subject area and develop the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in another target language.

• The goals are for the students to reach high levels of target language proficiency and develop cultural competency while attaining academic achievement that is at or above their grade level.

• Both Spanish and Mandarin consistently make the lists for the most influential and important languages to learn for the future.

  • Mandarin boasts the most native speakers worldwide. As well as its economic focus in world trade.

  • Spanish is used all around the world, the Americas, Europe and Africa! It is common knowledge that the language is useful here in Arizona!

• Both languages are used globally, in business, in technology forums, etc.

• Dual Immersion structures are considered cost neutral once they get started.

• It is simply a staffing change, but not a budget change.

• Instead of investing in materials in English, partner language educational materials are substituted.

• The dual language immersion program seeks to enroll students of varying backgrounds and all ability levels.

• All students are capable of acquiring another language.

• Applications are open to all students.

  • Mandarin Programs:

    • Elona P. Cooley Early Childhood Development Center: Pre-K

      • Open Entry - (PERK: Automatic acceptance into Kindergarten at Coronado Elementary DLI program).

    • Coronado Elementary: K-6

      • Open entry in Kindergarten or 1st grade; later entry by proficiency testing only

  • Spanish Programs:

    • Sue Sossaman Early Childhood Development Center: Pre-K

      • Open Entry - (PERK: Automatic acceptance into Kindergarten at San Tan Elementary DLI program).

    • San Tan Elementary: K-6

      • Open entry in Kindergarten through 2nd grade; later entry by proficiency testing only

• Research shows that the earlier a child starts to learn a language the better, AND their brains are perfectly wired to learn more than one language at a time! So, we recommend our students start in Pre-K or Kindergarten to maximize their language and content learning!

• However, we recognize that some students coming from a heritage background in the language, or hearing about our amazing program after that are still fully capable and welcome to enter our program as well!

  • Mandarin Programs:

    • Elona P. Cooley Early Childhood Development Center: Pre-K

      • Open Entry - (PERK: Automatic acceptance into Kindergarten at Coronado Elementary DLI program).

    • Coronado Elementary: K-6

      • Open entry in Kindergarten or 1st grade; later entry by proficiency testing only

  • Spanish Programs:

    • Sue Sossaman Early Childhood Development Center: Pre-K

      • Open Entry - (PERK: Automatic acceptance into Kindergarten at San Tan Elementary DLI program).

    • San Tan Elementary: K-6

      • Open entry in Kindergarten through 2nd grade; later entry by proficiency testing only

• Students who wish to join the Mandarin DLI program must enroll at Coronado Elementary School.

  • If you are outside of the school's boundaries, simply fill out and turn in an Open Enrollment Form.

• Students who wish to join the Spanish DLI program must enroll at San Tan Elementary School.

  • If you are outside of the school's boundaries, simply fill out and turn in an Open Enrollment Form.

• The program is a first come, first serve enrollment.

• Only tasks that the student could complete independently will be assigned as homework in the target language.

• This is best practice for all homework assignments regardless of the language.

• Parents are still encouraged to read daily in English to their student.

• Although students are exposed to the same curriculum as their same age peers, please understand that it does take additional work to learn a language and extra practice will be required at home.

• While there may be homework for a DLI child it will be appropriate level and rigor for students to complete the work based on their learning from the classroom.

  • If additional insight or instruction is needed, please contact your student's teachers for assistance.

• Parents/guardians will be encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and familiarize themselves with the target language.

• However, only the target language is spoken in the classroom.

• No, the rigor of the program provides a path to learning two languages while ensuring that Arizona State Standards are covered in English.

• Research actually shows that over time Dual Immersion students achieve at or above grade level in English.

• They also tend to outscore their English-only peers in state testing.

• Articles:

  • Dual Language Education Can Close Achievement Gap

  • Dual Language Immersion Programs Raise Student Achievement in English

  • Sustaining DLI: Partner Language Outcomes in a Statewide Program

• As a gifted and or talented student also enrolled in the DLI program, your child will continue to learn content in English and the program language (Mandarin or Spanish).

• As a DLI student, your child is appropriately placed in an enriching and rigorous program, which has proven to produce higher academic achievement in middle school, high school, and beyond.

• Collaboration between your child’s DLI teacher and site-based gifted coach will ensure your child’s academic and social emotional needs as a gifted and talented student will be nurtured within the DLI program.

• According to an Arizona study in 2015 on language achievement in their EL and DLI population, it can take a monolingual student 4-6 years to reach language proficiency.

  • A Utah study done in 2016 on the achievement of language learners had similar findings.

• During this time students may have a hard time staying in one language, using the target language on command, and talking about things to which they have not learned the context.

• Language proficiency takes time and effort - Allow that time, ask questions, listen, read, encourage - Patiently

• See our page on Language Proficiency for more information.

• ACTFL has outlined the many benefits for learning language.

  • View that information by clicking HERE.

• Increases cognitive flexibility that results in higher-order thinking, problem-solving abilities, time management, creativity and focusing skills.

• Allows students to become highly proficient in a second language at no cost to their English development.

• Enriches and enhances a child's mental development.

• Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language.

• Language learning correlates with high academic achievement on standardized tests.

• Increases our students ability to communicate and understand differing cultures. This enables students to be global citizens.

• Increases job opportunities in many careers around the world.

• Our district is VERY excited to be working toward a Bridge Program with ASU to bridge the gap our students will face after taking the AP language tests.

  • This program would provide continuing courses of study in the target language while earning upper level university credit from ASU!

  • This would allow our DLI students to graduate lacking only ONE course toward a minor in their language from ASU!

• Our DLI students will also have the opportunity to graduate with a Seal of Biliteracy on their transcripts and diploma!

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes students who have studied and attained proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening in two or more languages by high school graduation. The seal will be placed on the student’s diploma and transcript.

To demonstrate proficiency in English, the student must successfully meet at least one of the following criteria:

· Complete all English Language Arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

· Score a 3 or higher on an English Advanced Placement (*AP) exam

· A proficient score on a college/university entrance exams (ACT or SAT).

· If a student has a primary home language other than English, the student can demonstrate proficiency in English by obtaining a score of proficient based on AZELLA testing while in high school.

To demonstrate proficiency in the second language, the student must meet at least one of the following criteria:

· Score a 3 or higher on the *AP world language test

· A proficient score on the **STAMP 4S Test

o 5 in all areas of the test for category I through III languages

o 4 in reading and writing and a 5 in speaking and listening for category IV languages.

Students must submit their application to the school counselor by the Friday before Spring Break of their Senior year. Find the application at husd.org/seals.

*AP exam requires additional fee

**The STAMP 4S test requires a fee of $25.00 for students not currently enrolled in the world language class.

• Currently students who leave the elementary and move into 7th grade are placed in an immersive language class designed for our DLI enriched students.

• They are also enrolled in the 8th grade immersive language course designed to prepare them for the college level language courses offered at our district's high schools.

  • Mandarin immersive students are enrolled at Cooley Middle School and move on to Williams Field High School to continue their Mandarin studies.

  • Spanish immersive students are enrolled at Sossaman Middle School and move on to Higley High School to continue the Spanish studies.

• Our district is VERY excited to be working toward a Bridge Program with ASU to bridge the gap our students will face after taking the AP language tests.

  • This program would provide continuing courses of study in the target language while earning upper level university credit from ASU!

  • This would allow our DLI students to graduate lacking only ONE course toward a minor in their language from ASU!

• Mandarin Programs:

  • Elona P. Cooley ECDC: Pre-K

    • To register click HERE

  • Coronado Elementary: K-6

    • Registration for the 2022-2023 School year will open in December 2021.

    • Entrance Requirements:

      • The program is first come, first serve in order to secure staff. Each class has a maximum of 25 students.

      • K-1 is open registration for students with no language experience in Mandarin necessary. We will review academic records with new families of first grade students to determine if placement is appropriate.

      • 2nd Grade and higher will be administered a screening assessment to determine if placement is appropriate.

• Spanish Programs:

  • Sue Sossaman ECDC: Pre-K

    • To register click HERE

  • San Tan Elementary: K-6

    • Registration for the 2022-2023 School year will open in December 2021.

    • Entrance Requirements:

      • The program is first come, first serve in order to secure staff. Each class has a maximum of 25 students.

      • K-2 is open registration for students with no language experience in Spanish necessary. We will review academic records with new families of second grade students to determine if placement is appropriate.

      • 3rd Grade and higher will be administered a screening assessment to determine if placement is appropriate.