Spanish Immersion Program

Two-Way Bilingual Spanish Immersion Program

Besides housing a Traditional English program, Hatch is the site of the District Two-Way Bilingual Spanish Immersion Program. The program provides an immersion model for English-speaking students and a bilingual model for Spanish-Speaking students. It is an "additive bilingual" program, meaning that all students learn two languages instead of losing one to learn another.

Emphasis on Spanish instruction in the early grades allows for English-speakers ample exposure to the target language-Spanish. Spanish-speakers acquire a second language without compromising their first language.

Spanish and English instruction is always kept separate, allowing for maximized concentration of both languages. Heterogeneous groupings during the Spanish and English portions of the day provide students with opportunities to assist and learn from one another, allowing second language acquisition to occur naturally.

The social interaction between students is a joy to behold. Students truly learn from one another, developing high levels of confidence and self-esteem through their study of two languages. Learning comes alive as the beauty of both languages is explored through literature and song.

It is the goal the students will:

• Develop fluency and literacy in two languages: Spanish and English.
• Achieve proficiency in all academic subjects, meeting or exceeding State Standards.
• Cultivate an understanding and appreciation of other cultures, and develop positive attitudes toward fellow students, their families and their community.

The Traditional English and Immersion classes integrate in various arenas. 6th grade Immersion students continue at Cunha Intermediate where they continue their Spanish education in the Language Arts. Immersion students have been able to bypass the foreign language requirement at the high school level.

Kindergarten: All subject taught in Spanish; 30 minutes of English oral language development 4 times a week, including English Language Development.

First Grade: All core subjects taught in Spanish; 60 minutes of English oral language in science and social studies 5 times a week, including ELD as needed.

Second Grade: All core subjects taught in Spanish; 75 minutes of daily English oral language in social studies, including ELD. A formal introduction of English reading and language arts begins the second semester.

Third Grade: All core subjects taught in Spanish; except for two hours of English instruction in reading, science, and social studies. Writing Workshop transitions to English during the second semester.

Fourth and Fifth Grades: Half the day is devoted to Spanish instruction in language arts, math, science, and social studies,. The other half of the day English instruction includes Language Arts, music, and PE.

Staff
All Two-Way Language Immersion instructors are credentialed bilingual teachers with native to native-like fluency in Spanish. Amity Scholars from Spanish speaking countries also support the students in all classrooms.

Classroom Composition
The most desirable student ratio is 50% English speakers and 50% Spanish speakers, but the program can operate successfully as long as neither language group falls below 30% of the classroom population.

Language Separation
Instructional delivery is monolingual at all times. Teachers do not use translation for comprehension. Instead, a multitude of second language acquisition techniques make language and content understandable for all students.

Experiential Curriculum
Teachers establish an environment where students must use the target language to meet real needs. This approach develops language skills through hands-on classroom experiences. Students more readily attach vocabulary to an activity in a hands-on or experiential setting.

Parent Participation
Parental involvment is an integral part of the Hatch program. Parents are encourage to volunteer in the classroom and to work with their children on language skills at home.

Language classes are available for parents: Spanish classes for English-speaking parents and English classes for Spanish-speaking parents through the Cabrilllo Unified School District Adult Education Program.

SIPA (Spanish Immersion Parent Association) meets once a quarter offering opportunities for parents to contribute to the school program, plan and partake in cultural events, and work on fundraisers.

Amity Scholars
SIPA funds Amity Scholars from Spanish speaking countries. The students become familiar with their culture and dialect and receive extra assistance in the classroom. The Amity Scholar is housed for one year by a host SIPA family. SIPA sponsors a yearly fiesta and fund raising program to pay the monthly stipend and Amity Organization fee. The Scholars work in the classroom for 20 hours a week.