Immersion
Welcome to the Red Clay Dual Language Immersion Program
We offer two elementary school programs for Spanish immersion.
Marbrook Elementary School is a strand program and Lewis Dual Language Elementary School is a school-wide program. Students in the programs become proficient in Spanish and English while learning the same content as their peers who are not a part of the program.
The Dual Language Immersion program begins in kindergarten and continues through graduation. Parents who are interested in Dual Language Immersion should submit a choice application for kindergarten. Students may also apply to enter in first grade if there is space in the program. Prospective students in grades 2-5 may contact the Red Clay Consolidated School District Choice Office directly to determine space availability. Students in grades 2-5 must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in Spanish at a level equal to their Spanish immersion grade level peers in order to enter the program in grades 2 - 5.
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What is Immersion?
Immersion is the fastest-growing and most effective type of world language instruction currently available in U.S. schools. Immersion offers children an opportunity to learn a second language the same way we learn English – by living it. No other type of instruction, short of living in a non-English speaking environment, is as successful.
Why Immersion?
Dual language immersion programs help students attain high levels of proficiency in a second language. Young children in particular thrive in this type of environment and are more adept at language acquisition. Explore the benefits of Immersion below.
How does Immersion work?
In an Immersion classroom, students benefit from highly qualified educators – one for each language. An English-speaking teacher will provide instruction in reading, writing, and social studies for half the day. Then students transition to a Spanish-speaking teacher that delivers mathematics, science, and language lessons in the second language.
The Immersion Teacher will speak entirely in Spanish and communicates using a range of strategies including: pictures, songs, games, body language, expressions, drama, etc. Young learners are adept at acquiring language in meaningful contexts. Students will learn to speak only in their new language during that portion of the day.
Immersion classes follow the same curriculum in all content areas that non-immersion students would follow in any Red Clay Consolidated School District elementary classroom. They use many of the same materials as their non-immersion peers.
Instructional Progression
Spanish immersion students may continue the Spanish immersion pathway in middle school and high school. Skyline Middle School is Red Clay Consolidated School District’s Spanish immersion middle school program site.
Skyline students in grades 6-8 deepen their immersion language skills and cultural competencies through an advanced-level Spanish literacy immersion class inclusive of authentic cultural experiences.
A.I.duPont High School is the primary pathway for Red Clay immersion students in grades 9 - 12. Spanish immersion students attending A.I. duPont High School students are scheduled as a cohort and take Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture in 9th grade. Upon successful completion of the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade year will have access to 300 level college Spanish courses in collaboration with the University of Delaware. Students have the opportunity to graduate from high school with 9 credits in Spanish from the University of Delaware.
contact us
For more information about the Dual Language Immersion Program, please reach out to the schools, or contact Ana Giordani Richter, Dual Language Immersion and World Language Coordinator at ana.giordanirichter@redclay.k12.de.us or phone number: 302-552-3818.