HOW TO ACHIEVE
SUCCESS IN IMMERSION
Helping
Helping Your
Your Child
Child Learn
Learn in
in aa Foreign
Foreign
Language
Language Instruction
Instruction Setting
Setting
Why Are We Here Today?
Our
Our Goals:
Goals:
• Discuss and Analyze how Immersion
children learn a Foreign Language
(Spanish or French) at Blythe
Academy.
• Provide strategies that will help our
children achieve success both inside
and outside school settings.
Why
Why Do
Do We
We Focus
Focus on
on
Science
Science and
and Math?
Math?
• Our school teaches languages
according to the South Carolina Math
and Science curriculum.
• If you can not speak the target
language you are not in a disadvantage
to help your child. Connect with your
child through the math instruction and
science contents.
What Happens in the
Immersion Classroom?
• Children experience the subject
matter in the foreign language.
• Children acquire the essential
elements of lesson (topic of the day).
• Children make connections between
their first (native) language and the
language being learned.
What
What Happens
Happens Next?
Next?
The
The Next
Next Lesson?
Lesson?
• Children look at the information learned
the previous day and have the
opportunity to review it.
• Teacher emphasizes learned vocabulary,
key words and learned skills.
• Teacher uses a variety of tools or
activities to reinforce previous learning.
• Students interact and have the
opportunity to ask, clarify and expand
knowledge.
What Happens
Happens at
at Home?
Home?
What
• Whether kids are in immersion or not,
it is crucial to have a specific time
and space to complete assignments.
• Take into consideration your child’s
schedule after school before coming
up with a study plan.
• Kids need to know what is expected
and stick to a regular schedule and
routine.
Why
Why is
is Homework
Homework
Important
Important for
for Us?
Us?
• Supports the curriculum and enhances
student achievement.
• Reinforces, synthesizes, and extends
classroom learning in both languages.
• Helps students develop responsibility
and good work habits.
• To be completed independently with
minimum parental help.
What can I do for my child?
• Support what we are doing in the classroom.
Kids need to know that what they are doing is
important and you back them up 100%.
• Ask your child frequently what they did in class
and have them explain it in English.
“Mom, Today I learned about worms and what
they eat to survive”
“Wow, I have no clue what they eat. Can you
tell me more about that?”
• Focus on the Science and the Math elements. If
they can tell you about what they are learning
they are understanding the target language!
Strategies
Strategies for
for Homework
Homework
• Allow your child to do it as much as possible
on their own. Always begin with the easy
tasks.
• Word Problems. It is okay if you are unable
to help them. Have your child check the class
work of that day. Have your child read the
word problem aloud. Have your child explain
in English what goes on in the problem.
• Science Homework. Teacher usually explains
it before it is sent home.
• Projects. Explanations and instructions are
always in both languages. Contact the
teacher in case of questions.
Strategies
Strategies for
for Assessments
Assessments
• Math. Take a look at what we do in the
classroom and as homework. Give your kids
examples at home to work extra if you
feel they need it. Quizzes and test are
very similar to what we do everyday.
• Manipulatives. Use the opportunity in real
life to relate to mathematical problems.
– Concrete Materials. Use beans, sticks, rocks,
marbles, money, etc.
– Role Playing. Have your child be your teacher and
come up with questions to ask you.
– Everyday Activities. Have fun, math has infinite
opportunities for learning right in your home.
Strategies
Strategies for
for Assessments
Assessments
• Science. There is an introduction page and
study guide going home for every unit. Take
advantage of it by working on concepts from
day one.
• Use flash cards the kids can put together.
• Get online to find websites that will enable
the learning experience. Look at the teacher
website for ideas.
• Ask your child to talk about what we are
doing in class. There are many things going
on.
• Study in English but ask your child to give
you answers in both languages.
Remember:
• Support your School in general and your
Language classroom in particular.
• Get involved daily in your child’s instruction.
• Follow a schedule, stick to a routine.
• Have a quiet and organized place to work.
• Have all supplies available (ruler, pencils, eraser,
etc.).
• When help is needed, you must:
- Ask your child to read question aloud in Spanish.
- Ask your child to explain the question with
his/her own words in English.
• Don’t procrastinate. Study everyday and don’t
let projects to accumulate.
Whichever options you choose to
help your child, the most
important thing is to be
persistent and keep a positive
attitude. Languages are a
wonderful treasure!