Dual Immersion

The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program is designed to build academic and language fluency in both English and a second language. Students have the opportunity to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in two languages. American Leadership Academy offers Spanish as the second language in the Dual Language Immersion Program.

Dual language immersion offers a rich bilingual experience for young learners when their minds are developmentally best able to acquire a second language.

DLI PROGRAM GOALS

Bilingualism: High levels of proficiency in English and in a second language (Spanish)

Biliteracy: High levels of academic achievement in English and in Spanish in all content areas

Multicultural Competence: Understanding different cultures and development of high esteem language immersion offers a rich bilingual experience for young learners when their minds are developmentally best able to acquire a second language.

WHY DUAL-LANGUAGE IMMERSION?

More than 40 years of research consistently documents the power of immersion programs to help students attain high levels of second language proficiency. No other type of instruction, short of living in a second-language environment, is as successful.

Young children especially thrive in this type of instructional environment. In addition, language immersion is also the least expensive way to deliver second-language instruction.

Students enjoy the advantage of two caring, qualified teachers. The English-speaking teacher uses half of the instruction day to teach English language arts (reading, writing, and spelling) as well as reinforce other subjects of the curriculum (science, social studies, and math).

The Spanish-speaking teacher uses the other half of the day to teach Spanish Literacy, Math, social studies, and /or science depending on the grade. Both teachers base their instruction on the Utah Common Core Curriculum.

In class, the Spanish teacher speaks only in Spanish and communicates using a range of engaging strategies, including pictures, songs, games, body language, expressions, drama, pantomime, etc. Children at this age are adept at picking up language in meaningful contexts. After a brief period at the beginning of the year, students too will speak only in Spanish during Spanish class.

How to Apply

All applications are submitted through Infinite Campus during enrollment.
When you enroll your child and select the Dual Immersion option, they will be entered into the Dual Immersion lottery.

Families will receive a notification if their child is selected.
If not selected, your child will be placed on a waitlist in case spots open up.

No testing is required for kindergarten applicants. Testing may be required for students applying to upper grades. For any questions, please contact our Dual Immersion Director, Erika Richan.

Proven Benefits

ACADEMIC/EDUCATIONAL

Perform at or above their non-immersion peers on standardized tests administered in English
Achieve high levels of functional proficiency in the immersion language, i.e. display fluency, confidence, and native-like levels of comprehension in immersion language

COGNITIVE

Achieve metalinguistic awareness
Achieve higher levels of proficiency when compared with students in non-immersion language programs
Attain greater cognitive flexibility and better nonverbal problem-solving abilities
Outperform monolinguals in the areas of divergent thinking, pattern recognition, and problem solving

SOCIOCULTURAL

Allows access to foreign media, literature and art
Helps student understand, navigate, and enjoy intercultural difference
Leads to respect, positive attitudes and an appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity
Helps students better understand their own culture

ECONOMIC

World language abilities are increasingly important to national security, delivery of health care, economic competitiveness, and law enforcement in the United States.
Future high-level, high-paying jobs will require competence in more than one language.

What Parents Are Saying

“We love the Spanish DLI program! It is the reason we have stayed at American Leadership Academy…”

“I love that my children get the opportunity to learn a second language. A skill that will be used both now and in the future.”

Students who complete their DLI* education at American Leadership Academy may earn the official Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy will be awarded to a student who is proficient in English and Spanish languages through participation in AP classes and passing the designated tests.

Dual Immersion Team

Erika was born in Mexico City. This is her 8th year at ALA. Loves to go hiking, sewing and enjoying tome with Family.

ERika Richan

4th. Grade Spanish / Dual Immersion Director

Mrs. Romero was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. She has taught in the dual immerssion program for 4 years and this is her second year teaching kindergarte, but now teaching in both languages. Mrs. Romero loves spending time with her family, being out in the nature and decorating her house for each season.

Iovanna Romero

Kindergarten English and Spanish

Sra. Martinez was born in Banyeres de Mariola, Spain. This is her 3rd year at ALA. As a native Spanish speaker, she love to share her language and the vibrant Spanish culture with her students. Her goal is to foster a safe, creative environment where students can develop their Spanish language skills and buil confidence in the language.

Maite Martinez

Kindergarten Spanish

Mrs. Alvarado was born in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. She has taught for over 11 years and is her third year teaching Kindergarten at ALA. She loves seeing children grow confident while learning two languages every day. She loves spending time with her family.

Marivid Alvarado

Kindergarten English

Mrs. Paz was born in Ecuador. She has taught for over 5 years in her home country and is her first year teaching first grade at ALA. She loves spending time with her family. She enjoys teaching, cooking and listening to music.

Myriam Paz

1st Grade Spanish

Mrs. Mather was born in Maine, but grew up mainly in California. This is her eleventh year teaching at ALA. She taught Kindergaten for eight years and is on her third year of teaching First Grade. She taught Kindergarten Dual Immersion-English for one year and this is her second year of teaching First Grade Dual Immersion-English. She enjoys speding time with her family, learning, reading, swimming and eating ice cream.

Heidi Mather

1st Grade English

Mrs. Ruiz was born in Venezuela a South America Country.This is her 6 year at ALA.She enjoys teaching Spanish and see the passion the students have for learn .She loves spending time with her familiy

Dayana Ruiz

2nd Grade Spanish

Ms. Hill grew up in the tiny town of Delta, Utah. This is her 7th year at ALA and she has loved teaching 2nd Grade Dual Language for those 7 years. She enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, baking, reading, hiking, and visiting Lake Powell.

Nicole Hill

2nd Grade English

Mrs. Bedon was born in Ecuador. She has taught for 7 years in her home country and is now in her 3rd year at ALA. She enjoys teachig Spanish. In her free time she loves spending time with her family doing different activities specially playing soccer.

Fernanda Bedon

3rd Grade Spanish

Mrs. Rawle was born in Walnut Creek, CA, but grew up in Provo, UT. this is her second year at ALA, but third year in dual immersion. She loves spending time with her family, reading, camping, four-wheeling, and writing.

Corinne Rawle

3rd Grade English

Ms. Martinez was born in Denver, Colorado. This is her 3rd year at ALA and she has loved being in the dual immersion program. She loves dancing, photography, and spending time with her family (especially her niece and nephews.)

Leah Martinez

4th Grade English

Isabel is an elementary school teacher from Ecuador with 13 years of teaching experience. She completed her studies in Ecuador and earned a Master’s degree in Primary Education in Madrid, Spain. She is passionate about fostering meaningful learning experiences and supporting the personal growth of the students.

Isabel Mora

5th Grade Spanish

Mrs. Jill Hernandez was born and raised in Genola, Utah on a diary farm. She has been an educator for over a decade. She enjoys writing, singing, teaching, and being with her family.

Jill Hernandez

5th Grade English

Michela was born in Italy but she spent more than half her life in Spain. This is the first year in ALA but she has been teaching for 13 years. She enjoys hiking, reading, being with her family, and Utah.

Michela Mecucci

6th Grade Spanish

Mrs. Boren was born and raised in a Gunnison, Utah . This is her 7th year at ALA. Mrs. Boren loves to be with her family. You can find them camping, hiking, fishing, backpacking, rock crawling in Moab and just being out in nature whenever possible.