Family Resources

Dual Language and Immersion Basics

Goals and key features of Dual Language and Immersion Education (DLI)

	¡CHISPA! Dual Language Education Resources, news and inspiration for dual language schools, parents, teachers and administrators.
	Dual Language Programs Explained In this video, Diane August, an AIR (American Institutes for Research) managing researcher, explains the benefits of dual language programs and some of the challenges to implementing them.
	​Language Immersion Education in Minnesota​ Must-see video on the role language immersion programs can play in addressing Minnesota’s achievement gap and preparing its children to compete in the global economy. The video unites the voices of researchers and community leaders with those of immersion practitioners and their students.
	Preparing Your Child (and you) for Dual Language Kindergarten Fears and questions from parents who have chosen or who are considering dual language.
	Questions Parents Frequently Ask about Dual Language Immersion
	The Two-Way Immersion Toolkit Information on the goals and key features of two-way dual language immersion education.

Bilingualism and Biliteracy Development

Bilingualism

	The Five Stages of Second Language Acquisition Students learning a second language move through five predictable stages. How quickly students progress through the stages depends on many factors, including level of formal education, family background, and length of time spent in the language.
	The Five Stages of Second Language Acquisition A qualified Speech Therapist and founder of Speech Clinic explains the 5 stages of language acquisition and the difference between first and second language development.
	Stages of Second Language Acquisition: ESL, ELL, LEP & Bilingual This video offers a description of second language acquisition and shows examples of each stage of second language development.
	When to Take Your Bilingual Child to the Speech Pathologist This guide will take you through some of the normal characteristics of bilingual speech acquisition as well as signs that you may want to take your child to a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

Biliteracy

	Early Literacy Instruction in Spanish:  Teaching the Beginning ReaderThis article shares some ways that early Spanish and English literacy instruction are similar and different. It also explains the order in which reading skills are typically taught in Spanish and suggests activities in the classroom and at home that complement instruction.
	Help Your Child Learn to Read This website is filled with tips for what you can do at home, fun activities, suggestions for choosing books to share together, and ideas on how you can prepare your child for a lifetime and love of reading.
	Raising a Bilingual Child: The Importance of Reading What language to use when reading to your child? What language to use when teaching your child to read? What kind of books to choose?  How to keep bilingual kids interested in reading in the minority language? Book recommendations.

The Challenges of DLI

Some challenges that students (and parents!) may face on the pathway to bilingualism

	4 Myths about Struggling Students and Immersion Programs What about students who struggle in immersion education? There’s certainly room in the field for more research on students who struggle in immersion programs, but existing research combined with our collective decades of experience as practitioners lead us to some clear answers to this question.
	Bilingual Language Development and Challenges Kathy Kohnert explains that typical challenges associated with acquiring a second language should be differentiated from communication disorders. She encourages providing support in both the home language, as well as English, for children who are bilingual. She explains that acquiring a home language proficiently helps pave the way for developing English. She clarifies that bilingualism doesn't cause communication disorders and that children with a variety of communication disorders can be bilingual.
	Bilingual Language Development and Disorders This video gives parents and caregivers information on what to expect when children are raised speaking more than one language, and provides information on language delay versus language difference. Includes examples of what a bilingual child’s speech sounds like if he or she has a language disorder.
	Intervention Guidelines for Struggling Learners in Immersion Contexts Dr. Tara Fortune, author of Struggling Learners and Language Immersion Education: Research-Based, Practitioner-Informed Responses to Educators’ Top Questions, provides guidelines for immersion stakeholders to consider as they work to support struggling learners.
	Monolingual Parents of Kids in Dual Language – You’ve Got This! You are excited but also anxious about how to help your child when you do not speak or understand one of those languages.  Though you are not with your child in the classroom, you are part of the program and your participation is key to your child’s learning. Here’s 10 ways you can be your child’s partner in this wonderful journey.
	When to Take Your Bilingual Child to the Speech Pathologist This guide will take you through some of the normal characteristics of bilingual speech acquisition as well as signs that you may want to take your child to a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

College and Career Opportunities

College credit in a variety of ways and many different jobs, careers and other enriching opportunities for dual language speakers

College Credit Opportunities

	AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam
	College in the Schools (Advanced language courses)
	FAQ Bilingual or Multilingual SEAL and World Language Certificates Minnesota Bilingual and Multilingual Seals and World Language Proficiency Certificates
	Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (Advanced language courses)

Career Opportunities

	10 Careers with a Language Degree
	Career Resources for Learners & Speakers of Foreign Languages
	Careers Using Language Skills