WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:35 — 3.3MB)
The City of Bloomington is recognizing the Monroe County Community School Corporation’s dual language immersion program during a National Hispanic Heritage Month Annual Award Ceremony on September 30, 2019.The MCCSC’s dual language program will receive the City of Bloomington Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs Outstanding Organization and Program Award.
The dual language program is run at two Bloomington schools; Summitt Elementary and Clear Creek Elementary. The program, now in its third year, currently teaches Spanish to children in kindergarten through the third grade. Enrollment in the program is optional, and the students who enroll are chosen via a lottery process.Julian Luna is a first-grade Spanish teacher in the program at Summit Elementary. Luna explains how dual language immersion works.
Language teachers often pair Spanish vocabulary with movement, to help students better remember the material. Luna describes how this method, known as total physical response, helps students process language.
Luna says ideally, children who enroll in the dual language program will be in the program from kindergarten until their high school years. Luna says their goal is for students graduating from the program to have a minor in Spanish.
Luna outlines how dual language programs are especially important for kids who are native Spanish speakers.
MCCSC’s dual language program will be recognized by the City of Bloomington Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs tonight during the National Hispanic Heritage Month Annual Award Ceremony. The ceremony will be hosted at City’s Hall Council Chambers at 5:30 PM
