We are pursuing a dual language program for our English-only speaking four year old. I have done a lot of reasearch on the program and and very excited about it! My husband was content to leave the decision to me until I got him involved. Once he saw what the program is about, he became equally as excited.

The school likely has a lot of information on the program they would be happy to share. In our district, kids in a dual language program test higher on average then kids in a traditional classroom. If you have not already made up your mind to pull your daughter out of the dual language program, I urge you to set up an appointment with the dual language specialist to discuss your concerns. You should be able to tour some classrooms so you can get an idea of what the children are learning at various grade levels. In our district, the program is taught 90% in Spanish at the kindergarten level. That drops 10% per year until fifth grade when the curriculum is delivered in 40% Spanish and 60% English. You would continue to speak to your daughter in English at home so she would continue learning proper grammar from you. We have been told that it takes 5 to 7 years for a child to fully master a language. If your daughter is older and would only be in the program for a couple of years, that would be something to consider. If you would like any of the research I have found, please e mail me privately.

If your daughter would be happy in such a classroom - and if she has an 'ear' for learning language - I think this class you describe would be a wonderful opportunity. I'd leap at it for my own children.
But sadly neither of my children have an 'ear' for learning language and they'd struggle in such a classroom with learning the other language. They'd thrive though on the wonderful cultural opportunity that it would be and such an education would get a LOT of attention from college admissions counselors and likely on job applications too. What an interesting school this is to do something so innovative as this! I admire this school.

But whether it's the right school or the right program for your daughter remains to be seen. Does she have any interest in learning Spanish? Has she ever shown any interest in foreign languages or other cultures?

As to learning English, there is nothing that teaches English better than a language other than English. Learning a foreign language absolutely illuminates what's special and different about your own language. I came to a new understanding of the special qualities of English - and I've spoken it all my life - when I was taught that I can't say " I am working hard" in German. In that language, you can only say "I work hard." Yet it's very different to say I am working hard than I work hard. English in that case offers greater possibilities of expression.
And the day I learned that there are words in other languages that don't exist in English - gave me an entirely new understanding of language. We can't say 'gemutlichkeit' in English- we don't have a word for that and so I can't translate it.
In Spanish when you say you're sorry, you're really saying " I feel it" - isn't that interesting? Latin has no word for please. Why? Because the Romans didn't beg or were impolite people?

I've gone on far too long but please know learning another language is the best way to learn about English. Whether it's the best education for your daughter still remains another matter. What does she think about all this?

Please tell me what your impression is of this type of program. Unfortunately, I had no input at the time my daughter was enrolled in this school. I did however express my concern to her father. Now all of a sudden he wants to put her in a private school. I don't think she would do well with the transition. She seems to be having trouble this year and I have been working with her by having her do work from a few grade appropriate workbooks I purchased from a teacher supply store.

I should've added that I would tend to suspect that less will be learned regarding grammar/writing/reading than in a conventional classroom.

I'm a HS English and math teacher; I don't have any experience with the classroom you describe. I only have impressions. Is your child there in order to learn Spanish, then? Or is this just the setup you've been dealt?
John

Hello
Thank you for your response. This is a public elementary school where (10) non-Spanish speaking students are taught in Spanish (as well as English) and (10) non-English speaking or limited English speaking students are taught in English (as well as in Spanish). They are all taught in same class room.

Hi;
What do you mean by a dual language program; is this a class with nonEnglish-speaking students?
John