Wyoming Dual Language Immersion Program - Parental Task Force

Imagine a Wyoming classroom of first graders having a conversation in Chinese. Imagine a Wyoming born and breed student giving a presentation entirely in Spanish. With both of these situations, imagine that these students’ test scores are at or above their English only peers. Are these two scenarios impossible for Wyoming’s children? A group of parents, teachers, businesses and community members are striving to allow Casper families the option of enrolling their children in either a Spanish, Mandarin or French dual language immersion program. The dual language immersion philosophy is based on a young child’s openness and predisposition to learning language. For those families that choose to enroll them in a dual language immersion program, the student would receive 50% of their instruction in English and 50% in a second language taught by a native or highly advanced speaker. Both teachers would work as a two person team to ensure that ALL subject material is presented clearly, understood and is mastered. The teacher who is teaching in English would incorporate appropriate reviews of the subject material taught in the second language. This is to ensure that all students are understanding the material and making progress needed to pass the annual standardized tests. The successful model we are emulating is the State of Utah’s Dual Immersion Program. The idea was first conceived as an economic engine for attracting businesses to the state as well as preparing Utah’s students for the global economy. The State of Utah has over 26,000 students learning in a second language every year at 85 schools. The program offers five language immersion programs; Spanish, Chinese, French, German and Portuguese. Utah’s goal is to have its dual immersion high school freshman capable of taking and passing the AP language exam. Utah is providing their students with the opportunity to prepare for the global economy. Will Wyoming?