The department of Language Acquisition provides and/or oversees language instructional programs and services for Emergent Bilinguals. The Emergent Bilinguals (EB’s) or English Language Learners (ELL’s) receive instruction through one of the following: the Dual Language Education program (DLE) or through the English Language Development program (ELD). The department also oversees and delivers the state mandated ACCESS test for second language English Language Learners (ELL’s). Additionally, through the Dual Language Education program, the department provides first language English learners with an enriching instructional program option.

The technological advances of the last twenty years have made communication easy, fast, and global. In a world that is globally connected, there are greater opportunities to interact with others through multiple languages. Additionally, more and more companies have connections to other countries that aren't English speaking. Consequently, the ability to speak more than one language is an increasingly sought-after skill for today's workforce. The Dual Language Education Program is a highly effective way to teach language skills, while teaching content.

Early implementation of language education, particularly Dual Language Education, helps produce students who are more competent in their 4+1 Language Domains: Listening, speaking, reading, writing skills, and the one we’ve often forgotten in US classrooms meta-linguistic awareness. This is the ability of multilingual students to naturally make connections between the languages that are a part of their one linguistic repertoire. Studies of early-aged bi- or multi-linguals have also shown the positive impact of early language learning on social skills and higher achievement in other content areas. Additionally, (and) one of the main rationales for the implementation of Dual Language in WHPS, is the ability of DLE programs to attain high levels of success in closing the achievement gap for Emergent Bilinguals (EBs).

Here at WHPS we are committed to preparing ALL WHPS students for a competitive global society. We strive to find highly skilled and diverse teaching staff members for the DLE program. Our current staff uses and will work with our Spanish Language Arts curriculum based on rigorous standards, best practices for emergent bilinguals, thematic literature, and authentic Spanish texts.

WHPS' Dual Language program is helping prepare our children to be leaders in changing our country linguistically, in order to compete with numerous other countries where bilingualism is the norm, not the exception. I'm excited to be a part of a district that is constantly looking for ways to help ALL students succeed in a 21st Century society. Have questions? Email Dual Language Coordinator, Ms. Iriana Del Carmen Sanchez Borrely.

Dual Language Education (DLE) Programs are educational programs that teach academic content through two partner languages — for example, in Western Heights’ program, English and Spanish DLE consists of two forms: One-Way Immersion and Two-Way Immersion. A One-Way Immersion classroom consists of students of one language background who are taught academic content in English and the partner language. A Two-Way Immersion classroom consists of native or dominant speakers of English and native or dominant speakers of the partner language*, who are taught academic content in English and in the partner language.

In the DLE classroom, each content area is taught in a specified language and is not translated or taught a second time in the other language. Additionally, cultural awareness is embedded in instructional practices, instructional materials and through peer interaction.

Currently, the Two-Way Dual Language Education Program in WHPS serves approximately 84 students, which is about 35 percent of the total student population in grades PreK-2nd. Our DLE students speak English or Spanish as their first or dominant language. Classes are a mix of students from different backgrounds and languages.