A new way of teaching dual language — putting native English speakers and students whose first language is Spanish in the same preschool class — in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 may debut in the 2024-2025 school year.
Elisabeth Ambroiggio, the director of bilingual and multicultural programs for District 60, said the current dual language effort teaches students classified as English language learners both languages simultaneously in a class geared to achieve grade-level standards.
Ambroiggio said students in the current dual language program continue in that format through high school with the goal of earning a national seal of biliteracy by graduation by demonstrating the ability to read and write fluently in both tongues.
– Original Credit: News-Sun
Preliminary results of a survey quizzing district families on their interest in the potential new program show there is a strong appeal. She said of 163 responses as of Oct. 31, 86% want their children enrolled and 11% would like more information.
District 60 families who want to participate in the survey must complete it on the District 60 website by Nov. 10 to enable Ambroiggio and other administrators to take the necessary steps for Board of Education approval in time for the next school year.
Though there is demand for the proposed new class, she said there is no plan to discontinue the current offering for those who want it. The seal of biliteracy is available to any student who is fluent in English and another language. They must only pass a test.
While current dual language classes are open only to those classified as English language learners tasked with raising their level of English to that of their Spanish, Ambroiggio said the new program is open to anyone whose family wants to enroll them.
“This is for people who want their child to learn an additional language, the Spanish language,” she said. “This will be an opportunity for them to become fully bilingual if they continue with it.”
With a size of 20 students per classroom in preschool, Ambroiggio said there is an opportunity for multiple classes. Which schools will have the program will be determined at a later date.
Once the survey is complete, she said the next step will be holding an informational meeting for parents. It will allow administrators to better gauge community interest. The final step will be board approval.
Another project for Ambroiggio and her team will be observing dual language programs like the one under consideration in Waukegan in nearby communities, like North Shore School District 112 serving Highland Park and Highwood.
District 112 Superintendent Mike Lubelfeld said the dual language program serving kindergartners through eighth graders started more than 25 years ago. Two of the seven elementary schools there — Oak Terrace and Red Oak — are completely dual language.
“They are a combination of native English and Spanish speakers who are taught in both languages simultaneously,” he said. “It is one of our most popular programs.”
Though the other five elementary schools are monolingual, Lubelfeld said English language learners are taught there. There are families where 34 languages other than English or Spanish are spoken in the home.
When students in District 112 reach middle school, he said Northwood Middle School accommodates those who remain in the dual language program. By the time they reach sixth grade, they are already reaching fluency in both tongues.
Rather than choose Spanish or French as a foreign language, Lubelfeld said they are taught language arts and social studies in Spanish, and their other subjects in English. The curriculum is the same at both schools.
