The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program is designed to build academic and language fluency in both English and a second language. Students have the opportunity to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in two languages. Ogden school district offers Spanish as the second language in the Dual Language Immersion Program.
Dual language immersion offers a rich bilingual experience for young learners when their minds are developmentally best able to acquire a second language.
DLI Program Goals
Bilingualism: High levels of proficiency in English and in a second language (Spanish)
Biliteracy: High levels of academic achievement in English and in Spanish in all content areas
Multicultural Competence: Understanding different cultures and development of high esteem
Why Dual-Language Immersion?
More than 40 years of research consistently documents the power of immersion programs to help students attain high levels of second language proficiency. No other type of instruction, short of living in a second-language environment, is as successful.
Young children especially thrive in this type of instructional environment. In addition, language immersion is also the least expensive way to deliver second-language instruction.
Students enjoy the advantage of two caring, qualified teachers. The English-speaking teacher uses half of the instruction day to teach English language arts (reading, writing, and spelling) as well as reinforce other subjects of the curriculum (science, social studies, and math).
The Spanish-speaking teacher uses the other half of the day to teach Spanish Literacy, Math, social studies, and /or science depending on the grade. Both teachers base their instruction on the Utah Common Core Curriculum.
In class, the Spanish teacher speaks only in Spanish and communicates using a range of engaging strategies including pictures, songs, games, body language, expressions, drama, pantomime, etc. Children at this age are adept at picking up language in meaningful contexts. After a brief period at the beginning of the year, students too will speak only in Spanish during Spanish class.
Students who complete their DLI* education at Ogden School District may earn the official Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy will be awarded to a student who is proficient in English and Spanish.
A “Seal of Biliteracy" means a seal placed electronically on a student's high school transcript that indicates a student has achieved in English, and in a world language grades 1-12, a level of proficiency described in the following two categories, which align to the Utah World Language Core Standards (ACTFL):
A. Platinum Seal – Advanced Low (ACTFL scale)
B. Gold Seal – Intermediate Mid (ACTFL scale)
For equity issues, the Seal will be administered at the State level, and schools districts may not opt out.
*The DLI program is one option to obtain the Seal of Biliteracy. Students may also obtain the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish or other languages through participation in IB or AP classes and passing the designated tests.