Dual Language Program
WHAT IS THE VANGUARD DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM?
The Dual Language Program has been implemented for five years at Vanguard Academy and is available at all elementary campuses across the district. Children who speak Spanish as a native language are highly encouraged to participate in the program and can begin at the pre-kindergarten level. The dual language program at Vanguard Academy is currently up to the third grade and will continue to grow by one grade level each year. The dual language program aims to develop bi-literate and bicultural students.
Vanguard Academy also offers an early college program, which provides the opportunity for students to earn an associate’s or two years of their university degree before high school graduation. The dual language program at Vanguard Academy aims to graduate bi-literate and bicultural 21st-century learners with a seal of biliteracy and up to 60 college credit hours on graduation. Students who participate in the dual language program will be better prepared for the rigors of the early college program and Advanced Placement testing.
When you learn in more than one language, your brain becomes better at juggling ideas and problem-solving in real-time. Did you know that people who speak more than one language are less likely to develop cognitive decline later in life, like Alzheimer's? Why? Because bilingual brains are denser than monolingual brains. A dense brain is better at remembering things and making complex decisions that are needed in the 21st-century labor market. Bilinguals also have higher yearly salaries on average because their language skills are in demand.
2. Biliterate students have excellent communication skills.
Not only can biliterates communicate in more than one language, but they are more confident in public speaking because learning in more than one language encourages active communication and participation.
3. These students embrace cultural awareness and diversity.
When you learn a new language, you also learn a new culture. In the 21st-century globalized economy, the ability to communicate in more than one language and work in different cultures is in high demand. By the way, if you learn a second language learning additional languages is easy
4. A child’s strong self-esteem and native language are at the heart of identity, which is supported through the dual language program. Students who can connect to learning in their language enjoy success and have higher levels of self-esteem and confidence.
( Mansori, M. (2021). Positive Impacts of Dual Language Programs. https://www.participatelearning.com/)
