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welcome to the addalingua blog
We’re regularly reading up on research and news in the field of dual language immersion education. We use our blog to distill that information and share it with you, dear reader. You’ll also find stories from our partner schools, teacher features, and instructional insights from our crack team of addalingua immersion instructional experts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on our blog, use the contact button at the bottom of this page and let us know what issue or topic you’d like to see us tackle next. Happy reading!
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What is the addalingua difference? A veteran immersion teacher shares her perspective.
Heather’s story resonates loudly for a variety of reasons, perhaps most notably because she has extensive time invested in immersion education long before meeting team…
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Stay in the target language with circumlocution: mindset, method & awesome madness.
We work day-in and day-out with teachers and leaders to build and maintain a relentless commitment to boosting immersion language skills, but setbacks happen.
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boost student language output: implement and maximize the turn-and-talk strategy
One of the foundational strategies we teach our addalingua partner teachers is “turn-and-talk.”
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addressing the summer slide for immersion students: ideas for fostering a love of language outside of school
We all want the best for our kids and for them to maintain as much language learning as possible, even when they’re away from their…
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4 myths about struggling students and immersion programs.
What about students who struggle in immersion education?
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We’re helping immersion administrators collaborate – addalingua un.conference reflections
We’re big fans of collaborative learning.
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How to focus on English Specific Skills (ESS) (and avoid double teaching in Spanish immersion classrooms).
Knowing what these skills are and how and when to introduce them in the classroom will impact everything from immersion program design to the instructional…
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addalingua immersion and love for Puerto Rico: increasing student cultural awareness
The connections these students are making using language as the engine to inspire action is a definite example of success toward cultural sensitivity.
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addalingua immersion means whole school impact: reflections from Redlands Christian Lower School
"We knew that we wanted our immersion program to be a high-quality program, and that we wanted expert guidance."
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launch notes: What it’s like to build and grow an addalingua Spanish immersion program?
Exploring the possibility of launching a dual language immersion program?
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dual language immersion education: take the leap
"If you are considering it, take the leap... You won’t regret it!"
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Want to help your child develop tenacity? Consider immersion education.
That character trait shows up all throughout the language immersion experience and develops the character to push forward in the face of challenge.
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How to hire, develop, and keep a quality immersion teaching team.
One of the questions that always surfaces when we talk with school leaders and communities about dual language immersion education is…where do we find immersion…
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6 questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in a dual language immersion program
Click to read a list of questions to ask about dual language immersion programs as your consider options for your child.
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teacher feature: Christa Holland-Anderson
addalingua direct or immersion academic and instruction allies Stephanie Irizarry asks Maestra Holland-Anderson to describe her journey to Holland Language Academy as a Spanish immersion…
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We’re the center of the world.
"But what I really want is to teach my children that their primary goal is to lay down their lives for others, to sacrifice for…
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teacher feature: Silvia Núñez
Join addalingua direct of immersion academic and instructional allies Stephanie Irizarry and Maestra Núñez as they dive into Silvia’s journey becoming a Spanish immersion teacher in…
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trusting the model
"Everything we had been told about trusting that what she would learn would transfer over to English was true."
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expanding your cultural horizon
"I want to encourage you, reader, as you soak in this article to think how you can expand your cultural horizon and introduce your kids to…
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teacher feature: Nayeli Venegas
ALL students can learn when we rally behind them and provide solid care and instruction.
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Meet the Alvarado-Ibarra family.
Maria Ibarra and her son Alex inspire us and share their story at a 90-10 two-way partner school.
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Don’t abandon the learner, maximize their investment in language learning.
Research continues to support immersion models that offer more and not less time in the immersion language at the secondary level.
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Why early Spanish literacy instruction is a gift to students.
One study found that it takes an average of 2.5 years longer to become literate in English than in Spanish.
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Is the U.S. playing catch up with the world on language education? 5 minutes with Dr. Tara Fortune
Did you know that our founding fathers believed adopting an English-only stance was “incompatible with the spirit of freedom?”
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preparing your community for dual language immersion education
We help schools do the important “why” work early–ensuring that the community understands and owns a vision for dual language immersion education.
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Michigan policy makers tour addalingua partner schools.
"What came through very clearly was the power of dual language immersion education for both minority and majority language dominant students."
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gold standard dual language immersion education: putting it into practice
One of the key features of quality dual language immersion education is an intentional effort to raise the status of the immersion language.
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new study: Two-way dual language programs best for English language learners
A new study, released jointly by Rice University and Houston ISD, found that the most effective way to help non-native speakers acquire English is to…
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talking dual language immersion with policy makers and administrators
“If we’re not going to prepare our kids to compete on the world stage, it’s not going to be good.”
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This is your bilingual brain, illustrated.
TED-ED recently published a short, but powerful new video explaining the significant brain benefits that accompany bilingualism.
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Dual language immersion strengthens the brain and enlarges the heart part 1 and 2.
What can learning another language do for the heart?
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the Atlantic: dual language immersion a bright spot in American language education
While monolingualism may be today’s normal, we’re encouraged that more and more school administrators, parents and students are embracing dual language immersion education.