Language Immersion Programs at CISD

Chinese Language Immersion Summer Program (open to 6th-12th grade)

CISD is offering a summer enrichment program STARTALK Chinese Language Immersion Program for 6th-12th graders during June and July.

This summer we are offering a new enrichment program for our 6-12 students. It is the STARTALK Chinese Language Immersion Program! It is open to any CISD student in 6th to 12th grade and will be hosted at Coppell Middle School West during the dates of summer school, June 15th-July 16^th. Classes will be held Monday through Thursday, 8 am ~ 12:15 pm and will total 80 hours of instruction.

The certified teachers will be hired through STARTALK and supervised by CISD Summer School staff. All teachers will go through a criminal background check. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of the language and instruction will be divided into Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced classes as needed.

There is no cost to students. The Application Deadline is May 25, 2009

It is important to note that this is an enrichment course. It is not a credit recovery or credit acceleration course. Students will not gain any credits for their CISD transcript. It is designed to promote language skills and cultural awareness.

Spanish Language Immersion Program at Wilson (open to entering K)

CISD has been piloting a Spanish Immersion program at Austin Elementary. The dual language program is now going to be housed at Wilson with changes based on the lessons learned from the pilot program. Kindergarten students in the fall are eligible for participation in the program. There will be 2 classes dedicated to Spanish immersion and the day will be divided into 2 parts — The morning session: students in classroom A will be in Spanish, classroom B will be in English; then in the afternoon, the students will swap classrooms and learn in the other language.

Each class will have a balance of English and Spanish speakers. In the event that there are more applicants than positions, those positions will first be filled by students who are in Wilson’s attendance zone and than a lottery will be held to fill any remaining positions. So, even if your child is to attend another Kindergarten program next year, you could apply to the dual immersion program at Wilson. Of course, if your child is accepted and lives outside Wilson’s attendance boundary, you would need to provide transportation for your child to Wilson. Each year, a class will be added so that eventually Wilson will have K-5 dual immersion program.

Of course, students participating in the class will still be eligible for participation in Challenge and other pull-out opportunities. Additionally, they will socialize with other students outside the program in specials and recess.

This is a unique opportunity for our children to learn a foreign language at a young age — and may offer the additional academic challenge that gifted children craves.