Riverbank Language Academy

RLA's dual “two-way” immersion program brings together native speakers of Spanish, with native speakers of English, in the same classroom. Both groups of students develop fluency and literacy in both languages. The early grades are taught mostly in Spanish. The amount of English-language instruction increases as the children progress through the grades. English-language instruction typically reaches 50 percent by fifth grade*. 

 

Two-Way Immersion 90/10 Model:  

Grade          Spanish      English
K and 1st         90%               10%
2nd                 80%               20%
3rd                 70%               30%
4th                 60%               40%
5-8th             50%                50%*

 

*RLA middle grades (6-8) coursework is not always 50% Spanish and 50% English

 

A careful analysis of the current DLI research indicates that the educational and linguistic needs of both ELL and EO students can best be met by combining the most effective features of immersion foreign language education and two-way immersion (90/10 model) education into a unified Dual Language Immersion model.  Dual Language Immersion programs are most effective when both EO students and ELL students are fully integrated for a majority of their instruction.  In Kindergarten, for example, students are taught intensive Spanish oral language skills. Such skills enrich students’ academic performance as they are promoted to the upper grades. When English and Spanish speaking students, as well as students of different performance levels, are given opportunities to interact and work together, they benefit linguistically, academically and socially.  Dual Language Immersion programs have delivered impressive rates of academic success in both English and the minority language (Spanish) for both limited English proficient students, native English speakers, and bilingual students, (Tempes, 1984-85; Krashen & Biber, 1988). 

 

Click here to read this Wall Street Journal article.