Immersion Program
language majority students instructed in a second language. Immersion bilingual education is different from dual language bilingual education because of the language background of students. This program’s target population is the language majority students instructed in a second language. In contrast to dual language programs whose aim is to contain a combination of language minority and language majority students.
- Early immersion students are at kindergarten or infant stage
- Late immersion or secondary level students are 9 - 10 years old
- Total immersion comences with 100% immersion in second language
reducing it after two or three years
- Partial immersion consists of 50 % immersion in second language
throughtout infant and junior schooling.
- Immersion curriculum is the same as the local first language curriculum.
Click on the video to view actual footage of a language immersion program in action while providing a brief synopsis of the program.
References
Baker, C. (2004). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (4th ed.) Multilingual
Matters, Clevedon.
Cloud, N., Genesee, F., Hamayan, E. (2000). Dual language instruction: A handbook for enriched
education. Building Equitable Two-Way Bilingual Programs (pp. 11-12).
Boston, MA: Heinle.
Garcia, O. (2009). Bilingual education in the 21st century: A global perspective.
Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.