In Northside, we enrich the linguistic, academic and affective learning experiences for students. Every student and family grows as part of an educational community that empowers all to excel while celebrating multiculturalism. Our goal is to provide learning experiences that inspire students' confidence, curiosity, and capability.
Dual Language Immersion Two-way Bilingual Program
The NISD Dual Language Bilingual Program model in Northside is research-based. The dual language model seeks to create bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural students by developing their academic proficiency in English and Spanish.
Goal: Emergent Bilingual students attain bilingualism, biliteracy, and sociocultural competence to reach high levels of literacy and academic achievement in the partner language and English.
Instruction: Emergent Bilingual students receive instruction in literacy and academic content in their partner language as well as English from teachers certified in bilingual/ESL education. At least 50% of the instruction is delivered in the students’ primary language for the duration of the program.
Transitional Bilingual Academic Program
Northside’s Transitional Bilingual/Early exit is a bilingual program model in which students identified as Emergent Bilingual students are served in both English and the students' primary language and are prepared to meet reclassification criteria to be successful in English instruction with no second language acquisition supports not earlier than two or later than five years after the student enrolls in school.
Goal: Emergent Bilingual students utilize their primary language as a resource while acquiring full proficiency in English to participate equitably in school.
Instruction: Emergent Bilingual students receive instruction in literacy and academic content in their primary language as well as English from teachers certified in bilingual education. As the child acquires English, the amount of instruction provided in the primary language decreases until full proficiency in English is attained.
Dual Language/ Transitional at Westward Terrace
Transitional:
- Transitional bilingual/early exit is a bilingual program model in which students identified as English learners are served in both English and another language and are prepared to meet reclassification criteria to be successful in English-only instruction not earlier than two or later than five years after the student enrolls in school.
- Instructional Approach - This model provides instruction in literacy and academic content through the medium of the students’ primary language, along with instruction in English that targets second language development through academic content.
Dual Language:
At Westwood Terrace Elementary, your child has the opportunity to be bilingual. The dual language program is introduced in kinder and/or first grade. Our highly-qualified teachers instruct students in both the Spanish and English language.
At the start of the program, there is a higher percent emphasis on building a strong Spanish foundation. With each passing grade level, the percentage of the English instruction increases. Learning two languages at the elementary level is much more attainable than at the middle or high school level. Young children have the ability to gain language faster with near native like language skills. Learning a language at a young age also increases cognitive development, which allows for deeper levels of learning.
By the fifth grade, students are bilingual and biliterate with 50/50 percent instruction. Ask us today about this exemplary program, and open new doors for your child to further their academic and economic success.
