International Spanish Academy - Dual Language Program

In 1994, MacArthur started District 54’s first English Spanish dual language program with one kindergarten classroom. Each year the program grew, and MacArthur now has dual-language classrooms at every grade level. When the first class was ready to enter junior high school, District 54 started a dual-language program at Eisenhower Junior High as well.

The Dual Language Program is unique because all children in the classroom learn two languages and cultures. It is comprised of two groups of students, native English speakers and native speakers of a language other than English. Each student is both a language expert and a language learner, so all students are at the same level.

The goals of the program are as follows:

• To perform academically at grade level commensurate with their monolingual English-speaking peers.
• To use two languages comfortably and effectively in social situations appropriate for their age level
• To communicate effectively through reading and writing in two languages at a level appropriate for their age
• To demonstrate an appreciation of cultural diversity and cross-cultural competence across a variety of social situations

The program’s success led to more and more parents wanting to enroll their children in dual language. Therefore, over the years, District 54 has added English-Spanish dual language programs at Enders-Salk, Hanover Highlands and Link elementary schools and Keller Junior High School. In addition, Dooley Elementary School and Addams Junior High School now have Japanese-English Dual Language Programs.

MacArthur Elementary is one of 97 schools recognized as an International Spanish Academy in the United States and Canada. MacArthur received this honor in 2007. Through the memorandum of understanding between MacArthur and District 54 and the Spanish Ministry of Education, MacArthur has benefited in the following ways:

• MacArthur has hosted visiting teachers who have enriched the linguistic and cultural knowledge of our students.
• MacArthur staff members have participated in professional development activities from the Spanish Ministry held in District 54, in other states in the U.S. and even in Spain.
• The Spanish Ministry has donated authentic Spanish literature resources to our libraries and we have many materials on permanent loan from the Spanish Resource Center in Indiana.
• Our education advisor from Spain supports our school in initiatives such as the District 54 Spanish Speech Competition by finding sponsors within the Spanish community.
• MacArthur was awarded third place in the 2010 Spanish School of the Year Competition. MacArthur was chosen from Dual Language and Immersion schools from across the United States.

Frequently asked questions about the Dual Language Program

What are the expectations of the Dual Language program?

After six to seven years of instruction, the goals of the Dual Language Program are:

• Students will perform academically at grade level in two languages commensurate with monolingual English speaking peers.
• Students will use two languages comfortably and effectively in social situations appropriate for age level.
• Students will communicate effectively through reading and writing in two languages at a level appropriate for their age.
• Students will demonstrate an appreciation of cultural diversity and cross-cultural competence across a variety of social situations.

What are the benefits for my child in the Dual Language program?

For native English speakers, your child will have the gift of developing Spanish as a second language at an early age while continuing to grow in English.  For Native Spanish speakers, your child will be able to develop English as a second language while enriching their mother tongue,  Spanish.  All children will learn appropriate academic skills while developing their bilingual proficiency.  Moreover, your child will be able to develop social skills that allow him/her to make friends in a multicultural and multilingual world.

Will my child fall behind in basic skills like Reading, Writing and Math because of the second language?

No.  Studies have shown that children in Dual Language programs, as a group, perform the same or better than their monolingual English speaking peers in Achievement Tests in Math, Reading and Writing.  Current results of Terra Nova tests of Dual Language students in School District 54 show the same outcome.

Will my child learn to read and write in English or Spanish first?

Although children are taught to read and write first in their respective native languages, both English and Spanish literacy is taught through reading and writing workshops, beginning in Kindergarten.  Usually, by third grade, many children read and write comfortably in their native language and are developing literacy skills in the second language.