Frequently Asked Questions
Will learning two languages confuse a child or slow academic progress?
Research have shown that young children have the capacity to learn multiple languages and have demonstrated stronger cognitive abilities. According to a study by Peal and Lambert, “bilinguals have greater mental flexibility, greater abstract thinking, greater
lexical independence, superior concept formulation and higher verbal IQ than
monolinguals.”
Why is it better for a child to learn language at the elementary level?
Children tend to develop a more native-like pronounciation when language learning begins before adolescence.
Will students in the immersion classroom learn the same things in the general education classroom?
The Dual immersion program base the curriculum on the California State Standards. In addition to the California State Standards, this program integrates the California World Language Standards and the ACTFL Standards.
Are students exposed to only 50% of the curriculum?
A common misconception about the Dual Immersion program is that student receives only 50% of the curriculum because English is taught for 50% of the day. Students in the Dual Immersion program receives 100% of the grade level core curriculum. One of the major differences in this type of specialized program is how the curriculum is delivered. In the Walnut Valley district, 50% of the curriculum is delivered in English and 50% is delivered in Mandarin.
How are students selected for enrollment?
The district has established priorities for enrollment, in compliance with the California Education Code and Walnut Valley Unified School District board policies. The following priorities are dependent upon space availability into the program:
1.Siblings of current Dual Immersion students are given priority placement.
2.Walnut Valley residents who speak the target language, Mandarin, as determined by the
Home Language Survey and/or Walnut Valley residents who speak English, as determined by the Home Language
Survey.
3. Mandarin-speaking students who are non-residents with an approved interdistrict/DOC
permit and/or English-speaking students who are non-residents with an approved interdistrict/DOC permit.
Available spaces are filled according to the above priorities. In addition, parents who are new to the program must attend a mandatory informational meeting before acceptance into the program. In the event that requests for enrollment exceed available space, personnel at the site will conduct a lottery. Based upon the lottery, a prioritized list is established. Students are assigned to classes, according to the order of the list, until all spaces are filled. The remaining students are placed on a waiting list until Labor Day.
There is no entrance requirements other than an assessment of students’ language proficiency for grades beyond Kindergarten. Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are considered on a case by case basis following a review of the program guidelines and a recommendation by the IEP team.
Is there a cost to the program?
The Dual Immersion program is part of a public school district. Therefore, there is no cost to the public.
When will I hear about the status of my application?
Typically, the district will begin contacting parents about the status of the DLI application in early March and April. Please note that the application for the DLI program is different than the registration for school. School registration begins at the end of January. If you are a Walnut Valley Unified School District resident, please complete the registration packet for your home school. You can verify your home school by visiting the district website (www.wvusd.k12.ca.us) and selecting the Parent tab and School Locator.
Research have shown that young children have the capacity to learn multiple languages and have demonstrated stronger cognitive abilities. According to a study by Peal and Lambert, “bilinguals have greater mental flexibility, greater abstract thinking, greater
lexical independence, superior concept formulation and higher verbal IQ than
monolinguals.”
Why is it better for a child to learn language at the elementary level?
Children tend to develop a more native-like pronounciation when language learning begins before adolescence.
Will students in the immersion classroom learn the same things in the general education classroom?
The Dual immersion program base the curriculum on the California State Standards. In addition to the California State Standards, this program integrates the California World Language Standards and the ACTFL Standards.
Are students exposed to only 50% of the curriculum?
A common misconception about the Dual Immersion program is that student receives only 50% of the curriculum because English is taught for 50% of the day. Students in the Dual Immersion program receives 100% of the grade level core curriculum. One of the major differences in this type of specialized program is how the curriculum is delivered. In the Walnut Valley district, 50% of the curriculum is delivered in English and 50% is delivered in Mandarin.
How are students selected for enrollment?
The district has established priorities for enrollment, in compliance with the California Education Code and Walnut Valley Unified School District board policies. The following priorities are dependent upon space availability into the program:
1.Siblings of current Dual Immersion students are given priority placement.
2.Walnut Valley residents who speak the target language, Mandarin, as determined by the
Home Language Survey and/or Walnut Valley residents who speak English, as determined by the Home Language
Survey.
3. Mandarin-speaking students who are non-residents with an approved interdistrict/DOC
permit and/or English-speaking students who are non-residents with an approved interdistrict/DOC permit.
Available spaces are filled according to the above priorities. In addition, parents who are new to the program must attend a mandatory informational meeting before acceptance into the program. In the event that requests for enrollment exceed available space, personnel at the site will conduct a lottery. Based upon the lottery, a prioritized list is established. Students are assigned to classes, according to the order of the list, until all spaces are filled. The remaining students are placed on a waiting list until Labor Day.
There is no entrance requirements other than an assessment of students’ language proficiency for grades beyond Kindergarten. Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are considered on a case by case basis following a review of the program guidelines and a recommendation by the IEP team.
Is there a cost to the program?
The Dual Immersion program is part of a public school district. Therefore, there is no cost to the public.
When will I hear about the status of my application?
Typically, the district will begin contacting parents about the status of the DLI application in early March and April. Please note that the application for the DLI program is different than the registration for school. School registration begins at the end of January. If you are a Walnut Valley Unified School District resident, please complete the registration packet for your home school. You can verify your home school by visiting the district website (www.wvusd.k12.ca.us) and selecting the Parent tab and School Locator.