English Immersion

English immersion, an approach to teaching English by providing instruction solely through English, holds considerable appeal in the American imagination. Surely, the best way to learn a language is to immerse oneself in it, many believe, and the more deeply and thoroughly the immersion, the more quickly the language will be learned.

Immersion Programs for English-Speaking Children

Language immersion programs for English-speaking children, in which students learn a new language as they study academic subject matter through the new language and through English, have been established as highly effective.

After 6 years in such a program, English-speaking children can be expected to perform at or above grade level in their academic work and can typically read, write, and speak a foreign language.

 In the French programs in Quebec that are often cited, children receive 90% to 100% of immersion language instruction the first year, which then decreases yearly while instruction through English increases, until the proportion reaches 50/50 by fifth or sixth grade. Parents are cautioned that they must expect their children to remain in these programs for a minimum of 6 years, because learning a new language takes many years.

Despite the lengthy time commitment, immersion programs appeal strongly to English-speaking parents who are eager for their children to attain fluency and literacy in another language as an educational enrichment.

  Source: SAGE REFERENCE ONLINE