Language Immersion Learning: Go Global!

Atlanta International School

Metro Atlanta boasts plenty of options – public and private – for dual language schools and specialized programs. Many parents, even those who do not speak another language, want to give the gift of language to their children and seek out these schools that can support their learning. Exposing children to language from an early age can be key to their abilities to master a second language. “The daily exposure from a very young age to the meaning and culture of languages begins to shape their student identities, as language learners,” said Helen Munõz, Early Learning Centre Principal at Atlanta International School, Atlanta’s first language school, which opened in 1985.

What is language immersion?

Immersion programs do more than teach a subject, they surround students with learning through authentic experiences. With language immersions, students hear, speak and learn language in  natural everyday contexts in their familiar surroundings.

Making the choice

In today’s globally connected world, it’s more important than ever for our children to be able to  communicate with and understand people from other countries. “Having our kids in a language immersion school is a goal we’ve had for a while,” said Ali Thompson of Smyrna. “I believe in it to break down barriers, understand others, be immersed in other cultures and be global citizens.” Thompson has worked in the travel industry and saw first-hand how important it is to be accepting and knowledgeable of the world around us.

Language immersion programs appeal to those looking for something different than a traditional school model. “My daughter was starting Kindergarten and GLOBE Academy was starting,” said Robyn Brandman. “We are big travelers, so global education is an important family value, and we prioritize it. Being a charter school in DeKalb County, we thought we’d try GLOBE out and 10 years later, we’re still happy with our decision.”

For the Shahab family of Buckhead, the academic benefits of language learning were the driving force behind choosing Atlanta International School (AIS). “I knew that the benefits of the language learning environment at AIS would directly affect my daughter’s future achievements,” said mom Mojy. After 15 years at AIS, the family knows their intuition was right. “I can see the results of the language immersion program, including excellent critical thinking, enhanced problem-solving skills, improved verbal communication in all languages, enhanced creative thinking and flexibility, better memory and enormous social benefits.”

The Quadrilingual Academy

Real results

“Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration and the ability to multitask,” said Christine Wimberly, a lead teacher at The Quadrilingual Academy, which immerses students in four languages all day every day. “Children who are proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility,” she said.

Thompson, whose daughters attend The Quad, as it is nicknamed, sees these benefits on a daily  basis. “My girls think creatively and engage with the world around them differently than my son who attends a traditional public school,” she said.

Language proficiency is obviously another goal of language immersion programs. “What is central to our language learning is students are also learning about that language – its meaning, nuance, constructs and purpose, and they learn about every other subject and topic through the language,” said Leonie Ley-Mitchell, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Coordinator at AIS. Wimberly notes that students’ skills in English are enhanced by their knowledge of other languages.

Seventeen-year-old Neiku Shahab speaks four languages – French, English, Farsi and Spanish. But, said her mother, her proficiency goes way beyond being fluent in languages. “She is proficient in the way she is equipped to approach life beyond high school. She has a special confidence in her approach to the world.”

Brandman said her daughter, now a freshman at Lakeside High School views her fluency in French as a sort of superpower. “We went to France for family trip when my daughter finished 5th grade, and she did all the ordering, making reservations, talking with people.” Her daughter also sees the real-world applications of how knowing a second language sets her apart. “She babysits and tutors kids from GLOBE who are in the French track, so she’s earning money using her language skills.”

Being immersed in a language also teaches students an appreciation for the country, culture and people the language belongs to. “My daughters are experiencing learning from a worldly perspective and are becoming true global citizens,” said Thompson.

Global citizenship can be felt each and every day at AIS where more than 90 nationalities and 60 languages are represented. “Language and diversity are all around,“ said Ley-Mitchell. “Whether in the classroom or in the friendships they make with other students from around the world. That is a unique setting in which to learn.”

Student appreciation

Shahab noted that her daughter loves being able to switch to another language in a crowd when the conversation needs to be private! Even young students feel special using their language skills. Thompson’s daughter has two years of language immersion under her belt and can communicate with people in light conversation in four languages. “She speaks Spanish with the servers at our local Mexican restaurant. She can watch shows in other languages and understands the plot. She can translate for us. It’s really cool!”

The Spanish Academy

Language Immersion Schools Around Atlanta

Being immersed in a second language helps children acquire knowledge more easily. At language immersion schools, students are spending the majority of their day learning, hearing and speaking a language other than their native tongue. Here are some schools in the metro area that offer language immersion learning.

Preschools:

• Atlanta Trilingual Academy – Children ages 12 months to kindergarten will learn English, Spanish and Chinese. Atlanta.
• Little Linguists International Preschool – An innovative language learning program designed to foster a love of Chinese language and culture. East Point and Decatur.
• The Language Garden – A nature-based English/Spanish preschool serving children ages 2-5 years. Atlanta.
• The Spanish Academy – A total immersion program for Spanish serving ages 12 months to  kindergarten. Buckhead, Marietta, Atlanta and Suwanee.

Private Schools:

• Atlanta International School – Full and partial immersion learning in Chinese, French, German and Spanish. Atlanta.
• Da Vinci International School – Offers French and Spanish immersion programs for ages 18 months to 5th grade. Buckhead.
• OMNI International School – A PK2-6th grade immersion program of the Japanese or Chinese language, with Spanish as a third language beginning in kindergarten. Atlanta.
• Tabula Rasa Language Academy – A bilingual Spanish/English elementary school program; Sandy Springs location also offers French. Sandy Springs, Lawrenceville and Johns Creek.
• The Quadrilingual Academy – Children instructed in Spanish, French, Chinese and English with the school planning to expand through 3rd grade. Smyrna.

Charter Schools:

• International Charter Academy of Georgia – Uses the Dual Language Model for Japanese and English instruction. Peachtree Corners.
• International Charter School of Atlanta – Students experience dual-language immersion education in French, German, Mandarin or Spanish. Roswell and Alpharetta.
• The GLOBE Academy – A dual language school serving kindergarten to 8th grade in Spanish, French or Mandarin. Atlanta.

-Tali Benjamin