IMMERSION PARENTS’ MEETING NOTES AND HANDOUTS

Thanks to all the Ravensworth immersion parents who contributed to the discussion at the
October 17, 2013 meeting! Please contact Michelle Mueller at immersion@ravensworthpta.org
with any questions.

Parents of older immersion students said that while immersion may be tough at first, it gets
better and pays off. But it requires parental support and involvement, and sometimes patience.

The research on language immersion shows that it benefits kids’ cognitive skills in listening,
reasoning and mental flexibility. Early in immersion, in 1st and sometimes 2nd grade, kids won’t
understand everything coming at them. But it’s working to understand that is beneficial to
them, as long as they don’t get discouraged. Ironically, kids who have been precocious and
highly verbal may have the hardest time adjusting. They are used to easily understanding
everything all the time, so they may need reassurance.

If your child is stuck on a homework set, the teachers say they would rather have you leave it
blank and note that on the homework, so they know to work on it. See the attached resources
and suggestions for homework help.

Parents can support immersion students beyond the homework by working on Spanish or
Science and Math at home, or enrolling them in educational programs. Immersion teachers
support efforts by parents to help kids master these subjects. FOLLOWUP NOTE: GLOBAL
after-school Spanish coordinator Afifa Bolte says that while classes have started, immersion
students can still enroll. Contact her for information at afifabolte@hotmail.com

Kids who have had no behavioral issues sometimes have a few problems in immersion. As
parents who had themselves been in immersion situations pointed out at the meeting, when
your brain is worked really hard or you are overwhelmed, you are easily distracted. If you are
concerned, speak with the teacher. School Counselor Mr. Austin can observe your child in the
classroom if problems continue.

Lake Braddock Secondary School, where Ravensworth students go for middle & high school,
has 7th & 8th grade Spanish immersion classes, which help immersion students integrate and
formalize what they’ve learned. LB Spanish Immersion teacher Alicia del Barrio Escribano and
World Languages Chair Dana Ouart were enthusiastic about the big difference they see in
immersion students, because they have confidence and language skills that lead them to reach
fluency, pass AP exams and succeed. See the handout from them.
 LAKE BRADDOCK SECONDARY SCHOOL
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMEMT
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM
Dana Ouart, World Languages Department Chair
Alicia Del Barrio Escribano, Spanish Teacher

Courses offered at Lake Braddock:

• Spanish Immersion 1
• Spanish Immersion 2
! Immersion students are able to utilize their acquired language skills which
are prominent in their daily class activities- namely a wide range of
vocabulary and excellent listening comprehension.

SEQUENCE OF COURSES:
Middle School- Spanish Immersion 1- 7th grade
Spanish Immersion 2- 8th grade
High School- Spanish 3- 9th grade
Spanish 4- 10th grade
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) Spanish Language
ADVANCED PLACEMENT Spanish Literature

What we see from our perspective:

! Students with excellent vocabulary and comprehension skills
! Students who demonstrate confidence and enjoy language learning
! Students who are never afraid to speak in class
! Students who understand the commitment to learning they have made
! Students who have made the decision to continue the process to become
bilingual and who recognize the need to know more than one language in
today’s world

Honors and Awards:

• Students selected as representatives to the Governor’s SpanishLanguage
Academy
• Students selected for Senior Awards
• Students who stand out as role models in the world languages classroom
• Students see themselves with an enormous advantage because they have
acquired a useful skill and can compete for jobs and careers anywhere
• Students are recognized at graduation as AP Scholar candidates and
receive certificates of excellent in advanced academics from the College
Board
• Students make the choice to fulfilling requirements for a double major in
college
 • Students receive advanced placement credit for college courses which
means earning sophomore status upon entering college- a great financial
advantage to families!

CURRENTLY:
Our enrollment is down, so we are having to offer a combined Spanish
Immersion 1 and 2 class. This is not the ideal situation for anyone, although
it is workable with skilled teachers. The LBSS World Languages Department
has several combined classes at the upper level in all of our languages except
Spanish, where the classes are separated.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP: REASONS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS

TO BE PART OF A LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM
• Enroll your students in the elementary immersion program and encourage
them to stay in it throughout.
• Make language learning a priority in your family!
• Help your children understand how beneficial it is to be an educated
citizen of the world by speaking at least two languages
• NEW- many colleges are being asked by major corporations to graduate
bilingual students, so it pays off to stay in the program!
• An advantage for your children in the job market!
• Enjoy traveling with the confidence that you can communicate with
people of other world cultures- it’s a great feeling!
• At Lake Braddock, we LOVE to have immersion students in class- there
are many success stories of success!!