Two-Way Dual Language Program

What is a Two-Way Dual Language program?
Two-way Dual Language is an enrichment program where Spanish speaking students and English speaking students are taught through two languages a quality academic curriculum. Starting in Kindergarten.

Click here to sign up for the Two-Way Dual Language Program

What are the goals of the Two-Way Dual Language Program?
The Edgewood Two Way Dual Language Program has 3 goals for students who are enrolled in the program:

  1. To perform at or above grade level in all core content areas
  2. To develop and maintain communicative and academic skills in both English and Spanish
  3. To become highly proficient bilingual and biliterate individuals.

How many schools in EISD offer the Two-Way Dual Language Program?
The program is offered at the following elementary campuses: Cisneros, Henry B. Gonzalez Las Palmas, Loma Park and Winston. The program also offered at Wrenn and Gus Garcia Middle School.

What if my child does not attend any of the schools that offer the Two-Way Dual Language Program?
At the elementary level, parents have a choice among the five elementary campuses that offer the program. Transfer paperwork must be requested and completed through your child's home campus after your child is accepted into the program.

In middle school, students are only accepted if they have been participating in a Two-Way Dual Language Program with the exception of recent immigrants.

How much instruction will my child receive in Spanish?
Students will receive instruction in both Spanish and English. Edgewood ISD follows a 90/10 model for their Dual Language Programs in Elementary. In the 90/10 model students receive the majority of their instruction in Spanish and gradually more English instruction is introduced. At the middle school, students receive instruction in Spanish for a minimum of two classes.

Are all students required to enter Kindergarten or can they be admitted later?
All Native English speaking students must enter the Two Way Dual Language Program at Kindergarten. Only students that can demonstrate grade-level content language proficiency in Spanish or have been instructed formally in Spanish in the prior grades enter throughout the program.

How are students selected for the programs?
It is the parent's choice to place their child in the Two Way Dual Language program. However, parents must attend one information session in the spring for their child to be eligible for the program. Parent information sessions will be publicized in early spring. In addition, parents who wish to enroll their child in the Two Way Dual Language Program must commit to keeping their child in the program throughout the elementary grades. Two-way Dual Language students may continue the program at Wrenn and Gus Garcia Middle Schools.

How does a school prepare for this program?
The administrators, faculty, and staff must support and learn about the program. The teachers that will implement the program must be trained. The community at large must be informed and educated about the program.

How big are two-way classes? Do they get special resources?
The class sizes are up to 22 students in grades PreK-4th grade. Most schools do not need a lot of additional resources to run this program. Federal, state, and local funding for Spanish textbooks and resources are provided to schools for the program.

How can parents help?

  • Encourage your child by telling him/her how proud you are that he/she is learning a second language.
  • Do not feel discouraged if, in the beginning, your child cries or seems nervous about this new experience. Some students may experience some stress initially as this can be an overwhelming, albeit exciting program.
  • Parents need to be supportive and understanding of both their child and the teacher during the initial stages. Your child will need some time to adjust to this new challenge. However, if this anxiety continues beyond the first two months, please discuss it with the teacher. By the beginning of October, every child should be over the initial adjustment and be looking forward to going to school.
  • Do not expect your child to start speaking the second language after the first few days, and do not try to force him or her to do so. Your child will start to use the second language on his or her own individual pace.
  • Keep informed about dual language education by attending parent meetings.
  • Encourage but do not force your child to speak the second language at home.
  • Do not attempt to correct your child if you are uncertain of the correct expression or Pronunciation.
  • Do not ask your child to translate. This requires skills not focused on in the dual language program.
  • Teach your child the songs and nursery rhymes that are part of his or her own heritage.
  • Read with your child in their primary language on a daily basis.

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