Dual Language Program

A Dual Language Program is a bilingual educational program integrating English Language Learners and English-speaking students for instruction in and through two languages (English & Spanish). Dual Language Programs are also known as "two-way immersion", "two-way bilingual", "bilingual immersion" and" dual-language immersion".


2022 Dual Language Informational Night

Email Theresa Cussac at tcussac@nsd.org by:
Friday, March 4th, 5:00pm

Notification of Acceptance or Denial
Families will be notified by Friday, April 1st of their placement in the program or their placement on the waitlist by Friday, April 8th @ 5:00pm


Class Configuration Components:
Balanced Population - 1/2 "native" English speakers & 1/2 "native" Spanish speakers.
Balanced Instruction - Language, Literacy, and content area instruction is provided in both languages to all students.

The Benefits:
Educational Students are capable of achieving high levels of proficiency in a second language without detrimental effects to their primary language development.
Cognitive Bilingual students perform better on tasks that call for divergent thinking, pattern recognition and problem solving. Bilingual students also have advanced levels of linguistic awareness. They use strategies to figure out the relationships between what is happening and what is being said. Since most social interactions are by choice, the motivation to understand is so strong it encourages student learning.
Socio-Cultural By interacting with peers who are fluent in the target language, students are exposed to appropriate social conventions of language. Proficiency in two languages also permits individuals to expand their world.
Economic Bilingual students have enhanced employment opportunities.

Goals:
Attainment of challenging, age-appropriate academic skills and knowledge.
Advanced levels of functional proficiency in English and Spanish.
Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural differences.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Why start with such young students?
We are starting with Kindergarten and first grade because it has been shown that it takes 5 to 6 years to become fully proficient in two languages.

How are students chosen?
The Dual Language Program is a wait-listed program. Siblings and Woodin service area families have priority. Remaining available spaces will be filled by district area students. Call the office, 425.408.5400, to have your child placed on the appropriate wait list. Families residing outside the Woodin service area will be responsible for their own transportation.

Will English-speaking students be behind their peers in monolingual classrooms?
Studies have shown that in 4 to 5 years, students in dual language classrooms typically out perform their peers in monolingual classrooms.

Is the dual language curriculum the same as that taught in monolingual kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms?
The curriculum is exactly the same taught in all classrooms at all grade levels.

Will students have the second language skills they need to learn new academic material?
Yes! Teachers use specific strategies to ensure student understanding.

Contact Us 

Theresa Cussac
tcussac@nsd.org 

Dawn Bowers, Principal
dbowers@nsd.org

Woodin Elementary
12950 NE 195th Street
Bothell, WA 98011-2599
(425) 408-5400