Spanish Dual Language Program

The program is designed to support students regardless of their native language, whether it is English, Spanish, or any other language. Instruction is given in English and Spanish and supports students as they develop both.

We review assessment data in English and Spanish and gather feedback to develop and improve the program. We conduct program reviews at regular intervals using the Center for Applied Linguistics’ Principles of Dual Language.

In our district, we have more than 80 languages spoken at home. We value the multilingualism of our families and recognize a student’s home language as an asset to learning.

We encourage families to speak and read with their children in their home language first. When students learn to speak and read in their family’s language, they learn in English more readily.

Robbinsdale teachers honor students’ languages, culture and identity. To do this, teachers may ask students to use their languages to complete assignments, provide books in multiple languages and much more. 

The purpose of homework is to provide students extra practice with a concept or skill they have already learned in class. Students should be able to do this practice independently, regardless of the language. You can ask your student to explain the homework and describe what they are doing in your family’s home language.

Students develop languages at different rates. Usually their listening abilities develop before their speaking abilities. Your student may be reading and writing in Spanish but is not comfortable speaking outside of the classroom. Talking to your student's teacher will help you understand whether or not their Spanish language development is on-track, and what you can do to encourage them to speak more Spanish.

Yes! While young scholars may be speaking fluently in two languages, they have not yet developed the reading and writing skills they need to be academically successful in both languages. The goal of our Dual Language Immersion programs is to support Spanish and English development through 12th Grade so they will be highly proficient in both languages and can use them in college, careers and beyond.

Studies show that, overall, both English language learners and native English speakers made significant progress in both languages.  Both groups scored at or well above grade level in both languages by middle school; and both groups performed at comparable or superior levels compared to same-language peers in other educational settings. On norm-referenced standardized tests of reading and math achievement in English, native English speakers outscored their English-only peers in English-only classrooms. English language learners who had learned English in a dual language immersion program scored significantly higher than their English language learning peers who had studies in other kinds of programs and also performed on a par with native English speaking students in English-only classrooms.