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Choosing the right educational path for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make.

Why might you consider sending your child to a Spanish Immersion school? Beyond language acquisition, immersion programming comes with a variety of other benefits. Here are eight reasons to consider Spanish Immersion learning for your child. 

1. Learning more than one language – and Spanish specifically – brings long-term benefits

In today’s interconnected world, being bilingual is more than just a nice skill to have - it’s a differentiator. Spanish, in particular, has become an influential language due to the growing number of Spanish speakers globally. With growth comes increased opportunities, personally and professionally, to those who speak the language.

Among the various methods of learning a second language, immersion programs stand out as one of the most effective ways to learn a new language. Spring Lake Park Schools Spanish Immersion program is more than a dozen years old with a proven record of bilingual and biliterate graduates.

2. Language immersion programs provide an academic advantage

One of the most significant advantages of Spanish Immersion programming is that it provides a robust academic foundation that goes beyond language acquisition. Learning in two languages boosts cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking. Studies show that bilingual students often outperform their monolingual peers in core academic subjects like math, reading, and science by 8^th grade.*

Spring Lake Park Schools’ Spanish Immersion program is focused on creating bilingual and biliterate high school graduates proficient in Spanish and English. Programming spans the entire preK-grade 12 experience. Students begin their journey in preschool or kindergarten at Woodcrest Spanish Immersion Elementary. They continue through grades 5-8 at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School, and graduate from Spring Lake Park High School.

Elementary students learn to understand, speak, read, and write in Spanish, increasing fluency levels each year. During intermediate and middle school, students become proficient in writing, reading and speaking in Spanish. High school students can earn college credit in Spanish, earn bilingual seals and certificates and pursue Spanish-speaking internships.

3. Preschool and Kindergarten immersion learning sets students up well to master a second language

Young children have a great capacity for second language comprehension. Think of a child’s brain like a sponge. Young brains can naturally absorb sounds, structures and nuances of a foreign language in ways that adults often find challenging. By enrolling children in Spanish immersion programs at an early age, parents give their children a jump start in mastering a second language.

Children in Spanish Immersion Preschool become comfortable hearing Spanish spoken and begin to understand phrases and directions in Spanish. At Woodcrest Spanish Immersion Elementary students in kindergarten through grade 4 spend most of their school day immersed in Spanish. Intense exposure to a foreign language at these grade levels provides necessary language skills for students to access more advanced curriculum.

As they grow older, children who started their learning early have an easier time picking up additional languages or mastering more complex aspects of Spanish. An early start lays the foundation for lifelong bilingualism that can set immersion learners apart from peers who may start learning a second language later in life.

Beginning to learn a second language through world language courses in middle and high school is also an option for students in Spring Lake Park Schools. This approach also provides a solid path toward mastering a second – or even third language.

4. Students can earn college credits while still in high school

One of the most practical benefits of Spanish immersion programs is the opportunity for students to earn college credits in Spanish while still in high school. This also makes earning a college major or minor later much easier (and less expensive).

Students in Spring Lake Park Schools Spanish Immersion and Juntos programming enter Spring Lake Park High School with a series of rigorous and engaging courses instructed in the target language of Spanish. Unique to our immersion programming journey, high school courses provide an opportunity to meet and extend student's language acquisition.

Through our partnership with Minnesota State University - Mankato, students have an opportunity to earn college credits as early as 9th grade in college-level Spanish classes at the high school. There were 114 students in the latest graduating class, who took Spanish 3 or higher and earned the opportunity for college credits in Spanish. This can reduce the number of courses they need to take in college, ultimately saving both time and money on tuition.

5. Students can earn a Bilingual Seal – signaling bilingualism to colleges and employers

Through Spanish immersion programs, student can gain the skills they need to earn a Bilingual Seal in high school. To earn the seal, students must demonstrate high levels of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding both English and another language.

Beginning in 10^th grade, students have an opportunity to earn a bilingual seal or certificate. The Bilingual Seal recognition comes from the state of Minnesota and recognizes their proficiency in Spanish. Having the seal may result in college-level credits at specific Minnesota colleges and universities.

In the latest graduating class at Spring Lake Park High School, 68 students earned a Spanish bilingual seal or certification.

Regardless of college choice, the seal helps students stand out in college applications, scholarships, and job opportunities. To future employers and institutions, the seal signals that this person has a unique and valuable skill set.

6. Students build strong cultural awareness and social connections

One of the most enriching aspects of Spanish immersion programs is the social and cultural awareness students gain. Language is deeply tied to culture. There are more than 20 Spanish-speaking countries in the world, each with their own traditions and lifestyles. Spanish opens the doors to understanding these cultures and building connections and relationships.

From day one, students in Spring Lake Park Schools’ immersion program learn to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people in English and Spanish. Each level of programming offers students a chance to make meaningful social connections with classmates and teachers from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.  

At Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, elementary students experience a wide variety of world views as they are immersed in a school culture that includes international teachers and support staff. All classroom teachers are bilingual, and some are multilingual. International teachers are all first language speakers of Spanish and offer language modeling through their multiple interactions with students during the school day and during extracurricular events.

At the middle level, students in the Spanish Immersion program come together with heritage Spanish speakers in what we call Juntos. They gain a deeper understanding of modern and historical cultural influences from Spanish-speaking countries. By high school, students deeply understand traditions, histories, and perspectives globally, expanding their worldview.

7. Bilingualism brings increased job opportunities

One of the most lucrative long-term benefits of becoming bilingual in Spanish is the potential increase in job opportunities. Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 500 million speakers globally. Many industries, including healthcare, education, business, government, and international relations, actively seeking bilingual professionals who can communicate with Spanish-speaking clients or communities.

By the time our Spanish immersion students enter the workforce, they will have an advantage over monolingual candidates. Their ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish will open doors for them to succeed in a world where bilingualism is increasingly in demand.

8. Immersion is for everyone

A common misconception about immersion programs is that they are only suited for students whose heritage language is English. At Spring Lake Park Schools, immersion is for everyone – regardless of heritage language. 

Our programs are designed to support all learners, including those with varying language backgrounds or learning needs.

Ready to learn more? 

Spanish immersion programming can unlock doors to new possibilities and ensure students are well-prepared to thrive in a diverse, multilingual world. It is also important that it be a right fit for your student or family. Learn more about Spanish Immersion at Spring Lake Park Schools and come visit. 

*Source: Lindholm-Leary, K. J., & Genesee, F. (2014). Student outcomes in one-way, two-way, and indigenous language immersion education. Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, 2(2), 165–180.