Duval schools offer a Dual Language program

Did you know that at some of our Duval County Schools offer an amazing Dual Language Program for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade?

The Dual Language Program in Duval County Public Schools is a bilingual project in which students acquire a second language without losing their native one. Students learn a second language through immersion, staying at the academic level that corresponds to it. In elementary school, students spend 50 percent of their day receiving instruction in Spanish and 50 percent in English. This model is very important, as it allows students to develop proficiency in their native language and at the same time, they learn English. The program integrates the teaching of both languages in their daily classes.

In high school, students continue to receive Language Arts instruction in Spanish during the 4 years, while taking their Math, Science, and Social Studies classes in both languages. This opportunity that opens the doors to bilingualism, prepares them to become members of a more successful culturally diverse world in a global economy. All students participating in the Dual Language Program graduate from middle school with high school credits from the World Language program. In addition to this, they also have the opportunity to receive three more high school credits in the subjects of: Algebra, Geometry, and Biology.

The Dual Language Program turns out to be effective in developing proficiency in their mother language while learning English. Students maintain their native language while learning to communicate in English, allowing them to maintain their roots and pride in their culture while learning to communicate in an environment new to them.

-In the School District we recognize the efforts of these students and we are proud of them, of their extraordinary educators, of the excellent team responsible for maintaining their  interest and promoting their achievements, and of the families that support our program.

The Duval County Public Schools Dual Language Program is offered at three elementary schools, one middle school (MS), and one middle/high school (HS). Fifty-one highly qualified educators are essential in the orchestration of this educational alternative and have the support of their directors in each of the participating schools. Matt Walker at Beauclerc School, Jasmin Gómez at San José, Talya Taylor at West Riverside, Marilyn Barnwell at DuPont Middle School and Marleni Chirino at Englewood High School are the professionals who greatly support this excellent bilingual program in their schools by motivating the students who participate in this educational model.

Which are the benefits that students have by participating in the Dual Language Program?

• They are better prepared for a professional career in a world that is becoming more and more globalized and that requires more trained human capital and the knowledge of more than one language.

• Achieve high levels of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension of the English and Spanish languages.

• Perform well on standardized tests administered in English. They perform well, or better, than regular program students on standardized tests administered in English.
• They develop greater cognitive benefits that result in greater attention, memory, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Develop strong academic skills as well as a better understanding and appreciation of intercultural interaction, as they become active members of a global community.
• Maintain their mother language during learning and becoming proficient in a new language to communicate effectively and fluently with others.
• Ability to translate some information and communicate in another language. They can translate documents for parents or develop useful communication skills when visiting other countries.

* They can learn other languages more easily.

* They can develop leadership skills that help them excel in all areas.

For more information about the Dual Education Program, you may contact the Duval County Department of Education offices at: 904-390-2202 or by email at: cariasi1@duvalschools.org