Welcome to Lynden Christian Spanish Immersion!
Would you like your child to be bilingual and challenged academically? Lynden Christian’s Spanish Immersion program may be for you!
What is Immersion?
- A research-based, proven method of educating children by immersing them in a second or “target” language so they become fully bilingual.
- The classroom environment becomes the setting for language acquisition through core subject content instruction, educational discourse, and social interactions.
How does it work?
- Students begin their immersion experience in preschool, kindergarten, or first grade.
- Students are taught to read, write, and converse in Spanish by becoming immersed in the Spanish language throughout the school day. All core subject areas are taught in Spanish.
- Explicit teaching of English-only skills (that are not transferable), beginning in third grade, occurs through core subject areas such as social studies or science.
- LC’s Spanish Immersion is a Dual Language program. The program’s goal is for students to achieve proficiency and to demonstrate academic achievement in Spanish and English.
- Fifth and sixth grade students transition into a secondary continuing immersion experience that allows students to further their academic Spanish in core content areas while still giving students the middle school experience of scheduled classes with different teachers and intermixing with their English speaking peers. S.I. middle school students receive 50% of their instruction in Spanish and 50% in English and receive instruction in English Specific Skills to assure their English proficiency.
The Benefits of Spanish Immersion
Research reveals the following benefits to learning a second language:
- Has a positive effect on intellectual growth and enhances a child’s mental development.
- Produces students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
- Improves children’s understanding of their own native language.
- Enhances children’s ability to learn additional languages.
- Opens the door to other cultures and helps children understand and appreciate people from other countries.
- Increases job opportunities in all careers.
Parent Testimonies
“The Spanish Immersion Program at Lynden Christian has been amazing for our family. All three of our children are enrolled in the program and excelling. Any fears we had about them keeping up with their English reading, grammar, etc., have been entirely unfounded. It has been a joy to support them in the program and watch them learn and grow in incredible ways. Hearing them speak Spanish in our home and other contexts is so cool! Finally, the teachers in S.I. have impressed us from day one. From preschool now through seventh grade, each teacher loves our kids, loves what they do, and most importantly, loves Jesus. Thank you to the S.I. team. We appreciate you!!” – Kyle & Kari Gillette (2nd, 5th, & 7th grade parents)
“Our three kids, all with different strengths and struggles, have found their place in the Spanish Immersion Program at Lynden Christian. As they have integrated back into English-speaking classrooms in middle school, they have felt well-prepared and welcomed by their peers. There is no better time to learn a language than when you are young, and the gift of becoming bilingual will only open doors for them in the future.” – Paul & Amanda Haeder (3rd, 5th, & 7th grade parents)
Our Partnership
Lynden Christian partners with add.a.lingua to help design a research-based curriculum, provide experience in immersion education, and facilitate teacher training. Their expertise in working with other Christian schools throughout the country will give our program the support and training for a terrific foundation. More information about add.a.lingua can be found on their website.
Location
Lynden Christian School is located at 417 Lyncs Drive, Lynden, Washington.
Questions?
Please contact Jay Allen, LC Development Director, at 360-318-9525.
For additional information on Spanish Immersion see the attached file HERE.
