Using Foreign Language as a Bridge to Learning in the Classroom

TL;DR

Enrichment Elementary School in Portland, Oregon offers an immersive Japanese language program, where students study core subjects in Japanese for part of the day, leading to numerous cognitive and academic benefits.

Transcript

[ Bell ringing ] >>Student: [Speaking Japanese]. >>Narrator: The sights and sounds of Japan are part of the fabric of Portland, Oregon, a city with a world class Japanese garden, and a unique public school language program. >>Narrator: Here, Students are immersed in Japanese from their first day of kindergarten. >>Students: [Greeting in Japanese] >... Read More

Key Insights

• 💪 Immersion education promotes stronger cognitive abilities and a broader understanding of different perspectives.
• 👹 Students in the Japanese immersion program perform better academically on standardized tests.
• 🥋 The program provides additional resources such as martial arts and calligraphy classes to enhance language learning.
• 👹 Computers and technology play a role in helping students write in Japanese and develop literacy skills.
• 🧑‍🎓 Cultural exchange programs foster cultural understanding and friendship between students from Portland and Japan.
• 🤨 The program is supported by an active group of parents who raise funds for program needs and recognize the long-term benefits.
• 🧑‍🎓 Early exposure to different languages and cultures builds tolerance and prepares students for a globalized world.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the immersion program benefit students' cognitive abilities?

According to Michael Bacon, a teacher in the program, students in the immersion program show higher performance in cognitive assessments and have the ability to see things from multiple perspectives. Research also supports the idea that immersion programs enhance cognitive abilities.

Q: Do students in the program perform better academically?

Yes, students in the program show higher academic performance on standardized tests compared to their peers. They also exhibit an increased ability to learn additional languages, which is supported by research findings.

Q: What additional activities and resources are provided to enhance language learning?

Enrichment Elementary School offers after-school classes in martial arts like karate and kendo, as well as calligraphy, which helps children with different learning styles. Computers are also utilized to facilitate writing in Japanese through specially designed programs.

Q: What are the benefits of participating in cultural exchange programs with Japan?

Cultural exchange programs allow Japanese students to visit Enrichment Elementary School and make presentations in English while staying with host families. In return, Portland fifth graders get to visit Japan, expanding their cultural awareness and forging connections with students from a different country.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Enrichment Elementary School in Portland, Oregon offers a Japanese immersion program where students are surrounded by the language from kindergarten onwards.

• Students use Japanese in all aspects of their school day, including routine activities, problem-solving, and communication with peers.

• The program extends to middle and high school, where Japanese is offered as an advanced language class.