Spanish / Chinese Immersion
The Lansing School District is a leader in the development and implementation of second-language immersion programs in the state of Michigan.
These programs are designed to promote global citizenship—defined as the ability to navigate seamlessly between multiple languages, cultures, and customs. They also aim to foster strong academic achievement by providing students with a rigorous, high-quality education in both languages.
Chinese Immersion
A Chinese immersion program was developed in 2006 at the preschool level through partnerships with the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Confucius Institute at MSU, and Foreign Language Acquisition Program (FLAP). This program is located in Post Oak Elementary School.
Spanish Immersion
A Spanish Immersion program serving students from Pre-K through 3rd grade was established at Averill Elementary School in 2007. In 2012, the program expanded to include grades 4–6 at Lewton Elementary. Beginning in the fall of 2017, the Spanish Immersion program was consolidated at Lewton Elementary.
Why Learn a Second Language?
- Enrich and enhance children's cognitive development.
- Leads to greater achievement in core content areas (reading, writing, social studies, science & mathematics) in both languages.
- Assist children with developing different learning styles, problem-solving abilities and reasoning skills.
- Improve children's understanding and fluency in the native language.
- Foster a sense of humanity and friendship across cultures.
- Increase children's ability to adapt to different environments.
- Increase children's ability to be more flexible in their thinking.
- Open the door to other cultures and increase sensitivity to and understanding of language, values, customs and traditions of others.
- Increase career and educational opportunities.
Adapted from: Language and Children: Making the Match (3rd ed.), Curtain, H. and Pesola, C. (2003)
