Exposing developing minds to new languages and new perspectives
At La Casa Montessori, the entire program is taught as a full Spanish immersion experience, giving children the opportunity to absorb a new language and new cultures.
“La Casa is a lovely Montessori school with a strong Spanish curriculum for children of all ages. Our child loves being part of this community—we hear him talking daily about his interactions with his friends and all of their celebrations.”
Learning languages as a youngster has huge benefits
Children are wired for learning languages. They’re doing it all the time in their native language, and they can pick up a new language with ease!
The U.S. Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) explains why immersion is the optimal method for learning a second language:
"In traditional second language instruction, the target language is the subject of instruction. Immersion programs use the target language for instruction and as a means of communication. This authentic communication allows students to learn a second language in a similar manner to the way that they have learned their first."
Immersion learners show improved abilities in many areas, such as:
Reading skills
Math skills
Problem-solving
Flexible thinking
Creativity
They also show an appreciation for cultural diversity, which can open many doors of opportunity in the future. Down the road, these students will be able to interact more fully in an increasingly interdependent world community.
Heritage learners who speak Spanish at home will benefit from the introduction of reading and writing practice as their language skills develop.
Language immersion should be natural
In our classrooms, children speak the language they feel comfortable speaking. Meanwhile, teachers use Spanish as their primary target language while also using body language, context, gestures, intonation, and visual aids to assist with comprehension.
Does language immersion confuse children or slow down their progress?
It does not! Children learn and adapt quickly. If your child is new to Spanish, they will quickly begin to speak and understand it.
If your child doesn’t understand instructions, their teacher will repeat them in English and then say them again in Spanish for reinforcement. Parents are typically amazed by how quickly their child begins to understand basic directions and information in their new language!