1. Language Immersion in Urban Public Schools: Exploring the Benefits and Challenges
Thursday , December 3, 2014 MLK Library Marty Abbott ACTFL, Executive Director

2. Connecting Research to Practice
Click on one of the links to access a list of topics related to these 3 major areas

3. Connecting Research to Practice
Click on one of the topics to access an annotated reference list that includes highlights of published articles and/or the results of various studies

4. Connecting Research to Practice
Sample of Annotated Reference:
Results show that performance in reading comprehension, language mechanics, and language expression was significantly higher with students who studied a world language!

5. Effect on Cognitive Development
Cognitive flexibility
Inductive reasoning
Evidence of cross-linguistic transfer
Improved metalinguisitic awareness
Better attention control
Increase capacity for divergent thinking, innovation and creativity
Protects, in older adults, from decline in cognitive processes

6. Impact on Academic Achievement
Increased achievement in mathematics
Increased achievement in English Language Arts
Better memory performance
SAT verbal performance
2013 ACTFL Research Plenary

7. Effect on Closing the Achievement Gap
North Carolina Study
Results from Study; 2nd year of 5- year longitudinal study
7 school districts with Dual Language Immersion programs; 11 Spanish, 1 Mandarin
2013 ACTFL Research Plenary

13. Effect on Social & Emotional Welfare
Contribute to overall motivation and self-esteem in learning
Develop positive view of target language speakers and their cultures
Heightened perception of the world
Good predictor of achievement in learning a 3rd language

14. Common questions? What if my child has learning difficulties?
Will my child confuse the languages?
What are the downsides?