First graders at one metro school aren't just learning to read and write. They're learning to do it in a foreign language.
Language immersion programs are growing in popularity across the country as teachers train the next generation to compete in a global society. One metro program is wrapping up its second year of an immersion program that teaches kids in Spanish from the moment they start school.
Teacher Miss Aguilar says, "This is the first grade class. They started last year, and they didn't know any Spanish at all."
Now, she says her class at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in Des Moines can perform The Three Little Pigs in Spanish, read books in Spanish, and even help older siblings with their Spanish homework. Vinnie Bertagnolli says, "My sister is 15 and I help her."
Principal Dr. Joe Cordaro says, "The plan is to bring students into the program that are not Spanish speaking. And, when they arrive in Kindergarten, and now first grade as well, they are taught in only Spanish for 90% of the day."
Dr. Cordaro says grant money and donations pay for the program. Spanish Immersion students also pay an extra $100 in tuition a year.
Pella Christian School will offer a Spanish Immersion program next school year for pre-school, Kindergarten and 1st grade.