This fall, a group of FTCSC educators traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to attend La Cosecha, one of the largest Dual Language education conferences in the country. While the conference itself was an important professional learning opportunity, the bigger story is what it represents: FTCSC’s continued commitment to building a strong, intentional Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program for students and families.
The DLI program, currently housed at Thompson Crossing Elementary, began when the current 3rd Grade Cohort was in Kindergarten and now includes students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade, marking the first time the full primary cohort has been in place. The program follows a two-way, 50/50 model, meaning students spend half of their instructional day learning in English and half in Spanish. Classrooms are intentionally balanced with heritage English speakers and heritage Spanish speakers, allowing students to learn language while also learning from one another.
“The goal of the Dual Language Immersion program in FTCSC is biliteracy,” said Amy Hacker, Director of Special Programs for FTCSC. “It’s not just that students can speak Spanish or speak English. We want them to be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in both languages.”
Unlike traditional language classes, DLI students are not simply translating lessons from one language to another. Instruction is built around helping students deeply understand concepts in one language and then intentionally bridge that understanding to the other language.
“You are learning content through the language,” said Craig Buckler, Principal at Thompson Crossing. “That’s what makes this different.”
Supporting that work requires careful planning and ongoing collaboration. Teachers use paired English and Spanish curriculum resources and work closely with their partner teachers to plan instruction. Throughout the year, teachers and administrators meet regularly to observe classrooms, review curriculum maps, and reflect on how the program is developing.
The La Cosecha Conference was another step in that ongoing learning process. The conference brought together educators from across the country, many from districts where Dual Language programs have existed for decades.
As part of the experience, FTCSC teachers visited Dolores Gonzalez Elementary School in Albuquerque, a school that has operated as a Dual Language program for nearly 50 years. Teachers observed classrooms during a regular school day, toured the building with student guides, and participated in conversations with teachers, administrators, parents, and students.
“Even just being in the classrooms and seeing what teachers choose to highlight on their walls teaches you a lot,” said Alyssa Beasley, a DLI teacher and parent of a DLI student. “It really reinforces how intentional this work has to be.”
That learning is already shaping practice back home. Teachers have been meeting in Professional Learning Communities to strengthen vocabulary instruction, refine bridging routines, and plan more intentionally for language development alongside academic standards.
For families, the appeal of Dual Language Immersion goes beyond learning a second language.
“For us, cultural acceptance was a huge piece,” Beasley said. “Our child is learning alongside students from different backgrounds, and that experience is incredibly valuable.”
Interest in the program continues to grow, with increasing attendance at information nights and waiting lists forming in recent years.
“The program really speaks for itself,” Hacker said. “Families see what’s happening and want to be part of it.”
Next year, the first cohort of DLI students will transition to Edgewood Intermediate School, continuing the program’s planned expansion. The long-term goal is for students to earn the Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency, recognizing their ability to read, write, and communicate in more than one language.
This is not a program FTCSC is offering just to check a box. It continues to grow through careful planning, ongoing learning, and a clear focus on what’s best for students.
Interested in the Dual Language Immersion program?
Because of the program’s bilingual instructional model, cohorts are formed beginning in Kindergarten. In some cases, students may still be admitted in 1st grade, depending on availability. When families complete kindergarten registration, they can indicate interest in the Dual Language Immersion program. While preference is given to students attending Thompson Crossing Elementary, the program includes students from all FTCSC elementary schools. Learn More - HERE.
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