Frequently Asked Questions
- Immersion does not harm a child’s English. Instead, it enhances English growth.
- Immersion is highly beneficial to ELL students – children who are learning English.
- Immersion is a highly versatile tool that benefits students from multiple backgrounds – including gifted students and children from families of low socioeconomic status.
- Immersion has the power to help close the achievement gap that persists between minority and white students in the US.
- Previous Spanish instruction in or outside of school – through a FLES or after school program, a summer camp, a Saturday school or an immersion program elsewhere
- Hearing and speaking Spanish at home
- Previous experience living in a Spanish-speaking country
- Contact with Spanish speakers on a regular basis
- Over 20% of all Floridians speak Spanish.
- Since 2010, St. Pete’s population of citizens born in Latin America has increased by 40%.
- Clearwater’s Hispanic population is estimated at 20%.
- 25% of Tampa’s residents are Hispanic.
- The Latino population throughout Tampa Bay is expected to skyrocket by 27% over the next 15 – 20 years.
- Because social relationships and travel experiences are enhanced for bilingual people!
- Because becoming bilingual is a mind opening experience! Bilinguals have an added appreciation of other people, cultures, and perspectives.
- Because becoming bilingual adds to a person’s future academic opportunities and earning potential!
- Because becoming bilingual makes you smarter! Bilinguals hold many cognitive advantages over people who speak only one language.
- The arts improve school readiness for young children.
- The arts increase creativity, critical thinking skills, tolerance, and empathy.
- The arts aid in brain development and rewiring in positive ways and produce other biological benefits.
- The arts reduce behavioral infractions and improve attendance and graduation rates among high school students, especially those of low socioeconomic status.
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