Dual Language & ESL Programs

The District 112 Dual Language Program was developed more than 25 years ago to serve the language learning needs of the multilingual and English learners in our community. Dual language education is a research-based academic approach to developing language proficiency and literacy in English and a partner language. In District 112, the program is a Spanish and English Dual Language Program. The District 112 Dual Language Program seeks to align to three pillars that serve as the goals of the program. Those pillars are bilingualism and biliteracy, rigorous instruction with high-academic achievement, and sociocultural competence. Dual Language classrooms are approximately half Spanish-speaking students and half English-speaking students. Students have a trained bilingual teacher. Content areas of instruction are taught in both languages providing cross-linguistic and bridging connections between both languages.

The Dual Language Program is offered in North Shore District 112 because it is the best academic structure to advance the educational opportunities of multilingual and English learners. The District has provided a Dual Language two-way program for more than 25 years. The reasons remain the same as they did when the program began. We want to afford our multilingual and English learners the best opportunity to succeed in a global society. Additionally, Dual Language offers all learners an incredible opportunity to become bilingual, bilterate, and experience the cultural enhancements that the program offers. Consistent with Board Policy 1:30, the mission of District 112, a community partnership committed to a world-class education, is to nurture every child to become an inspired learner, a well-rounded individual, and contributing member of a global community by striving for excellence within an environment that fosters innovation, respect, engagement, and intellectual inquiry.

Students who qualify for English Language (EL) services and whose home language is Spanish are automatically invited to participate in the program. Anyone who resides in the District 112 boundary may apply to join in kindergarten. Students with Spanish language proficiency (tested by D112 staff), or who attended a Dual Language program elsewhere may join the program in later grades if space is available.

Students who remain in the Dual Language program through high school are expected to be biliterate and bilingual by the end of 12th grade. Graduates will be eligible for the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy and will take two to three AP and dual-credit college courses while in high school. The language skills and cultural experience are afforded to enhance your child’s educational experience. Bilingualism offers advantages to brain development and opens worlds of social and professional opportunities. Finally, the study of language cultivates empathy, honors the strengths of others, builds a culture of community, and challenges the intellect of students in a unique way.

50% of instruction is in Spanish.

Students receive instruction in Spanish and English each day. Fifty percent of the academic day will be delivered in the Spanish language and 50 percent of the academic day will be delivered in the English language. That model remains the same for grades kindergarten through 5th grade. Reading and writing are taught to students in both English and Spanish. Depending on the grade level, math is taught with intentional planning to deliver instruction in grades K-5. Science and Social Studies content areas are integrated with language arts to provide context and authentic language learning experiences for Dual Language students.

Our Dual Language program uses the same curriculum and resources as the other elementary schools in the district and includes a partnered curriculum component in biliteracy. This biliteracy component is exclusive to our Dual Language elementary buildings. Our District’s curriculum guide is based on the Illinois state standards for literacy, math, science, and social studies. The students who participate in the Dual Language program receive the same content instruction as the other schools, the difference being that they receive an enhanced cultural education and at least 50% of their instruction in Spanish. The curriculum in the middle school has been tailored to complement the curriculum used in English Language Arts as well as meet content and world language standards along with themes students will need to be ready for in Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish later on at the high school level.

Studying at a Dual Language school meets the state requirements for students who qualify for ESL services. All teachers must be endorsed in bilingual education to provide appropriate scaffolds and support for our students acquiring English and Spanish. The difference in the ESL experience in the Dual Language is that it’s an additive model of instruction meaning it nurtures and expands an English learner’s native language while learning English. It also fosters acceptance and compassion in learning with peers who serve as language models for them as well as empowers English learners to do the same. Whereas in traditional ESL the goal is to only acquire English without any nourishment to their native language. Traditional ESL also consists of mainly pull-out services where students are removed from the general education classroom missing out on grade-level content to receive English language development services.

Teachers must be fluent in both languages and must possess a bilingual endorsement on their Professional Educator’s License to teach in a dual-language classroom.

The registration process is the same as the monolingual process. Upon filling out the online registration, you will be asked if you’re interested in Dual Language, which will lead to a series of questions to be considered for the program. Visit our registration and enrollment page for more information.

Any student in the district may apply to participate in the Dual Language program (enrollment is limited to entry in kindergarten for most learners).

The District 112 Early Childhood Program (located at Oak Terrace), Oak Terrace Elementary School, Red Oak Elementary School, and Northwood Middle School. Oak Terrace and Red Oak are Dual Language academies. The early childhood program and middle school offer dual language courses.

Dual Language students continue on at Northwood Middle School.

Your child can continue in the Dual Language Program through 8th grade. They will take dual language social studies and dual language Spanish among the seven other courses that all students take.

Yes, the Dual Language program continues at Highland Park High School. The students have the opportunity to earn the Highland Park High School Dual Language Seal as well as the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy. The Illinois Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by the state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. Both awards can be a powerful tool to earn college credit, apply for a scholarship or study abroad program, access greater employment opportunities and qualify for pay differentials. The Seal of Biliteracy requirements at an institution goes through an extensive process to be able to be given to students. The requirements of the Highland Park High School Dual Language Seal exceed those of the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy.

No, the ultimate goal of the program is to produce bilingual, biliterate, and multicultural students. It’s an additive program, which benefit all learners.

No, the Dual Language classes implement NSSD 112’s curriculum at the same rate as other classes. Through careful scaffolding and interactive approaches, children learn the academic content while developing their respective languages.

National studies have shown that children in Dual Language programs, as a group, perform as well or better than their respective peers on achievement tests in math, reading, and writing.

The Coordinator for ESL and Bilingual Programs, Enrique Castro, as well as our principals at Oak Terrace, Northwood, and Red Oak, are excellent contacts regarding the Dual Language Program. You may also speak with members of the District’s Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) if you’d like to hear a parent/guardian perspective.

• Coordinator for EL/Bilingual Programs: Enrique Castro, ecastro@nssd112.org
• Oak Terrace Principal: Dr. Lilli Melamed, lmelamed@nssd112.org
• Red Oak Principal: Chelsey Maxwell, cmaxwell@nssd112.org
• Early Childhood Director: Niki Scofield, nscofield@nssd112.org

Yes! If your child has not yet entered kindergarten they can still enter the program not having any exposure to the Spanish language. It is not uncommon for English-speaking children enrolled in Dual Language to have had little exposure to the Spanish language before the first day of school. That said, you are encouraged to expose your child to the Spanish language when, and as often as you deem appropriate.

No, there are at least two sections currently running at each grade level at each elementary school. The schools are vibrant social places to learn. Students are not destined to social isolation by choosing to study at a dual language academy (Red Oak Elementary or Oak Terrace Elementary).