Research shows that non-English-speaking young children learn more quickly with immersion - News - inRich

Research shows that non-English-speaking young children learn more quickly with immersion - News - inRich: Chesterfield County school officials are planning changes for the county's limited-English-speaking students. Non-English-speaking students made up about 3.7 percent -- 2,125 students -- of the county's nearly 58,000 students last school year. That's more than triple the number in 2000. The current English as a second language program serves students in 18 elementary schools, five middle schools and two high schools. Students attend the ESL school closest to them. But starting with the 2008-09 school year, school officials are going to eliminate those school-based ESL centers and instead send ESL students to their 'home' schools. The plan still is being developed, but the idea is that limited-English students will be placed in more regular education classes, while continuing ESL learning based on their level of English. Students on levels 1 or 2 -- those with very limited English skills -- spend more time with ESL teachers than those on levels 3 and 4. But research shows that young children, such as pre-kindergartners and kindergartners, learn more quickly when immersed in regular education classes where they're learning sounds and symbols along with their English-speaking peers.