U-46 to host informational sessions on dual language program

Elgin Area School District U-46 will host informational meetings on its dual language program for families of incoming kindergartners and English-dominant first-graders starting next week through early April.

In the program, students are taught literacy and grade-level academic content in two languages. U-46 offers "one-way instruction" for native Spanish speaking students who qualify for English language learner, or ELL, services. English-dominant students can enroll in "two-way instruction" to learn Spanish and develop bilingual skills along with English learners.

U-46's program is structured on an "80:20" model in which the youngest students start out with 80 percent of their instruction in Spanish and 20 percent in English. The Spanish-language portion is reduced by 10 percent each year from kindergarten through third grade until instruction in both languages reaches parity and remains that way through sixth grade.

Dual-language students in seventh and eighth grades continue to develop academic and language skills of high rigor in both languages. The district expanded dual language into ninth grade this school year and the program will be rolled into 10th grade this fall. Officials plan to offer the dual-language program through 12th grade by the 2021-22 school year.

Parents can learn about the program, its application process, and research showing the benefits of bilingualism during the following sessions:

• Monday: 6 to 7 p.m., Otter Creek Elementary, 2701 Hopps Road, Elgin.

• Tuesday: 6 to 7 p.m., Bartlett Elementary, 111 E. North Ave., Bartlett.

• Tuesday: 6 to 7 p.m., Clinton Elementary, 770 Mill St., South Elgin.

• Tuesday: 5 to 6 p.m., Illinois Park Center for Early Learning, 1350 Wing St., Elgin.

• Wednesday: 6 to 7 p.m., Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

• Thursday: 6 to 7 p.m., Huff Elementary, 801 Hastings St., Elgin.

• March 11: 6 to 7 p.m., Lords Park Elementary, 323 Waverly Drive, Elgin.

• March 12: 6 to 7 p.m., Glenbrook Elementary, 315 Garden Circle, Streamwood.

• March 12: 6 to 7 p.m., Lincoln Elementary, 1650 Maureen Drive, Hoffman Estates.

• March 13: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Highland Elementary 190 N. Melrose Ave., Elgin.

• March 14: 6 to 7 p.m., Heritage Elementary, 507 Arnold Ave., Streamwood.

• March 14: 6 to 7 p.m., Hillcrest Elementary, 80 N. Airlite St., Elgin.

• March 14: 5 to 6 p.m., Independence Center for Early Learning, 200 Taylor Ave., Bartlett.

• March 19: 6 to 7 p.m., Channing Elementary, 63 S. Channing St., Elgin.

• April 4: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., South Elgin Branch Library, 127 McLean Blvd., South Elgin.

• April 10: 6 to 7 p.m., Timber Trails Elementary, 1675 McDonough Road, Hoffman Estates.

• April 10: 6 to 7 p.m., Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

• April 17: 6 to 7 p.m., U-46 Educational Services Center, 355 E. Chicago St., Elgin.

For more information, call the English Language Learners Department at (847) 888-5000, ext. 5331 or ext. 5332.