Foreign languages may become elementary in District 203

In less than three years, all elementary school students in Naperville Unit District 203 likely will be taking foreign language classes.

District officials unveiled the latest version of its elementary foreign language plan to the school board Monday that includes both dual language programs and traditional foreign language classes.

Superintendent Alan Leis said looking at future trends led the district to embrace the importance of cultural literacy.

"It's a passion of mine that our students, for the world in which they will live, will need to be biliterate and bicultural," Leis said. "They need to be fluent in a foreign language."

To achieve this bilingualism, the district plans to start a Spanish dual language magnet program in the 2008-09 school year at one to three sites -- Maplebrook, Prairie and/or Scott. It is also looking at Mill and Beebe for site-based programs that would start that year or the following year.

The dual language program would include both native English speakers and native Spanish speakers. Starting in either kindergarten or first grade, they would spend 80 percent of the day learning in Spanish and 20 percent in English.

These students would stay together each year and the percentage of English spoken in class would increase until half of the day is in each language. These students would still take literacy in their native language.

In 2009-10 the district would add a Chinese dual language magnet program, possibly at Ranch View. It may add additional site-based and magnet Spanish programs.

The rest of the district's elementary school students would be added into the mix in 2010-11 with 90 minutes of Spanish instruction each week for all kindergartners through fifth-graders.

"There was a strong feeling from the board if it's important, we need to provide it to every single students in elementary school," Leis said.

The dual immersion programs in total would cost about $300,000 to $350,000 annually while the foreign language classes would cost about $1.8 million.

The district had an elementary foreign language program from 1997 to 2002 but students at that time only took 20-minute classes. The program was cut due to budget constraints.

Jodi Wirt, associate superintendent for instruction, said 90 minutes per week would be more effective. The district is talking to the teachers union about lengthening the school day to accommodate the program without taking time away from other subjects.

The district will hold informational meetings for parents in February and March. In late March, it will hold a lottery to select the students that will participate in the dual language programs.

The board likely will not take a formal vote on the program but instead would give approval when voting on the district's budget and teacher contracts. But thus far, board members have shown their support.

"This is the way we have to move forward," board President Suzyn Price said. "The world is much bigger than it was when we were in school, or even 20 year ago, and this is critical and one of the things you add on to meet 21st-century needs."