What is Dual Language?

District 50’s elementary model is a two-teacher, two-way, 50/50 model. Dual Language programs provides an additive language model in which students can maintain their native language while acquiring a second one. The district pairs an English-speaking and a Spanish-speaking teacher to provide balanced, bilingual instruction. Each dual language classroom has monolingual-English speakers, bilingual speakers, and monolingual-Spanish speakers, with half the instructional time in English and the other in Spanish. Different disciplines are integrated, and cross-curricular instruction is achieved through a two-teacher partnership, with students bridging and transferring knowledge in the other language. The two-teacher model creates authentic learning experiences in which the partnered teachers integrate content and language in every moment in both classrooms while using the same grade level standards and rigor as their peers. 

Much like the integrated approach at the elementary level, we continue to support all students on their language acquisition journey with our bridging program from junior high to high school. As bilingual and dual language students matriculate, students will have the opportunity to continue their language acquisition in dual language science, social studies, ESL classes, bilingual math, bilingual science, bilingual civics, and resource classes. Furthermore, bilingual support for ACT Prep, ESL Summer Extension, and bilingual social emotion prevention and intervention has been added to our services.

What are the goals of Dual Language programming?

Harvard CUSD 50’s Dual Language Program mission is, “To inspire and empower students to become bilingual, biliterate citizens and lifelong learners in our global society”. We are able to fulfill our mission by implementing the nationally recognized constructs of dual language programming throughout our District. The Three Pillars of Dual Language are Bilingualism and Biliteracy, Grade-Level Academic Achievement, and Sociocultural Competence. Students and families alike benefit in a myriad of ways by enrolling in dual language at Harvard CUSD 50:

Harvard CUSD 50’s Dual Language Personnel

Harvard CUSD 50 prides itself on recruiting, developing, and retaining highly- qualified teachers. The District provides extensive opportunities for professional development in addition to instructional supports such as building mentors, cultural mentors, instructional coaches, language development coaches, team leads, division chairs, and AVID team leads. 

As part of our dual language model, our teaching teams are partnered with one delivering instruction in Spanish and the other in English. Within the partnership, our teacher teams possess expertise in ESL and Bilingual instruction. We focus on training on our teacher to instruct the ‘whole’ child using all of the linguistic assets the child posses and building them from there. 

The District is very proud to serve as hosts for our multicultural, multilingual teacher exchange program. Our International Teachers are hired from various exchange partnerships throughout Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain, Paraguay, Colombia, Honduras, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico (United States). If you are interested in joining our amazing team of educators, please check here for our openings. 

What is the History of Harvard CUSD 50’s  Dual Language Program?

In 2007, Harvard Community Unit School District 50 embarked on a journey that would result in one of the most impactful educational opportunities for the students and families of Harvard, Illinois. With 56 students enrolled, the district’s first Dual Language cohort began with two first-grade classrooms. District 50 developed the new dual language immersion program in response to a need to support the growing English Learner (EL) population while also serving English-speaking families who value the benefits of being bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. Despite its humble beginnings, the program has blossomed into a shared district and community vision.

Amber Bowgren, Director of Language and Cultural Education abowgren@cusd50.org

Sandra Balleño, Bilingual Communication Specialist sballeno@cusd50.org

Adileni Sanchez, Bilingual Communication Facilitator asanchez2@cusd50.org

Keren Figueroa, Administrative Assistant to DeLCE kfigueroa@cusd50.org

Phone: 815-943-4022