Dual language school or not?

[Trojans Fan 7]

I am bringing my wife and her two children (5 and 10 years old) to the US from Brazil. They only speak Portuguese. I was wondering what would be best for the kids and would like your opinions or experience if you have gone through the same thing.

I have two options for my kids:

1) Enroll them in an English only school.

or

2) Enroll them in a dual language school that is primarily made up of native English speakers that teaches 1/2 day in English and the other 1/2 day in Spanish.

My thoughts on the subject are that A) it could be an easier transition for the kids, since they speak Portuguese, they should be able to understand more of the Spanish than the English or that B) It would be overwhelming for them to try an learn 2 languages at the same time.

I just want to know if you think it would be information overload for the kids or it would be easier on them.

Edited May 3, 2012 by Trojans Fan

[Thomas&Cleofe 358]

I am bringing my wife and her two children (5 and 10 years old) to the US from Brazil. They only speak Portuguese. I was wondering what would be best for the kids and would like your opinions or experience if you have gone through the same thing.

I have two options for my kids:

1) Enroll them in an English only school.

or

2) Enroll them in a dual language school that is primarily made up of native English speakers that teaches 1/2 day in English and the other 1/2 day in Spanish.

My thoughts on the subject are that A) it could be an easier transition for the kids, since they speak Portuguese, they should be able to understand more of the Spanish than the English or that B) It would be overwhelming for them to try an learn 2 languages at the same time.

I just want to know if you think it would be information overload for the kids or it would be easier on them.

My wife just enrolled our 5 year old son in a Christian English Academy. He only speaks the native language now...so we wont bring him to the US for a couple years until he can read, speak, and understand English.

[Carol & Lenin 16]

we are going dual language route ie: 1/2 the day in english 1/2 in spanish teaching the same content in each language that way she wont fall as far behind while learning the language.

[Trojans Fan 7]

we are going dual language route ie: 1/2 the day in english 1/2 in spanish teaching the same content in each language that way she wont fall as far behind while learning the language.

Is your childs native language Spanish or something else?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I am bringing my wife and her two children (5 and 10 years old) to the US from Brazil. They only speak Portuguese. I was wondering what would be best for the kids and would like your opinions or experience if you have gone through the same thing.

I have two options for my kids:

1) Enroll them in an English only school.

or

2) Enroll them in a dual language school that is primarily made up of native English speakers that teaches 1/2 day in English and the other 1/2 day in Spanish.

My thoughts on the subject are that A) it could be an easier transition for the kids, since they speak Portuguese, they should be able to understand more of the Spanish than the English or that B) It would be overwhelming for them to try an learn 2 languages at the same time.

I just want to know if you think it would be information overload for the kids or it would be easier on them.

Alla is a certified ESL teacher in both Ukraine and now the USA, and our youngest son spoke very little English on arrival. Immersion is the concensus on teaching children a language and our son went to a regular school with an ESL program. In an ESL program they speak ONLY English but offer help and support. I also worked with him every night with his homework and worked closely with his school and teachers. In three months he was out of ESL and was actually promoted from 8th grade to 10th grade. (he is still doing a 4 year HS program but simply was given credit for the required 9th grade classes)

We also had a strict ENGLISH only rule for several months for movies and reading, and reading was required at home. We used some adapative ESL books for him. Your librabry should have these. He also participated in sports at school...get them involved in some activity with other children their age. He has excelled in school, is top of his class, has moved into taking University Math courses now at the University of Vermont (while still in High School) and now we speak Russian at home and Alla is teaching him Russian (we do not want his Russian to stagnate at the 8th grade level) He has a job and has plenty of opportunity to use English every day. Incidentally he is now in his thrid year of Spanish class and is getting straight A's in that making it his FOURTH language (Russian, Ukrainian, English, Spanish)

I vote...ENGLISH only.

Good luck, assure your fiancee the children can do very well here. I am sure it is a concern for her

[kate&javi 26]

As an ESL teacher, I would also recommend the English only school. Yes, maybe it's intimidating at first but at a young age, they will adapt pretty easily. Plus those types of school have a lot of support, especially for students who are struggling. But ESL classes are structured for those students who do NOT know English. The more they are around the language, the faster they will learn. Plus, if you live in an English only environment, it will really help them a lot! Immersion works wonders.

Edited May 4, 2012 by kate&javi

[menina 50]

I agree with English only school. I speak both Spanish and Portuguese fluently. They are similar, but there are enough differences that I think it would be very confusing for your children trying to learn both at the same time. I am a teacher in an elementary school that has many non-English or limited English speakers. I am constantly amazed at how fast they pick up English. Immersion really is the key as others have said here. I believe that most if not all schools offer some type of extra support for students that are learning English. All the best for you and your family!

[Reyan 56]

From personal experience, I came here with my family as a refugee immigrant and did not speak a word of English (I came to the US when I was 5 years old) and went to an English only school. I attended regular classes and additional ESL courses with other immigrant children at my school. Children learn/adapt pretty quickly. People are surprise that I was an immigrant, since I don't have an accent and I've been told by many people that my English is better than some native speakers.

[Trojans Fan 7]

Good luck, assure your fiancee the children can do very well here. I am sure it is a concern for her

You got that right! My wife is very concerned with the kids transition.

Thank you all for the info.