TLP Language Immersion Program !  18 months – 11 years (optimal age) !  International yet small company ! United States & Spain ! Preschools, Elementary, Middle Schools

& Community Organizations

The Language Project is a second language immersion program on a mission to revolutionize how and when children learn a new language and to foster a generation of multilingual Americans.

Curriculum

!  The Language Project offers a sequential and comprehensive curriculum from early education through middle school.

! Spiraled 8 level program + Middle School

"  Preschool – Two Levels "  Elementary – Six Levels " Middle Schools – Two Levels

!  Lisa Brown-Olsen "  Director of Curriculum and Training "  Masters Degree Foreign Language Education "  Teaching L2 over 20 years

!  Sarah Greenwood "  Founder & CEO of The Language Project "  Director of TLP Academy in Seville, Spain "  Bringing L2 to children since 2009

Why teach Second Language in Early Childhood?

Starting Younger

! Develop advanced proficiency in one or more languages

! Native-like pronunciation and intonation ! Natural curiosity for learning ! Open and accepting of other languages and cultures

Starting Younger

! Enhanced cognitive development ! Build on developing literacy skills ! Higher level linguistic achievement

Improved Cognitive Skills

!  Increases critical thinking skills, creativity and cognitive flexibility

!  Improved problem solving ! Process information more efficiently and

easily

Improved Standardized Test Scores

!  Second language learners outscore non-second language learners on Standardized tests "  Verbal "  Math

!  Testing performance improves with continued linguistic development "  2-3 years of language study = improved scores "  7-8 years of language study = significantly

improved scores

Brain Development ! Significant effect on the structure and

development of brain "  Stimulates new neural growth and

connections among neurons "  Structural evidence that age of acquisition is

crucial in laying down the structure for language.

Immersion Programs

! Develop native-like pronunciation !  Transfer internalized grammar !  Target language is the vehicle for

learning content " Content is inherently more interesting " Maximizes instructional time "  All students can achieve

functional bilingualism

TLP Immersion Program

! Right Age – Right Methodology "  Takes advantage of Linguistic Window "  Pre-metacognition "  Acquisition instead of Learning "  Language is the means by which children achieve goals and accomplish tasks.

Knowing and Understanding Other Languages and Cultures

!  21st Century Skill ! Prepares students to live and work in a

global Society Critical Thinking

Communication

Col

labo

ratio

n Creativity

Let’s PLAY with Language! A Second Language Acquisition Experience

How does this program engage young children?

¡Hola Chicos!

! Warm- up Activities " Gather together - ¡Manos arriba! "  Song - Hola, hola chicos " Circle Time ○  Personalized chants, Q & A, discussion

TPR – Total Physical Response

!  Together ! Delayed ! Assessment ! Creativity

Vocabulary Introduction

!  The Magic Box ! Games ! Songs ! Meaningful Repetition

Story Time ! Builds on vocabulary ! Develops opportunities for interaction

" Motion "  Participation " Circling "  Personalization

¡Adiós Chicos!

! Wrap-up lesson ! Acknowledgements ! Song

Let’s PLAY with Language! Developing Early Childhood Skills and Methods

How would this type of language immersion experience benefit the students you have now?

Early Childhood L2 Immersion Program in your School District

! Who is your target group of students? ! What curriculum is available? ! Who would teach?

" Qualifications " Native Speakers

! When would it take place? " During school "  After or before school

Keep in Mind

! Age plays a significant role in second language acquisition

!  There is a difference between L2 learning and L2 acquisition "  Learning = analytical & conscious "  Acquisition = natural & unconscious much

like first language

Language Acquisition is a Journey

! Not accomplished overnight ! Constant relevant exposure !  The sooner a child begins, the greater

the gains "  In that language "  Academically " Globally

! What do you want to know? ! What do you need to know? ! How do you find out more?

For more information

!  The Language Project " www.languageprojectkids.com

Sources !  American Council on Teaching Foreign

Language "  www.acftl.org

!  Bilingual Brains Better Equipped to Process Information "  Date: November 7,2014 "  Source: Northwestern University

!  Learning a New Language Alters Brain Development "  Date: August 29, 2013 "  Source: McGill University

www.languageprojectkids.com