Goal of the Program

The dual language program offers a school within school approach to second language acquisition education.   The goal of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to become fully bilingual by learning, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in English and the target language.  It is suggested that students start participating in the program in Kindergarten.  Students who participate in the program will continue in the program at the next grade level the following year. 

Benefits of a Dual Language Program

• Students need to meet the demands of today’s global society and economic opportunities.
• Prepares students for college and career readiness.
• Develops higher-order thinking skills as students learn a second language.
• Knowledge learned through one language facilitates acquisition of the second language.
• Responds to parental desire for dual language programs.
• Students’ benefit from cognitive advantages associated with second language acquisition.
• Promotes multicultural awareness and appreciation for other languages and cultures.

Language Acquisition

• Language is acquired in a sequential and spiral form.  The earlier the student is taught a second language, the better their opportunity to become fully bilingual.
• Research shows that it takes five to seven years to acquire academic language. If the student starts learning a second language in high school, it is often too late to become bilingual.
• The knowledge and skills acquired in one language are transferred to the second language.
• Promotes parental choice in their child’s education.

Description of the Program

The BCPS Dual Language Program will begin in Kindergarten or First Grade. Students who participate in the program will continue at the next grade level the following year.  Students will learn the second language in context.  Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math are taught in English and Spanish.

Reading and Phonics

StoryPlace - The Children's Digital Library - Stories in English and Spanish

Colorín Colorado - Reading tips in English and Spanish

The Literacy Center Education Network - Literacy lessons in English, Spanish, German & French

Tumblebooks -Read-Watch-Learn! - Animated books in English and French

Starfall - Learn to Read with Phonics - Reading resources in English

Coloring, Arts & Crafts, Manipulatives, Lesson Plans and Activities

Education Place - Pre-K-8 educational resources - Web organizers in English and Spanish

First-School - Preschool activities and crafts in English, Spanish, French, Deutsch, and Italian

NASA's Space Place - Games, projects and animations 

Coloring Pages for Kids - Coloring, games, and puzzles

Kids R Crafty - Activity sheets in English and Spanish

Making Learning Fun – Free printables

DLTK's Crafts for Kids - Printable children's crafts, coloring pages and activities

Handwriting Worksheets - Custom handwriting worksheets

Salón Hogar - Alphabet and activities in Spanish

Istation - Istation Download & Technical Support