Culver City, home to the first language immersion program in a U.S. public school district, will commemorate its 40th anniversary of language immersion with a three day celebration May 13-15. .
The celebration will honor 40 years of the School District’s Spanish immersion program, and 20 years of its Japanese immersion program.
The special events will include a language immersion symposium, children’s day celebration, and alumni reunion. The event is sponsored by the Advocates for Language Learning El Marino.
The School District is a “Language Immersion District.”
El Marino Language School is a K-5 elementary school in the School District, which is solely dedicated to immersion in Spanish or Japanese.
La Ballona Elementary School offers a Spanish immersion program as well as traditional English-only education. The District also offers immersion programs at its Middle School and high school levels. The Culver City immersion program began in 1971. El Marino became a dedicated immersion school in 1994.
Language Immersion is a method of teaching a second language in which the target language (in this case, Spanish and Japanese) is used for instruction.
Students are “immersed” and taught core subjects like math, history and social studies, in the target language, as if they are learning in English. The goal of immersion, especially at the elementary level, is that the students emerge being able to communicate in more than one language. Experts indicate that other benefits of being bilingual and bi-literate include a positive effect on intellectual growth, enhanced mental development, and an appreciation for cultures other than the child's own.
Celebration Details
The 40th Anniversary Celebration of Language Immersion in Culver City begins on Friday, May 13, with a language immersion symposium, “Looking Back, Leading the Way.”
The afternoon symposium will feature panel discussions with language immersion experts and special guests. Yong Zhao, Presidential Chair and Associate Dean for Global Education, College of Education at the University of Oregon, will deliver the evening keynote address. The author of “Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization,” will speak on global education.
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu of California’s 32nd district is also invited to speak. Dr. Chu introduced the Global Languages Early Education (GLEE) Act that authorizes $100 million to establish bilingual early-learning programs in schools across the country.
Open to the public, early registration ticket prices are $35 for the symposium and keynote address, $30 for the symposium only, and $10 for the keynote address only.
On Saturday, May 14, El Marino Language School will host a celebration of Spanish and Japanese culture at their annual Children’s Day event. The event will feature Japanese and Spanish cuisine, dance and songs. Children’s Event takes place at 11450 Port Rd. Admission is free. Details and event times are to be announced.
On Sunday, May 15, the anniversary celebration will conclude with a Culver City immersion program alumni reunion, reuniting alumni from 1971 to 2010. Alumni and their families, current program participants and anyone interested in learning about the experience of an immersion education and its positive impact are encouraged to attend.
Reunion events include a retrospective of the school’s programs, arts and crafts booths, and a bronze plaque re-dedication of the sculpture Language Opens the World to Us, designed by Carol Bardin and her father Milton Michaelson.
The sculpture, originally dedicated in 1986, stands on the grounds of El Marino Language School. The alumni reunion will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 at the El Marino Language School. Admission is $5. Attendees can bring their own picnic lunches, or they can purchase ethnic food sponsored by La Ballona Elementary.
About the Sponsors
Advocates for Language Learning El Marino (ALLEM) is a nonprofit group run by El Marino Language School parent-volunteers. ALLEM raises funds to hire target language teacher’s aides for every classroom at the elementary school. The teachers’ aides, called “adjuncts,” are native Spanish or Japanese speakers who assist teachers so that students receive more individualized attention. ALLEM also sponsors Spanish and Japanese cultural classes, such as flamenco and taiko drumming.
For additional information, see www.allelmarino.org.
Ms. Wisnosky Stehlin may be contacted at jeannine@NewAmericanTheatre.com
