Arabic Dual Language
In the Arabic Dual Language Two-Way Immersion program at Elizabeth Learning Center, (ELC), students learn all core subjects in both Arabic and English including Math, Science, and Social Studies. Students also engage in unique activities such as visiting Arabic grocery shops, eating in Arabic restaurants, learning how to folk dance (debkah, do Arabic Yoga, and much more). Students at ELC are exposed to three languages. Most of the students speak Spanish at home. At ELC:
- All teachers are fully credentialed and certified
- The program receives district, federal, and private funding
- The program utilizes 21st century skills
- Students who have studied Arabic from LAUSD were admitted to elite colleges in California and East coast including: UCLA, USC, Georgetown, Stanford, Yale, Dartmouth and many more.
About the Program
The immersion program is designed so that students achieve academic proficiency in both English and Arabic and become bilingual, bicultural and biliterate. To facilitate that students become bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate, the program offers:
- Language fluency in both English and Arabic
- Rigorous academic instruction
- Cultural awareness and appreciation
- Nurturing, supportive learning environment
ELC's Arabic Immersion Program implements the 50/50 model. The instruction is 50% in English and 50% in Arabic. Each classroom consists of students who are fluent in either Arabic or English and they serve as each other’s language models.
LAUSD is working to establish pipelines in the East Los Angeles area to offer students graduating from ELC's Arabic Immersion Program the opportunity to attend a local middle school with a dual language program to further their study in Arabic. A local senior high school, Bell High School, offers Arabic as one of its foreign languages.
All Dual Language students wishing to enroll after the beginning of first grade, must pass language proficiency tests in English and the Target Language.
ELC Students Performing at LAUSD 2019 English Learner Symposium
Research shows:
- Learning a second language helps increase listening ability, memory, creativity, and critical thinking - all of which are thinking processes that improve learning in general.
- When students are fluent in two languages, they perform better academically than their monolingual peers.
- Research shows that the best time for children to become fluent in another language is before the age of 13.
- Cultural awareness and appreciation prepare students to understand how to work within a diverse work force.
- For heritage speakers, learning one’s heritage language fosters a sense of self-concept and pride.
- Learning Arabic in elementary school prepares students for taking advanced Arabic courses (AP) in secondary schools and college.