The Natrona County School District's dual language immersion (DLI) program aims to teach students a second language by dividing instruction between English and another language, enhancing cognitive skills and global awareness. Developed with support from the Language Flagship Consortium, the program plans to implement Mandarin and Spanish classes in the fall of 2013, driven by supportive community involvement. Key requests include sending out proposals to interested elementary schools and establishing a waitlist for the new language programs.

1. Natrona County School District
Dual Language Immersion Program

3. What is Dual Language
Immersion?
 The least expensive and most effective way to teach children
another language.
 A rich bilingual experience that teaches children another
language when they are developmentally best able to acquire
a second language.
 Instruction is divided into two high quality creative
classrooms: Half the day is taught in English, the other half
is taught in a second language.
 Students learn content areas, such as math and science, in the
second language.

4. Who will develop the program?
 Because of the foresight of Ann Tollfeson and Dr. Mark
Mathern Wyoming is a member of The Language Flagship
Consortium.
 The consortium provides a free “language in a box” access to
its members.
 The consortium has already worked out the bugs and glitches
to create a successful language program.

5. Language in a Box!

6. Why do we need Dual
Language Immersion?
 Students acquire second language skills.
 Enhanced Cognitive Skills.
 Improved Performance on Standardized Tests.
 Students will be more marketable in the global market.
 Increased Global and Cultural Awareness.
 Students will have new doors open to them that would
otherwise be closed.

7. When do we want to implement
DLI in Natrona County?
 There will never be a perfect time for the implementation of
DLI.
 Governor Matt Mead wants to see DLI started. He
mentioned this in his State of the State address.
 Natrona County School District has the opportunity to lead
the state in DLI education
 Implement a Mandarin and Spanish program in the fall of
2013.
 There are many passionate parents involved in getting DLI
into the county.

9. “Be the change you wish to see
in the world.” Mohandas
Gandhi

10. Requests
1. To be able to send out Request for Proposals (RFPs) to
elementary schools interested in starting a DLI program.
2. To create a waitlist for a Spanish and Mandarin program
that will begin in the fall of 2013.

11. Wyoming Dual Language
Steering Committee Members
 Jennifer Deurloo
 Nohora Groce
 Kelly Hornby
 Lupe Lore
 Brandee Mau
 Mark Peterson
 Shawnna Punteney
 Ann Tollefson
 Thea True-Wells

12. Discussion