Language Immersion and Dual Instruction

A basic principle at WIS is that students benefit from being taught in two languages. Fluency in more than one language opens not only greater possibilities of communication but also greater understanding of other cultures.

Students in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten follow a language immersion program in French or Spanish
Students in Grades 1 to 5 spend half of their academic class time each day working in English and the other half in either French, Spanish, or, for native speakers, Dutch
Intensive Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) is offered in Grades 2 – 5 to allow new students to enroll even if they do not already speak French, Spanish, or Dutch

These schedules allow students to learn through language and about language. Students learn to understand, speak, read, and write effectively in both languages.

“Bilingual children have huge benefits in the tool box of their brain in every subject. Becoming bilingual means that you develop connections across the two hemispheres of the brain that don’t exist in children who have one language. And it enhances all areas of thinking.” Tina Thuermer, Upper School teacher