Language Immersion
Full day, 9 am – 3 pm
Ages 3 – 5:
Half day, 9 am – 12 noon, or
Full day, 9 am – 3 pm
Our Language Immersion Camps allow students to explore language, customs, and cultures in an interactive classroom. Campers learn new vocabulary and apply their knowledge
of the target language in a
wide range of games, songs, dances,
crafts, stories, and dialogs. Activities
are organized around the theme of
the week.
Students are divided by age into small groups to ensure maximum individual attention, with an eight to one student–teacher ratio, six to one for children ages three and four. In addition, campers are separated by levels in each age group, but they also take part in activities that combine beginners and more advanced students. This challenges beginners and allows experienced speakers the opportunity to help others in a nurturing and fun environment. As with all WIS language programs, all our teachers are native speakers.
Ability levels
Beginner: This program is designed
for students who have never had
any instruction in the language or
for those who have had only limited
exposure or one year instruction in
the target language. This level introduces
basic concepts, beginner’s
vocabulary, sentence formation, and
topic directed vocabulary.
Intermediate/Advanced: This level is for students who have completed at least two years in an immersion or partial immersion environment. They must have at least a moderate understanding of the oral language. Lunch, recess, and a quiet or nap time conclude the morning session for the five-and-under set. Halfday students eat lunch and leave at noon, before quiet time. In the past, campers have enjoyed occasional field trips and many international events onsite, including a French harmonica player; an Argentinean collector of fans and combs; a Guinean drummer, a Spanish speaking firefighter, and international dancers, singers, and magicians. Forty-five minutes to an hour of sports and games are also part of the program, all conducted in the target language. Children six and older swim twice a week at a nearby pool, where the ratio of student to adult is four to one and children are divided by level; swimming instruction is part of the program. Water play on campus for our youngest children includes water tables, sprinklers, and lots of laughter.
French or Spanish Immersion
Ages 3 – 8
Weekly, June 23 – August 1
Chinese
Ages 5 – 8
Session I: June 23 – July 3
Session II: July 7 – July 18
Session III: July 21 – August 1
English as a Second Language
Ages 5 – 8
Weekly, June 23 – August 1
The world’s children converge at
WIS every year to participate in our
English as a Second Language (ESL)
program. Based on the same principles
as all our immersion programs,
the English program is built around
a range of hands-on activities and
field trips that teach about life in
the United States in an enjoyable
and memorable fashion. As children
from so many different backgrounds
participate, the student–teacher ratio
in the ESL camp is often as low as
five to one.
