Seventh International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education

Strand III: Program Design, Development and Evaluation

French

Pre-K
Elementary (K-5)
Middle School/Junior High
High School

French dual language & immersion programs in the US take on many shapes and forms to answer the needs of the community. This paper introduces key findings from our national survey. The two dominant trends in program creation are state-led initiatives and grassroots initiatives. Louisiana and Utah exemplify the state-led model, where the state legislature enables school districts to create immersion programs. Such initiatives can facilitate easier recruitment of bilingual teachers; help accelerate the creation of curricula; and normalize foreign/second language development standards across the state. Georgia is also in the early development stages of supporting a dual language initiative. Beyond the economic benefits of teaching students a second language, states see a means to accelerate learning, to keep students from dropping out of school, to increase academic outcomes, and to close the achievement gap. French dual language programs have existed across the United States for decades.