M.S. 137: Goals for your child in our Dual America’s Language Spanish Program Attitude School of • Proficiency in English & Heroes Spanish. is • Ability to speak, read, write and th understand English and 109-15 98 Street Spanish. a little thing Ozone Park, NY 11417 • Academic performance at or above grade level in English and 718-659-0471 Spanish. that makes • Cultural diversity among all students. a Why Dual Language is IMPORTANT! Dual Language • Our program fosters intellectual Program growth. BIG • A child who speaks more than one language has personal, social and cognitive advantages, which will difference! continue throughout his/her life. • Students develop positive self- esteem, and cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors that will help them function as Global Citizens. Twitter: @ms137heroes www.heroesofms137.org M.S. 137’s Dual Language Program Benefits of Dual The Dual Language program at M.S. 137 is an educational experience in which Language children in grade 6 develop the ability to speak, read and write in English and • The brain has extensive capacity to Spanish. We use the two languages for learn multiple languages at a young literacy and content area instruction of age. Math and Science for all students. • A child's native home language is not a Our approach is a “Side-by-Side” model. barrier to achieving success in a Dual The side-by-side model means that each Language environment. Some of our class works with two teachers. Students students whose first languages are spend one day participating in classes Bengali, Arabic, Punjabi or Russian leave our school having mastered a using the English language and one day third language. participating in classes using the Spanish Language. This method is repeated • Students learning two languages throughout the week in an effort to make acquire many cognitive benefits such meaningful connections between both as mental flexibility, nonverbal languages and to assist students with problem solving skills and enhanced general language acquisition. critical thinking. Active parental support is important to the long term success of the child. Mastery • Students also have the ability to pursue Dual Language opportunities at the of the two languages is more likely when High School Level, allowing them families commit to the program for the preferred admission into H.S. Dual duration of the child's education. Language Spanish Programs. In addition to the academic aspect of Dual • Student outcomes on New York State Language, we work with students to and local exams are positively enhance their social, emotional and impacted by the presence of a second cultural awareness. language. .