WEST LIBERTY - Some small Iowa schools are taking creative steps so their students can compete later in life. In West Liberty, the district is celebrating its 10th year of a dual-language program. Students go through the entire school curriculum, but some classes are in Spanish and some are in English. While some people will argue English is the only language children should learn in America, the district sees this as a positive and progressive experience for everyone.

Once the beads are draped across her neck, the kindergartners know Ms. Bradfield is only speaking Spanish. She leads a game of bingo and teaches the fundamentals of forming a word. For a decade Laura Bradfield has taught five-year-olds in Spanish and English. Back and forth throughout the school day and entire school year. She said, “The two really work well together. As much as you can integrate the better."

What you might typically see in big diverse cities like Chicago, Miami and New York, you can also find in small town Iowa. The West Liberty School District decided 10 years ago to start a dual-language program. Director of Curriculum Lisa Stevenson said, "You're learning the same content. You're just learning it in the second language as well as the first."

Stevenson says the district is teetering on a high-wire balancing act. In today's 'No Child Left Behind' world, arts and language are often cut. West Liberty has found a way to incorporate foreign language from the start of school right up through to graduation. Stevenson said, “You're killing two birds with one stone. We're giving them exposure to a foreign language but not at the expense of what they're supposed to be learning according to the state.”

About 40-percent of the district starts the program in kindergarten. By the time they get to 9th grade they are supposed to be fluent in Spanish. But the freshmen who have been immersed in dual-language since day one, say it is not that simple. Freshman Thomas Allen said, “When you're down it's hard to come back up."

Allen considers himself fluent in Spanish, but he has the same problem most people have when learning a language. He does not use it outside of class. So missing a day for any reason puts him in a hole that is hard to climb out of. Meanwhile, Jason Cardenas comes from a Spanish-speaking family. The program has helped this freshman learn both languages properly. Cardenas said, “Just using correct Spanish, not Spanish off the streets."

The program still has some flaws to shake out. But it is growing in popularity. Next year the district is adding a third kindergarten class. And the plan is to not let anyone miss a beat.

The school district is having a ceremony to honor the 10th year of the dual-language program on May 17th. That is also the weekend of graduation.
 
Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com