Language Immersion
Achieving fluency and a deeper understanding of new languages
The Power of Language Immersion
Language immersion involves surrounding our students with Mandarin and Spanish language in a way that mimics a child’s natural language learning environment.
These elements combined make language immersion a powerful method for achieving fluency and a deeper understanding of a new language.
NATURAL PROGRESSION
The immersive environment allows for a natural, gradual, organic improvement, similar to how children typically learn language.
CONSTANT EXPOSURE
Daily exposure to the language enables students to naturally acquire vocabulary, grammar, and pronounciation through context and repetition, similar to how they learned their first language.
NO TRANSLATION
Immersion encourages thinking directly in the target language rather than translating from the native language, leading to faster and more fluent language acquisition.
CONTEXTUAL LEARNING
Immersion provides real-life context and uses facial expressions and body language to make learning meaningful. Understanding is reinforced by situational cues, making the learned information easier to recall and apply in suitable contexts.
CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
Language immersion goes hand-in-hand with cultural immersion. Immersive environments help students understand cultural nuances, idioms, and expressions that are difficult to grasp through traditional learning methods.
ACTIVE USAGE
Immersion requires students to actively use the language in everyday situations, promoting practical communication skills. Daily language activities facilitate increased language retention and promote enhanced language comprehension.
Global Seal of Bilteracy
RSI students earn two Global Seals of Biliteracy.
The Global Seal of Biliteracy is an international credential that certifies our students’ proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in two or more languages.
This credential offers a competitive advantage for our students by helping them obtain scholarships, higher pay, college credits, global study abroad opportunities, extended career prospects, and so much more.
Grades K-5
We believe true language mastery comes from immersive, subject-based learning. That’s why we integrate language immersion directly into our curriculum, allowing students to not only become fluent but also excel academically in each language.
At RSI, math and science are taught in Chinese, while language arts and history are instructed in English. Spanish is introduced as a dedicated language course. This approach enables our students to grasp complex concepts—including technical terms—in their target language. They gain a deep understanding of each subject while strengthening their language skills.
This immersive approach also enables RSI students to earn two Global Seals of Biliteracy by the time they graduate high school, preparing them to excel in the global marketplace.
Grades 6-8
Students who enroll at RSI in middle school can choose between Spanish or Mandarin Chinese courses, separate from their core academics, fulfilling their foreign language college entrance requirements. These students learn the language from the beginner level and can work their way up to a functional fluency level, earning a Global Seal of Biliteracy in their chosen language by the time they graduate, giving them an advantage going into college and the workforce.
Grades 9-12
RSI’s high school program offers an immersive language learning experience that goes beyond traditional instruction. Students in grades 9-12 can choose between Spanish or Mandarin Chinese courses, separate from their core academics, fulfilling their foreign language college entrance requirements. Successful completion of AP Chinese or AP Spanish can satisfy the “Language Other Than English” requirement for the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). This program fosters an engaging environment where students interact daily with the language and culture, promoting a deep understanding of linguistic nuances and cultural context.
The immersive approach allows students to practice the language in authentic situations, enhancing their cultural fluency and accelerating their learning. Students gain a more intuitive grasp of vocabulary, grammar, and idiomatic expressions by integrating language into everyday activities.
Opportunities for local internships and study abroad experiences further enrich high school students’ cultural immersion, providing invaluable insights into the customs and traditions of the communities where the target languages are spoken.
The focus on cultural context helps students develop intercultural competence, preparing them for success in our increasingly globalized world. By the end of their high school journey, RSI students achieve significant language proficiency and earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy, demonstrating their ability to navigate and communicate effectively across different cultures. RSI’s holistic educational experience provides valuable skills for future academic and professional endeavors.