| Glendale District starts Japanese Immersion Program at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary
 | | In the kindergarten level of the Japanese immersion program in Glendale, two classrooms are designated for Japanese and English respectively. The children in this classroom are learning numbers in Japanese. (Cultural News Photo) |
This Fall, about 70 students at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School in Glendale began kindergarten and first grade with their instruction in Japanese. This is because they are part of a new Japanese language immersion program called the Foreign Language Academy of Glendale - Japanese or FLAG-J. Started in part with the assistance of a federal FLAP grant, FLAG-J is one of several up-and-coming foreign language immersion programs in public schools within the Glendale Unified School District. In these programs students learn all subjects in both English and the target language. In the FLAG-J program students get 50% of their instruction in Japanese and 50% in English. Lessons are very hands-on and an emphasis is put on making instruction fun and exciting for all students. In addition to developing oral language fluency and literacy in both languages, a strong emphasis is put on developing students' 'academic language,' the foundation for their success in school. Cultural enrichment is also a focus for the FLAG-J Program. In addition to incorporating culture into the curriculum, students benefit from unique experiences such as recent Japanese taiko and koto demonstrations. There are currently a number of other enrichment plans being developed for the program that utilize the wealth of Japanese culture available in the Los Angeles area. Though immersion programs are nothing new, they have seen a surge in popularity lately as people have become more aware of their benefits. Not only is being immersed the best way to learn a foreign language, but learning about other cultures helps to teach children about global citizenship. Also, research has shown that developing bilingualism at an early age can help to stimulate brain development. This is pertinent because students enter the program at Kindergarten and stay in the program through sixth grade. Because there are so many benefits for children to participate in an educational program like FLAG-J, the program has generated strong interest. Luckily, though families living within the Verdugo Woodlands school attendance zone have priority, the program is open to anyone in any school district (pending release permit). Interested parents are encouraged sign up for a mandatory FLAG-J school tour as soon as possible. Enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year begins in March. For more information on the Japanese immersion program or to reserve a spot on a school tour, contact Mike Jaffe, Project Specialist of FLAG-J program at mjaffe@gusd.net or call (818) 241-2433. Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School is located at 1751 North Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208
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