LTUSD is proud to offer a TK-12 Two-Way Bilingual Immersion Program. At its core, TWBI is a program designed to support English learners by building on first language literacy skills as well as providing an inclusive, multilingual, and multicultural learning environment. Link to Bijou's Two-Way Bilingual Immersion program.
The State Board of Education approved California English Learner Roadmap policy identifies high-quality multilingual programs, such as Two-Way Bilingual Immersion, as the most equitable and effective approach to educating English learners. Additionally, with the state superintendent initiative, Global California 2030, California has set a goal for half of all state students to participate in multilingual programs by 2030.
Program Goals:
Full proficiency in two languages (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
High levels of achievement in all core academic domains
Positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors
Equal access to/benefit from bilingual education and general education
Program Model:
Elementary TWBI students will attend Bijou Community School as part of a TK-5 or K-5 commitment to the program. the TWBI program at Bijou follows the 90%-10% model, in which instruction takes place 90% in Spanish in TK, K and 1st grade, 80% in Spanish in 2nd grade, 70% in Spanish in 3rd grade, 60% in Spanish in 4th grade, and culminates in 5th grade with instruction 50% in Spanish and 50% in English.
New for the 2022-2023 school year is TWBI transitional kindergarten. LTUSD was granted a Dual Language Immersion program grant by the California Department of Education to support the implementation of TWBI Transitional kindergarten.
Middle School TWBI students will take their social studies courses 100% in Spanish during all three years, and also take courses in Spanish language arts during all three years at South Tahoe Middle School.
High School TWBI students will take 2 courses in Spanish every year, including World History and World Geography in Spanish, Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 and 3, Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture, Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Culture, Spanish V Cinema, and El Mundo Hispano.
For more information about Two-Way Bilingual Immersion, please contact:
Bijou Community School at (530) 543-2337, attention Principal R. DePierri
South Tahoe Middle School at (530) 541-6404, attention Principal C. Martinez
South Tahoe High School at (530) 541-4111, attention Dept. Lead N. Salcedo
Multilingual Learner Equity at (530) 541-2850, ext. 1055, attention K. Goldberg