Alexander M. Patch Elementary School
Stuttgart, Germany

German Immersion

The German Partial Immersion program is available to a limited number of students in grades one, two and three.  If you are interested in having your child considered for placement in this program, please fill out the form in the main office.
 

Criteria for Enrollment

• DEROS date of at least 2 years from the entrance into the program (3 years for multi-age GI)
• No German spoken at home
• No first language acquisition delays

Interest in the German Immersion program is always high and there is only a very limited number of classroom slots available. Particular attention is given to ensure that the Immersion class reflects, as closely as possible, the general population of the grade level.

What are the benefits of being bilingual?

Learning a second language at an early age…

• Has a recognized positive effect on intellectual growth.
• Enriches and enhances a child’s mental development.
• Leaves a student with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• Improves a child’s understanding of his/her native language.
• Gives a child the ability to actively communicate with people he/she would otherwise not have the chance to get to know.
• Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.
• Allows more active participation in a globalize world and economy.

What is partial-immersion?

• It is a means of acquiring a foreign language through content matter instruction for half of the school day.
• Subjects taught in German are math, science, social studies, and health.

What are the overall goals of partial immersion?

• To develop students’ understanding and communicative ability in the German language.
• To develop multicultural awareness and a more global perspective.
• To succeed academically in all subject areas.

Partial Language Immersion Standards
(Please note that the stages do not correspond with the number of years in a language program.)

Beginning Stage
1. Students will be able to follow directions.
2. Students will be able to imitate sounds.
3. Students will be able to communicate in simple words and sentences.
4. Students will be exposed to cultural experiences.
5. Students will be able to copy and read symbols and words.
6. Students will be able to list, identify, and label objects, concepts, and feelings.

Intermediate Stage
1. Students will be able to interact orally in curricular content discussions.
2. Students will be able to decode a simple text with limited comprehension.
3. Students will be able to copy simple sentences.
4. Students will be able to respond in learned phrases to everyday situations.
5. Students will be able to interact in cultural activities.

Why acquire a second language at an early age?

Research shows:

• A positive effect on intellectual growth
• More flexibility in students’ thinking
• Greater sensitivity to language
• Improved listening skills