Bilingual school joins international program

FORT WAYNE – An elementary school where students spend half the day speaking Spanish has been invited to join a unique program sponsored by Spain’s government.\nLindley Elementary School has been invited to join the International Spanish Academies Program, which partners schools with the Ministry of Education and Science in Spain.\nThe Spanish government sent a representative to tour the school and observe its efforts to help children become bilingual in English and Spanish, said Fort Wayne Community Schools officials.\n“We believe all children are capable of learning a second language, not just a select group,” said Principal Gerald Arthur.\nLindley students spend half their day speaking English in subjects like reading, writing and spelling. The Spanish half of the day includes Spanish language classes, math, science and social studies.\nThe immersion method can be intimidating for parents. Some say it’s strange to hear a child reading in Spanish before English. Helping with homework can be difficult when instructions are in Spanish.\nBut supporters say the payoffs outweigh the inconveniences.\nStudents are bilingual, perform well in English, become independent learners and have the advantage of a second language when they reach adulthood and look for jobs.\nLindley began its Spanish immersion program in 1992 with just 50 students in kindergarten and first grade. It now includes all 430 students at the K-5 school.\nOnly a few dozen schools, including a few others in Indiana, participate in the International Spanish Academies Program.\nThrough the program, the Spanish government will provide money for Lindley students to take part in teleconferences with other Spanish immersion schools so students can speak Spanish with their peers.\nStudents who complete six years of the program will receive a certificate from the Spanish government.\nThe school will officially become a certified International Spanish Academy during an annual seminar in November in Los Angeles.