By learning a second language, students have the ability to grow in empathy and understanding, furthering their ability to learn from others, and love others well for God’s glory.Furthermore, Spanish Immersion equips our students to carry out the Gospel mission to which we are called as Christ’s disciples, namely, to join God in cultivating shalom amidst the chaos we find in our world. We understand that language learning is a lifelong journey and we are committed to helping your child learn, grow and integrate their Spanish all the way through 12th grade.
Spanish Immersion
Our Spanish immersion program gives our students the tools to live fully into our mission of equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ.
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Spanish Immersion Positive Outcomes
With the creation of our Spanish Immersion program we’ve seen positive outcomes not only for the students, but their families, Holland Christian as a whole, and our community. Students view themselves as bilingual and are willing to step out of their comfort zones as they must to practice their second language. We’ve heard so many stories of students, including our elementary students, serving people in the community in need of language help in the community. Our Spanish Immersion students’ worldviews are broadened with richer perspective as a natural result of the way speaking a second language shapes one’s view of the world. Holland Christian in turn has a greater diversity within our teaching staff allowing students in both our Spanish Immersion and English programs to interact with teachers who see the world differently from themselves, learn about and come to love other people’s cultures.
How we teach language immersion
You can read more about the various immersion language models above, including the “Early Total One-Way Language Immersion” program that we use at Rose Park. Our Spanish Immersion teachers work to bring students out into Holland’s Spanish-speaking community to practice their language skills in real-world and culturally rich experiences.
Elementary School Spanish Immersion
Holland Christian uses the Early Total One-Way full immersion model. Research suggests that students in partial immersion programs do not have Spanish proficiency to support the increased cognitive demands required in upper elementary and post-primary grades. Full immersion programs, such as Early Total One-Way, have been shown by research, as well as in practice, to be the most effective model for students, creating an environment for the highest level of Spanish fluency by graduation.
In Holland Christian’s Early Total One-Way Spanish Immersion program PK-2nd students are instructed in Spanish for 100% of the school day, and 3-5th graders receive less than 3 hours of English instruction each week.
Middle School Spanish Immersion
Language immersion in middle school helps students build strong communication skills while enhancing cognitive development and academic performance. By learning 2-3 subjects through a second language, students gain greater fluency, improved problem-solving abilities, and increased cultural awareness. Immersion programs also boost confidence and adaptability, preparing students for advanced language study, global citizenship, and future career opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world. Middle School program features:
- Time dedicated to Immersion classes and also traditional English classes and electives.
Content courses in Spanish Language Arts and Social Studies. - Access to AAPPL language test. (Taken in 8th grade and score could count toward Seal of Biliteracy upon HS graduation)
- We actively connect Spanish Immersion students with Spanish speakers in our school and local community.
Middle School Spanish Immersion Course Offerings
6th Grade Course Offerings
Spanish Language Arts
Spanish Language Arts focuses on building strong reading comprehension while developing clear, organized writing skills. Students also strengthen their understanding of grammar and expand their vocabulary to communicate more effectively.
Spanish Social Studies
Spanish Social Studies focuses on geography as students learn about how geographers think and the processes they use to investigate topics like culture, population, physical features, human-environment interactions, civics, and economics.
Bible
Based on the yearly schedule, Bible class may be offered in Spanish to provide our students with more time in the target language.
7th Grade Course Offerings
Spanish Language Arts
Spanish Language Arts primarily focuses on writing. There are 6 large essays/writings/projects: literary analysis, suspense, creative, memoir, script, and research. We also take time to study short stories, vocabulary, grammar, and speech.
Spanish Social Studies
Spanish Social Studies is an overview of world history until 1500, covering major civilizations, empires, nomadic groups, and human accomplishments throughout this large span of time. While the class’ main focus is on history, other social studies topics including geography, economics, political science, and religion are integrated into this study.
Bible
Based on the yearly schedule, Bible class may be offered in Spanish to provide our students with more time in the target language.
8th Grade Course Offerings
Spanish Language Arts
Spanish Language Arts is a variety of reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. We explore how we can enjoy reading text to learn about God’s world, and use writing to express ourselves clearly to be agents of light in God’s world.
Spanish Social Studies
Spanish Social Studies is a U.S. history survey course that covers from 1750-1875 with an emphasis on the values and ideals of our constitutional republic.
Spanish Culture & Connection
Spanish Culture and Connections is a class combining advanced conversational skills, with language development, English/Spanish mechanics and grammar comparison, with an emphasis on community connections and involvement. A class where students will have the opportunity to go deeper with their language skills and abilities while connecting with authentic opportunities in our broader Holland community.
High School Spanish Immersion
The benefits of a second language are seen in immersion programs that are well implemented over extended periods of time. For students to achieve grade level proficiency, it takes considerable time in the language throughout high school. Because of this, we are committed to offering more extensive course offerings to meet student language proficiency needs and prepare them for their futures beyond High School. We are committed to a 9-12 program with differentiated options to meet student needs. High school program features:
- 3 course offerings per semester (minimum two courses per year required for program participants)
- Calvin University Dual Enrollment (for up to 16 college credits)
- Content courses in Language Arts and Social Studies, giving more opportunities for electives (music, arts, etc)
- Spanish Immersion electives open to all students that have completed K-8 Spanish Immersion. (Some count as graduation requirements.)
- Access to AP Spanish test (test score could equal college credit)
- Students have the potential to receive the MI Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation.
- We actively connect Spanish Immersion students with Spanish speakers in our local community and in our school community.
High School Spanish Immersion Course Offerings
See the current year’s high school curriculum guide on our Registrar page, for a detailed description about any of the following courses.
9th Grade Course Offerings
- English 1 – SI (in place of English 1)
- Global Civilizations – SI (in place of Global Civilizations 1)
- One Spanish Immersion elective will be offered per semester rotating on a yearly basis:
- Odd Graduation Year Electives: Community Connections & Hispanic Visual & Performing Arts
- Even Graduation Year Electives: Hispanic Culinary Culture & Applied Language Skills
10th Grade Course Offerings
- AP Spanish 5
- Bible 2 – SI (in place of Bible 2)
- One Spanish Immersion elective will be offered per semester rotating on a yearly basis:
- Odd Graduation Year Electives: Community Connections & Hispanic Visual & Performing Arts
- Even Graduation Year Electives: Hispanic Culinary Culture & Applied Language Skills
11th Grade Course Offerings
- Spanish Immersion Dual Enrollment
- Civics – SI (in place of Civics)
- Hispanic Lit – SI (Offered semester 1, in place of 1 semester of English course)
- Communications – SI (Offered semester 2, in place of 1 semester of English course)
- One Spanish Immersion elective will be offered per semester rotating on a yearly basis:
- Odd Graduation Year Electives: Community Connections & Hispanic Visual & Performing Arts
- Even Graduation Year Electives: Hispanic Culinary Culture & Applied Language Skills
12th Grade Course Offerings
- Spanish Immersion Dual Enrollment
- Global Research – SI (in place of Global Research)
- Senior Internship – SI
- Hispanic Lit – SI (Offered semester 1, in place of 1 semester of English course)
- Communications – SI (Offered semester 2, in place of 1 semester of English course)
- One Spanish Immersion elective will be offered per semester rotating on a yearly basis:
- Odd Graduation Year Electives: Community Connections & Hispanic Visual & Performing Arts
- Even Graduation Year Electives: Hispanic Culinary Culture & Applied Language Skills
Spanish Immersion FAQ
Why is Spanish a good choice for an immersion language?
In the United States 20.5%, or almost 1 in 5 persons is Hispanic. Between 2003 and 2023, the Hispanic workforce increased by 69%, accounting for about two-thirds of the net labor force increase during that period. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world. Spanish is a “gateway” language that allows students to learn the syntax and and orthography of a LaEn-based or Romance language, thus fostering metalinguistic awareness and allowing students to more easily master academic vocabulary in English, of which many have latin origins–for example, the Spanish word mal = evil/bad — >malicious, malign, malevolent (Nagy & Townsend, 2012).
Who can enroll?
- Any student may enroll in the program through first grade
- From 2nd grade on a student must transfer in from another Spanish Immersion program
- Students can join in High school if they have completed a K-8 Spanish Immersion Program
- Native and heritage speakers may join at any point after completion of grade level language assessment
How can I support my young children at home if I don’t speak the target or immersion language?
The single most important activity families of immersion students can do to aid in their children’s education is reading aloud in English (or the primary home language). This does NOT mean you need to teach your children to read. As long as families commit to reading to their children in English (or home language) and exposing them to the language in a variety of social settings, they can trust the dual language immersion model to support their children’s education.
What do I need to understand about my children’s dual language immersion experience?
Just as toddlers learning their native language, immersion students pass through “stages,” as they acquire their second language. As children connect learning in an academic environment with the immersion language, they are able to comprehend and gradually produce more of their ideas and thoughts in not only the target language, but also their primary language.
Children learning another language in an immersion program intuitively understand that language is the means through which they communicate with real people in real-life situations. Immersion students typically will not “perform” on cue when asked by family members to “say something” in Spanish.
Many families of immersion students share concerns about their children never using their second language in the home or when prompted, only to be amazed when hearing their children revert to the target language upon encountering a native Spanish-speaker in the community.
Remember, your children “switch” languages almost automatically, depending on their environment (classroom or real-life context) and with whom they are speaking.
In the initial stages of language acquisition, immersion students may not be able to share what they learned in school. In preschool through a large portion of second grade, most immersion students are unable to directly translate or interpret concepts learned in school for their parents in the non-immersion language. Because immersion students are learning content and their second language simultaneously in an interactive academic and social setting, they do not learn direct translations as in some more traditional world language instructional settings. As students cognitively develop, however, they are more and more able to address new concepts in either language.
How do we get involved in our local community?
We believe that it is important for students to have authentic language experience, and we have access to an amazing Hispanic community locally. As part of our program, students are connected with individuals and professionals in our local community to give students the opportunity to learn from those in our greater community, all while using their second language. (Spanish speaking churches and organizations, authentic restaurants and grocery stores, bakeries and panadarias, etc.) In addition, they have the opportunity to participate in an internship as a senior that allows them to use their Spanish in professional settings.
What is the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy and can my child receive it?
Students who place intermediate high or higher on a standardized proficiency test and take a sufficient number of courses in the target language qualify for the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. Holland Christian facilitates AAPPL and AP language testing, both of which are approved proficiency tests. We assist seniors in the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy application process.
What can we expect from our Immersion graduates?
- Students will be both bilingual and biliterate, performing on or above grade level in both languages.
- Students will achieve a high level of proficiency (advanced mid to advanced high) by their senior year.
- Students will demonstrate positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors, and cultural competency.
- Students will be equipped with the skills necessary to transform the world for Jesus Christ in their second language.
Have Questions?
We look forward to meeting you and your family and introducing you to the fresh, creative, personalized education at Holland Christian! We are here to help! Get in touch using the contact form linked below or call us at 616.820.2805.
