Secondary World Languages 7th - 12th Grade

Gilbert Public Schools provides students with multiple opportunities to learn a new language by the time they graduate high school. We offer American Sign Language, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish from level I to AP to IB. We offer Spanish dual language immersion at Gilbert Elementary School and Gilbert Accelerated Middle School. Our students have the opportunity to earn college credits by taking dual enrollment courses and/or passing the AP or IB assessments. In addition, students attending Gilbert High School can earn an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

World Languages are taught through the guidance of the Arizona State World and Native Language Standards, as well as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Our curriculum aims to focus on proficiency based learning of the language in order for students to be able to listen, speak, read and write effectively in the real world in the language. We want our students to communicate in the language they learn. Students engage in activities such as role-playing, discussions, and interactive tasks to practice using the language in meaningful contexts. Multiple methods of instruction are adapted and combined to suit the needs of language learners, as we know that effective language teaching involves a combination of approaches that provide opportunities for meaningful practice, exposure to authentic language use, and scaffolded support for skill development.

In general, competitive colleges and universities require at least two years of foreign language in high school. These classes should be in the same language, as colleges prefer to see proficiency in one language. When a college recommends “two or more” years of a language, they are merely communicating that study beyond two years would strengthen an application. GPS has upper level course options for students to choose from in all languages.

Arizona Department of Education Diploma Seal of Biliteracy

Gilbert Public Schools proudly awards the Arizona Seal of Biliteracy to all students who complete all requirements within their high school years. The program recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language at the time of graduation. Proficiency is determined by completion of a set of approved assessments. The seal is noted on the student’s transcript and provided for placement on the diploma. Requirements include GPA in specific coursework, expected achievement level on one of a specified subset of ELA assessments, and demonstration of proficiency on a specified second language assessment. For more information, you can visit our GPS Diploma Seals page or the ADE Seal of Biliteracy website.

Why Learn a New Language?

In Elementary School

Young people are most open to learning about new languages and cultures
Early language study leads to long sequence programs and proficiency
Starting early facilitates addition of more languages
Language study helps children develop cognitive skills

In Junior High School

Language learning leads to greater understanding of other cultures
Increasing language proficiency opens more opportunities in secondary study
Language study enhances problem-solving and critical thinking skills
The skills required in learning a language transfer to other academic subjects and improved performance in those subjects

In High School

Developing proficiency in other languages broadens career options
Skills in languages other than English make those not bound for postsecondary study more attractive employment candidates in a wide range of careers where communicating with diverse customers is necessary
Good language achievement enhances a student's college prospects and opens paths for a wider range of college-level fields of study

In College

Affects students’ overall intellectual growth and mental development
Students have increased problem-solving skills
Brains of bilingual people are more developed in areas that organize and process speech.

In the Workforce

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Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

The GPS Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program provides students the advantage of learning their grade-level content in two languages: English and Spanish. The focus of the program is to develop culturally responsive, active learners who are intellectually challenged and engaged.

What is Dual Language Immersion (DLI)?

The GPS DLI program is a bilingual education model that uses English and Spanish to deliver academic content. Students develop their literacy skills in these two languages. The goal is that students become bilingual and biliterate and attain high levels of academic achievement. The DLI program generally begins in kindergarten and rolls up one grade level per year.

What are the benefits of a DLI program?

Increase cognitive flexibility that results in higher-order thinking, problem-solving abilities, multitasking, creativity and focusing skills.
Enriches and enhances a child’s mental development.
Improves a child’s understanding of his/her native language.
Students graduate their programs being bilingual, literate in two languages.
Develop intercultural competence; they learn to use language appropriately in different cultural contexts.
Students become adept at accepting and appreciating others’ differences.
Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college.
Increases job opportunities in many careers.

Our Dual Language Philosophy

Dual language at GPS will prepare students for full participation in the global economy. Using the research-based dual language instructional model, participating students develop proficiency in two languages while learning grade-level academic content.

Which Schools have DLI?

Gilbert Elementary School and Gilbert Accelerated Middle School both offer DLI at this time.

What is the DLI model that is used?

At the elementary level, K-6 implements a 50-50 model for instruction. Students spend 50% of their day immersed in English and 50% of their day immersed in Spanish. Instruction is delivered in only one language at a time without translation. Literacy and academic content are taught daily in English and Spanish. In K-1, the language of instruction that each student begins his or her day rotates each day. The students will begin their day with the same teacher they ended the previous day.

In the secondary level, grades 7-8 implement a 70-30 model for instruction. Instruction is delivered in only one language at a time without translation. Literacy and academic content are taught daily, typically 70% of the day in English and 30% of the day in Spanish.

How are students assessed to measure Spanish proficiency?

All students participate in District and State assessments according to the Gilbert Public Schools assessment calendar. In addition, students enrolled in Dual Language program in grades 3 thru 5 participate in the Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages AAPPL to measure students’ language proficiency levels in Spanish.

What is the enrollment process?

The Dual Language program accepts all students who apply to the program regardless of residency. K-6 open enrollment information for Gilbert Elementary is available by calling Michelle Martinez at 480-892-8624 or michelle.martinez@gilbertschools.net.

If you are interested in enrolling in Gilbert Accelerated Middle School, please complete this registration interest form and schedule a tour.

Is there a fee to enroll my child?

The Gilbert Public Schools Dual Language program is free.

Are there gifted/resource services available?

Yes, services are provided according to Gilbert Public School policies.

Program Benefits

Enhanced Cognitive Skills: By being immersed in two languages throughout the academic school day, dual language students develop 3-4 strong modalities (learning styles), similar to gifted students. Dual language students develop cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention control, better memory, and superior problem-solving skills as well as an enhanced understanding of their primary language.
Strong Second Language Skills: Dual language students graduate their programs being bilingual, bi-literate in two languages.
Global Economy Participation: This program model is the only one that allows for students to reach levels of language proficiency needed for full participation in the global economy.
Enhanced Cultural Sensitivity: Culture and language are interrelated. Therefore, students participating in the dual language program develop intercultural competence, meaning they learn to use language appropriately in different cultural contexts. Students become adept at accepting and becoming comfortable with others' differences.

DLI Program Resources

Dual-Language Immersion Programs Raise Student Achievement in English
The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain