Spanish immersion builds at Lent

Strong demand brings bilingual classes to the Southeast school and Bridger, too

Thursday, September 28, 2006

CASSADY JEREMIAS

The Oregonian

W hen Taylor Smith, a blue-eyed kindergartner with a long blond ponytail had to use the restroom during class, she asked her teacher in English.

Usually, that works. But Taylor is in Lent Elementary's new Spanish immersion program -- and in the afternoons, it's Spanish only.

Her patient teacher, Veronica Magallanes, told Taylor, "En un momento, por favor." Taylor understood: Not now. So she waited.

When her teacher finally told her it was her turn to use "el bano," Taylor's face went blank. Magallanes pointed toward the door and repeated, "bano." No response. Eager to please, Taylor got up, spun around and sat in an empty chair.

Magallanes took Taylor's hand and touched the bathroom hall pass hanging on the wall. Finally, Taylor realized "bano" must mean bathroom.

It's rough right now. Lent and Bridger elementary schools started Spanish immersion programs this fall, in which native English and native Spanish speakers learn together. Class is in English before lunch, Spanish after.

By midyear, most students will be able to build sentences in either language.

Now, most students are in the "sponge phase," Magallanes said, absorbing a lot with little output. They learn through repetition and mimicry. They also get hints from classmates who are somewhat bilingual -- important because Magallanes won't give hints in English, and the English teacher won't give hints in Spanish.

"We never want them to assume that when they get to a certain level of frustration we will speak their language," Magallanes said, "because they will always wait for that."

Lent, in outer Southeast Portland, and Bridger, just east of Mount Tabor, added programs in response to strong parent demand, bringing immersion options to parts of town that had none.

Established Spanish immersion programs at Atkinson, Beach and Ainsworth elementaries have waiting lists of as many as 100 students. Woodstock elementary's Mandarin Chinese program grew, as did Richmond elementary's Japanese program.

Rigler and Clarendon elementaries launched Spanish immersion programs last year, and Rigler added another kindergarten class this fall.

"In Portland, immersion programs have had huge support from Hispanic families who want their children to learn English but also maintain cultural connections by learning Spanish," Magallanes said. "They've also had great support from English-speaking families who see an opportunity for their children to become bilingual at a young age."

At Bridger, officials recruited students at neighborhood meetings, Principal Tina Daily said, and invited students on Atkinson's waiting list. Four accepted. Both Lent and Bridger accommodated all the students who wanted to enter.

At Lent, most students are neighborhood kids who walk to school, and many have limited English skills. Principal Linda Ralley is enthusiastic about the Spanish program and hopes it grows.

"Children need English skills in our society," Ralley said. "But they were learning English in the regular program. The goal here is to create bilingual people, not just bilingual but biliterate -- to read, write and converse in both languages."

Back in Taylor's classroom, students share an uncommon camaraderie. Students are quick to correct one another's pronunciation if something sounds funny.

But even with just two words in her new vocabulary, Taylor's tongue glides right over the tough Spanish "R" as she shouts "presente" when her name is called for attendance.

Portland News: 503-221-8199; portland@news.oregonian.com



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