What does 'language immersion' involve?

Language immersion involves surrounding English Language Learners (ELLs) with the target language in a way that they are constantly exposed to it in meaningful contexts. This method allows students to learn the language naturally, as they hear, speak, read, and write in the new language throughout their educational experience.

In an immersion setting, the idea is to create an environment where students not only learn the language but also utilize it to engage with the curriculum and interact with peers, thereby enhancing both linguistic and cognitive development. This comprehensive exposure helps facilitate language acquisition much more effectively than methods that may isolate language skills or rely solely on a bilingual approach. By immersing students in the language, they become accustomed to its nuances and complexities through everyday usage and practical application.