International Spanish Language Academy

Our Program

International Spanish Language Academy is a public school choice for students in grades K-6 living in Minnesota. Located within the boundaries of the Hopkins school district, ISLA opened its doors in the fall of 2007.   Combining Spanish immersion and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, we offer a challenging elementary program for all learners.

Something unique about ISLA is the intense amount of Spanish instruction that occurs daily.  The school was founded by Spanish immersion teachers with more than 75 combined years of immersion experience.  Through this experience, the founders came to know that more Spanish instruction results in a more native-like accent, a greater vocabulary, and more proficient speakers of Spanish.  Research supports this philosophy as well.  The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) at the University of Minnesota defines full immersion programs as those containing “clear and sustained separation of languages during instructional time” and going on to say “exposure to the immersion language takes place primarily in the classroom and school”.  It is critical not to dismiss the importance of the school immersion experience.  The target language (Spanish) must extend beyond the classroom.

At ISLA, students are completely surrounded by the Spanish language.  All specialist classes are conducted in Spanish, and all Educational Assistants are bilingual.  In addition to classroom instruction in Spanish, students have a native Spanish-speaking teacher for gym and music.  They receive art instruction in Spanish and all technology instruction is in Spanish.  Vocabulary building in the target language occurs in all of these areas.  At ISLA the halls are filled with Spanish only, the lunch room personnel are Spanish-speaking and the playground supervisors are interacting with students in Spanish.  This is a true full immersion experience for children.  Spanish immersion substitute teachers who have worked at ISLA on occasion have commented on the level of fluency ISLA students have obtained in a relatively short amount of time, as well as the native-like accent of ISLA students.

For more information on immersion education, continue your research at the Center for Advanced  Research on Language Acquisition.  http://www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/FAQs.html
For  more information about what parents should know about immersion programs go to http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0304fortune.html

Another important characteristic of ISLA is the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP).  Having an international focus, the PYP is a perfect match with the Spanish delivery of curriculum.  International Baccalaureate offers a challenging inquiry-based methodology, thus teaching students to ask questions and seek answers.  All teachers have been trained by international experts in the field of International Baccalaureate.  Much staff development at ISLA is dedicated to the PYP and immersion teaching.  Come see us to learn more about our program!