Normandale elementary: Our School – Normandale Elementary School

French Immersion – Normandale Elementary School

French Immersion is a districtwide option that immerses students in a second language (French) while they learn mathematics, science, reading, writing and other curricular areas. The program has four primary goals for students:
 

1. Communicate in the second language

2. Acquire the same English language arts skills as students in English-only programs

3. Master subject content areas

4. Acquire a greater understanding, knowledge and appreciation of other cultures

Note: Because of the advancing skill level, entrance is most successful in kindergarten.

Students at Normandale are also part of a larger, international community. Over the years our staff has represented many French-speaking cultures – France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Senegal – and we are reminded that people all over the world share our adopted language. Normandale parents offer to their children the gift of a second language, and those children hold a special place in our increasingly international world.

About Immersion Schooling

• What is language immersion?

• Why is immersion an effective second language model?

• What are the effects of immersion education?

• Are there other immersion programs in the U.S.?

• Where can I get more information about immersion education?

Language immersion is an approach to second language instruction in which the usual curricular activities are conducted in a second language. This means that the new language is the medium of instruction as well as the object of instruction.

Immersion students acquire the necessary language skills to understand and communicate about the subject matter set out in the district-wide program of instruction. They follow the same curricula, and in some instances, use the same materials (translated into the target language) as those used in the non-immersion schools of their district.

A great deal of research has centered on second language acquisition in various school settings. Over the past thirty years, due in large part to the success of immersion programs, there has been a shift away from teaching language in isolation and toward integrating language and content.

• Language is acquired most effectively when it is learned in a meaningful social context. For young learners, the immersion setting offers them the opportunity to communicate with their peers not only about academic subjects, but about their feelings and attitudes as well.
• Important and interesting content provides a motivating context for learning the new language. Young children are eager to learn about insects or planets or pioneer days, and language learning becomes a natural part of those learning experiences.
• First language acquisition, cognition and social awareness go hand in hand in young children. By integrating language and content, second language learning, too, becomes an integral part of a child’s social and cognitive development.

Language acquisition takes time. An immersion classroom provides many hours of exposure to the language and many different opportunities for listening, speaking, reading and writing in the second language

A growing body of research on immersion education has shown that immersion students consistently meet or exceed academic expectations in the following areas:

• Second language skills: Immersion students by far outperform students in traditional foreign language classes. They are functionally proficient in the immersion language and are able to communicate according to their age and grade level.
• English language skills: In the early years of English instruction, there may be a lag in English reading and writing skills. The gap begins to close once English instruction has begun, and by the end of elementary school, immersion students do as well or better than students in English-only classes.
• Content areas: Immersion students achieve in academic areas as well as students in English-only programs.
• Cultural sensitivity: Immersion students are more aware of and show positive attitudes towards other cultures.

According to the most recent survey by the Center for Applied Linguistics, there are 448 immersion programs in 22 different languages. In Minnesota alone, there are some 50 elementary and secondary programs in which students are learning content curriculum within an immersion setting, making us second in the nation for immersion education!

The Minnesota Advocates for Immersion Network (MAIN) and the American Council on Immersion Education (ACIE) web sites are excellent resources for parents considering immersion education for their child. You will also find these articles interesting:

• Research Notes: Language Learning and the Developing Brain
• Top Ten Most Consistent Findings from Research on Foreign Language Immersion

Teacher Interns

French Immersion FAQ

French Interns

Each winter, families are recruited to host French Interns for the next school year. Hosting French Interns plays an integral role in the success of our Edina French Immersion program. Without French Interns, we could not sustain our position as the top immersion program in the state.  

To continue this momentum, we aim to meet our ideal allocation of Interns across all schools: here at Normandale, along with supporting the Extended French program at Valley View and Edina High School.

Please consider hosting and/or spreading the word about this opportunity to neighbors, family and friends. To find out more about the French Intern program and how you can host, visit the Intern Program page hosted by the Normandale PTO.

Contact Us – Normandale Elementary School

Harriet Abdo

Titles:
Kindergarten ND

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4145

Ann Abel

Titles:
Super Sub Teacher ND

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4100

Anne Anderson

Titles:
Secretary Principal ND

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4104

Madeline Anderson

Titles:
CES Recreation Leader

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4896

Tammy Aronov

Titles:
Food Service Kitchen Manager

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4153

Lucas Bates

Titles:
CES Program Supervisor

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4896

Kelly Bellingham

Titles:
CES Recreation Leader, Spec Ed Para DEVD EE

Locations:
Normandale Directory, Early Learning Center Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-3908

Brenda Berckenhoff

Titles:
Special Ed Teacher SLD ND, Success Center Tchr

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4248

Anders Bergren

Titles:
CES Recreation Leader

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4896

Jack Bergren

Titles:
CES Recreation Leader

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4896

Cesley Bergsten

Titles:
School Nurse ND

Locations:
Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4166

Heather Bienapfl

Titles:
Due Process Specialist ND, Due Process Specialist Span Imm CS

Locations:
Countryside Directory, Normandale Directory

Phone Numbers:
School:

952-848-4144

A0, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2

The level of English proficiency is determined depending on how well a person is able to understand spoken language, read texts of varying complexity and understand what they read, compose a complete thought on their own, using all the possibilities of your vocabulary.

By itself, the level of knowledge of English grammar and an extensive vocabulary does not always indicate that a person has a good command of it. The most accurate level of English can only be determined by taking into account how a person understands foreign speech by ear, how quickly he is able to capture the information he hears, how well he knows how to follow the rules of pronunciation.

Therefore, often tests that do not include personal communication between the client and a competent specialist cannot provide the full picture, their results are only approximate.

Differences between levels of English

The main differences between people who speak English at different levels are the amount of their knowledge, speech skills and vocabulary. The study of this subject is carried out at six different levels, which are determined by preliminary testing of students. These levels and a brief description of the knowledge and skills that a person who owns it should have are given in the table.

English levels:

• А1 (Beginner) – Basic communication skills. A person knows how to use everyday phrases and expressions. Can read and understand short inscriptions. Can formulate simple questions and understands the answers to them, if the interlocutor expresses his thoughts clearly and slowly, without complex grammatical and speech turns. A person can use in his speech and understand no more than 1500 words.
• A2 (Elementary) – A person can talk on simple topics (family, work, study, friends, shopping). In everyday situations from everyday life, a person is able to maintain a simple dialogue. Reading and understanding short letters is easy. Owns 1500-2000 words.
• В1 (Intermediate) – This is the average level at which a person can watch films without dubbing, understanding most of the dialogue. Can carry on a conversation with native speakers, discussing everyday situations and events. Able to express his opinions, formulate his own opinion on complex topics, read and understand a short instruction, write a short letter or essay on some topics. Can use 2750-3250 words.
• В2 (Upper Intermediate) – English above average. A person who owns it can keep up a conversation on an abstract topic or related to his professional activities. Can speak with a native speaker without any difficulty. Able to understand various TV programs on English-language channels. Can write an essay or letter on an unfamiliar topic. Owns 3250-4750 words.
• С1 (Advanced) – A person with this level can easily communicate on any topic with a native speaker. Freely explains his thoughts, without thinking about the choice of words. Easily understands films, even if the dialogue uses slang and fixed speech patterns. Writes structured, detailed and coherent texts on any topic, including scientific, of any length. Can participate in active correspondence on any topic. Able to correctly use 3750-4500 words.
• С2 (Proficiency) – Proficiency in the language. Instantly understands any information by ear and while reading. Able to easily summarize and summarize learned information. Able to immediately form and express personal judgments on a matter just heard. Distinguishes different shades of the meaning of similar phrases. Can comfortably use in his speech and understand more than 4500 words.

Determining the level of language proficiency based on the results of international tests

The most objective way to assess your English is to take one of the international tests. Based on its results, you can get a certificate suitable for presentation abroad to confirm your language level. At the same time, the choice of the type of exam that you need to take depends on which country you need a certificate for. English proficiency levels correspond to the results of international exams, as in the table.

9009 900LAUp to 636

Language level	Results TOEFL PBT (Reported personally)	results TOEFL IBT (Reported online)	IELTS
A0	to 310		1
A1	to 433	to 433 -2. 5
A2	to 486	Higher 39	3-3.5
B1	to 566	4-5
above 86	5.5-6.5
C1	to 677	above 109	7-8
			8.5-9	22 English The main difference between the levels of English proficiency lies, first of all, not in knowledge, but in practical communication skills, the use of various turns to formulate the same thought, understanding English speech by ear. So, levels A1-A2 are the basic skills to understand and communicate in English. To achieve them, it is necessary to hone communication skills on simple everyday topics, talk about yourself, your life, your own tastes and preferences, maintain a simple dialogue, discuss ongoing everyday situations, understand what you read if the text covers relatively simple topics. Communication with a native speaker at these levels of proficiency will be quite difficult if the interlocutor does not try to speak slowly and pronounce words clearly. To improve understanding of English speech at this level, it will be useful to watch films or programs with subtitles in English. This will also allow you to expand your vocabulary, get acquainted with some idioms. Levels B1-B2 indicate an average language proficiency. When a person can have conversations with native speakers, for example, while traveling, discussing traffic situations, asking for directions, clarifying some everyday information or on an abstract topic. So, people who speak the language at these levels will not find it difficult to communicate with a hotel receptionist, waiters in a restaurant, shop assistants while in an English-speaking country. He will also be able to speak completely fluently with a native speaker on familiar topics, for example, related to his profession. Unfamiliar topics may cause little difficulty in understanding the speaker, but it will still be possible to maintain a conversation with him if the interlocutor gives explanations to rare unfamiliar words and idioms. With this level of language proficiency, it is already possible to pass an interview for a job or study in English. Levels C1-C2 is language proficiency at an advanced level, at or near perfection. Having reached these levels of English, you can easily communicate with native speakers on absolutely any topic, freely use it in work or scientific activities. Understanding reaches a level at which neither idioms nor slang words cause any difficulty. You do not need to think about the choice of words when expressing your own thoughts. A person can easily communicate with others in an English-speaking country during a visit or permanent residence, while there is no language barrier. For those who have reached this level of English proficiency, it will not be difficult to pass a language test for citizenship in an English-speaking country. How can I find out my level of English? In order to improve English language proficiency, learning success and developing the necessary skills, it is necessary to first make a plan based on what skills the person already has. You can determine your level of English by one of several tests, which include different types of tasks and test for different skills. You can take the tests for free at the link https://www.efset.org/en/free-english-test/. But the most objective assessment of the level of language proficiency will be if it includes the oral part of communication with the examiner. What level of English should be indicated in the resume? If knowledge of English is not required for the job you are interested in, then this item can be omitted, especially if you have nothing to brag about, but for some positions this criterion may be one of the key criteria in selecting a candidate. The most important rule is not to embellish reality, as you will still be asked to take an interview in English, where the recruiter can easily understand how well you communicate in English. If the information indicated in the resume does not correspond to reality, then the truth will be revealed very soon, and you will uselessly waste the employer’s time and your own. To indicate your level of English, it is better to choose one of the wordings: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Fluent. They will correspond to levels A1-A2, B1-B2, C1 and C2. But these designations are not required. An indication of the results of international exams can positively influence the decision of the employer regarding your candidacy, if you have the appropriate certificates. This will emphasize that you have paid enough attention to the development of this skill. More interesting things you can learn on our course “English for adults”. 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