Languages
The study of a second and third language is a required component of the NMIS educational program.
Learning a second language at an early age has the following benefits for children:
- Enriches and enhances a child’s mental development;
- Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening;
- Improves a child’s understanding of his/her native language;
- Gives a child the ability to communicate with people she/he would otherwise not have the chance to know;
- Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
According to second language research, the most effective approach to learning a language is through complete immersion. Students beginning in Kindergarten at NMIS engage in classroom instruction that is delivered 90 percent of the time in Spanish. Since Spanish is the target language for native English speakers, the instructional day must maximize time in target language. As students acquire Spanish language skills, more time is allocated to English. By the end of fifth grade, 50-55 percent of instruction will be in English.
The formal study of the third language, Arabic, begins at fourth grade. By this time, students have reached sufficient command of English and Spanish skills to allow for the introduction of Arabic. No more than 5-10 percent of the regular school day is allocated to the acquisition of Arabic language skills. The goal is for students to acquire Arabic language skills that emphasize conversation.
Language immersion is at the heart of the NMIS program.
Starting our program in kindergarten is ideal to increase the likelihood of becoming multilingual. The goal is to replicate the language learning process we all underwent as we learned our first language as toddlers.
Much language research suggests that the “ideal” time to learn a second language peaks about age 5-6, while other research says students 8-9 years of age may still succeed in an immersion program. However, all children learning a second language early in life have a much higher probability to speak that language with a native-like accent. In fact, by age 7, the ability to make certain phonemes of a language starts to diminish in our brains and continues to do so as we age. For this reason, we encourage registration in our program only in kindergarten and early first grade.
Instructional time in each language
| Grade Level | Percent of Instruction in English | Percent of Instruction in Spanish | Percent of Instruction in Arabic |
| Kindergarten and First Grades | 10-20% | 80-90% | 0 |
| Second Grade | 25-35% | 65-75% | 0 |
| Third Grade | 40-50% | 50-60% | 0 |
| Fourth and Fifth Grades | 40-50% | 50-55% | 5-10% |
| Sixth and up | 50-60% | 30-40% | 5-10% |
7215 Montgomery Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 503-7670
