Spanish DLI

“Dual Language Immersion (DLI) brings English Language Learners and native English speakers together in a classroom where they learn side by side. Classes are taught in both Spanish and English. In a DLI classroom, your student develops their first language while learning communication and literacy skills in a second language.”

Elementary schools that offer programs: 

• Allis Elementary School: Kindergarten- 5th grade

• Chávez Elementary: Kindergarten - 5th grade

• Falk Elementary School: Kindergarten - 4th grade

• Henderson Elementary: Kindergarten - 5th grade

• Leopold Elementary: Kindergarten - 5th grade

• Lincoln Elementary: 3rd - 5th grade

• Midvale Elementary: Kindergarten - 2nd grade

• Nuestro Mundo Community School: Kindergarten - 5th grade (Charter School)

• Sandburg Elementary: Kindergarten - 5th grade

• Schenk Elementary: Kindergarten - 5th grade

• Thoreau: ELL students can be transported to DLI programs if desired

Middle schools that offer programs:

• Cherokee Middle: 6th - 8th grade

• Jefferson Middle 6th - 8th grade

• Sennett Middle: 6th - 8th grade

• Sherman Middle: 6th - 8th grade

High schools that offer programs:

• La Follette High: 9th - 12th grade

• East High: 9th - 12th grade

• West High: 9th  -  12th grade

• Memorial High: 9th Grade - 11th grade

See the website for more.

Hmong Bilingual

“In a Hmong bilingual program, native Hmong speakers and native English speakers who have Hmong spoken in their home maintain and develop their first language while acquiring native-like communication and literacy skills in a second language. Academic content is taught and assessed in both languages, Hmong and English, over an extended period of time.”

This program is offered at Lake View Elementary.

MMSD Bilingual Hmong-English Program FAQs

See the website for more.

Spanish Developmental Bilingual

“The main objective of our bilingual education program is to ensure that Spanish-speaking English Language Learners receive age-appropriate academic skills and knowledge as they acquire English. Teaching academic content to Spanish-speaking English Language Learners in their primary language gives them access to the same curriculum as students in the general education classroom. In addition, it provides them with the knowledge and experience that will facilitate their acquisition of English. Furthermore, teaching literacy skills in the students’ primary language will help facilitate literacy skills in English.

The DBE program is offered at Hawthorne and Stephens Elementary from kindergarten to 5th grade.”

See the website for more.

Facilitated Language Study

Facilitated Language Study is a program offered by just three schools in the state, two of which are located in Madison (East and West HS). This opportunity allows students to still study less-commonly-taught languages, even if there are not enough students interested in studying a particular language to hire a dedicated teacher. Through this program, students are paired with tutors, and the high school language teachers provide them with materials and general language acquisition guidance. At West, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Ho Chunk (pending) are offered, for example.

To learn more about facilitated language study, see interviews with Kristin Dalby (Language Institute) and Faith Hoenecke (West HS), as well as this overview of the program.

Spanish/Hmong for Native Speakers

Also commonly referred to as a heritage language class, Madison East HS offers Spanish and Southeast Asian Language (Hmong) for Native Speakers. These courses are geared specifically towards students who may have grown up surrounded by family members who speak Spanish/Hmong, for example, but never had the opportunity to develop literacy and other academic skills in the language. These courses are strongly rooted in identity exploration and culture.

Seal of Biliteracy/Global Scholars

“The Madison Metropolitan School District High School Seal of Biliteracy certifies student achievement of a high level of language proficiency in English and one, or more, additional languages. Students attaining this distinction have met, or exceeded, the following criteria:

• Completion of all state and district requirements for high school graduation

• Proficient on State and District reading assessments

• English Language Arts coursework GPA 2.5

• ACCESS composite score of 4.0 (ELLs only)

• Intermediate High level World Language proficiency (Proficiency may vary by language, skill domain, program model and period of study)

• Completion of the socio-cultural component

See interview with Faith Hoenecke (West HS) for more on these programs as well as the program page.

STARTALK Korean

“The University of Wisconsin-Madison STARTALK Korean Language & Culture Academy (KLCA) is a FREE, four-week, non-credit, non-residential program for high school students interested in exploring Korean language and culture. Through engaging, interactive learning activities, students will learn to communicate in Korean while exploring Korean cultural practices and traditions.”

To learn more about this program, see interviews with Kristin Dalby (Language Institute) and Jaerin Ahn (UW Korean), as well as this overview of the program.

Language Houses

Students can choose to live among language learning/speaking peers within the International Learning Community residential program. Languages offered include “German, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, Nordic (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish), or Chinese … A graduate student, who is a native speaker of the language, works with residents of the floor to assist with language skills and programming. Residents in language houses expand their listening, speaking and writing skills during informal weekly dinners, attending tutoring hours, and attending programs both on campus and in the residence hall.”

See the website for more.

Russian Flagship Program

“The University of Wisconsin-Madison Russian Flagship Program is a federally funded program that provides opportunities for undergraduate students of any major to reach a professional level of competence in Russian by graduation. The program not only strives to increase students’ Russian language proficiency and intercultural competencies, but also links students’ intensive language study with their other academic interests and professional aspirations. The program welcomes applications from undergraduates of all majors and at any level of prior experience in Russian.”

See the website for more.

Creando Languages

“Creando is an award winning educational program for children in the Madison, WI area based on the foundation of a bilingual and Spanish immersion curriculum founded in 2013. Our fun and hands-on five senses learning approach will transport your child to a magical language exploration. Creando believes that every child will benefit cognitively, socially and culturally by learning a second language. In addition to improving their own cognitive development and learning abilities across many areas, children who learn a second language will become better global citizens through cultural awareness and the ability to communicate with more people around the world.”

See the website for more.

Midrasha Hebrew High School

“The Midrasha Hebrew High School, founded in 1975, is a partnership between Beth Israel Center, Congregation Shaarei Shamayim, Temple Beth El, and Jewish Federation of Madison. The purpose of Midrasha is to provide students with experiences and educational opportunities that will strengthen their Jewish identity and encourage and stimulate their desire to learn about their heritage. Midrasha offers classes in Hebrew and Jewish Studies, and in elective subjects for students in grades 8 through 12, who need not be affiliated with a synagogue to enroll.”

See the website for more.

German School of Madison

“The German School of Madison — Deutsche Schule Madison is a parent-founded non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) located in Madison, Wisconsin. We offer affordable, high-quality German language classes for young people with and without prior knowledge of German, as well as adults. Our teachers are native or near-native speakers, with advanced degrees and extensive teaching experience. We also organize preschool classes for young people and family-friendly cultural events for German-speaking families in the Madison area.”

See the website for more.

Madison Chinese Language School

“The Madison Chinese Language School (MCLS) is a non-profit organization with its main objectives of teaching Chinese language, promoting Chinese culture and providing these related services to the general public. MCLS was formally organized in January 1997, and is a current member of the Chinese School Association in the United States (CSAUS).

We offer a variety of classes for both children and adults. Among them are reading, writing and conversation of the Chinese language, Chinese culture and history, enrichment mathematics, and drawing.”

See the website for more.

Click here to learn more about teaching opportunities at this school and other Chinese language schools in Madison.

Madison Russian School

“The Madison Russian School is a nonprofit heritage language school that was established in 2003 by a group of dedicated teachers. Every year the Russian School welcomes new students and offers new classes.

Our mission: To teach and cultivate Russian language and traditions in the Madison area by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.”

See the website for more.

Madinah Academy of Madison

“The Madinah Academy of Madison recognizes the importance of passing down the teachings of Islam to the coming generation and cultivating a love for the Qur’an in our Muslim youth from an early age. Because of this, we teach every student who attends our school the language of the Qur’an from learning the Arabic alphabet to being able to hold fluent conversations in Arabic. The Arabic program grows in tandem with the Qur’an program as students are able to understand the deeper meaning of the text as their Arabic fluency increases. ”

See the website for more.