When students are schooled through a second language, they acquire not only the language but also the content without needing to allocate additional instructional time for the specific teaching of a second language at the expense of other subject areas. Furthermore:

• Immersion programs are the most effective type of second language programs currently available in U.S. schools.
• Immersion students develop greater cognitive flexibility and better nonverbal problem-solving abilities.
• Immersion learning is NOT a detriment to English-language learning.
• Immersion students regularly test at or above their non-immersion peers on standardized tests.
• Learning a second language has a measurable positive effect on children's intellectual growth.
• Learning a second language enhances a child's mental development.
• Learning a second language develops flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• Immersion learning improves a child's understanding of his/her native language.
• Learning a second language gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know.
• Learning a second language opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Learning a second language provides a student a head start in language requirements for college.
• Multilinguality is key to opening doors to many of the careers in the global community.

References:

Genesee,1987, 2004; 2007; Lambert & Tucker, 1972; Swain & Lapkin, 1982

Caldas & Boudreaux, 1999; Holobow, Genesee & Lamber, 1991

Curtain & Dahlberg, 2004

Bruck, et al., 1976

Bamford & Mizokawa, 1990

Bialystok, 2001; Cenoz & Genesee, 1998; Peal & Lambert, 1962

Garcia & Otheguy, 1994; Hallwell, 1999

Department of Defense, 2005

Fantino, A., 2003 ACTFL presentation

Pesola, 1991

Mandarin Immersion Parents Council, 2010, and Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, 2010

Yinghua Academy, 2010