getting a global
perspective THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ARIZONA, A LANGUAGE IMMERSION SCHOOL, HELPS STUDENTS BECOME BETTER INDIVIDUALS WITHIN TODAY’S LARGER GLOBAL SOCIETY ARTICLE SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ARIZONA (ISA), LOCATED
“The language gets more sophisticated
AT 96TH STREET AND VIA LINDA IN SCOTTSDALE, IS A
beyond the social language and the play-
FRENCH AND SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR KIDS
ground language. They are also getting that
AGES 18 MONTHS THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE. What began 22
academic language. The idea is that when
years ago as a school for French residents working in Scottsdale is
kids leave us in eighth grade they’re pre-
now a fully accredited school that immerses children from a young
pared for high school and they’re fully fluent
age into the French or Spanish language and culture.
in that second language.”
Jason Smith, ISA’s new head of school, recently moved to
But it’s more than language. At ISA,
Scottsdale with his family to take the helm. Smith has extensive
students are not just learning a second lan-
experience in language schools. Before his most recent assignment
guage, they are learning in that language.
in Omaha, Nebraska, he taught overseas in Dubai and Qatar. Children begin at ISA as early as 18 months. Although they don’t go through formal language training at that age, the kids are immersed in either French or Spanish, depending on the parents’ choice.
Smith explains that the program is about developing a global perspective. “We hope they have the skills and competencies in understanding other
“When they start the program at 18 months,” explains Smith, “they
cultures, learning and adapting to other
have a native French or Spanish speaker. The teacher interacts with
cultures, and an appreciation and desire
the students all day in that language.”
to learn more about other cultures. That
As children grow, the school introduces official learning. ISA uses
increases our own understanding and
both BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) and CALP
helps build us as individuals within a large
(Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) language education.
global society.”
This blends social use of language with formal academic training.
The aim, says Smith, is that “you could
Smith explains that kids in the early grades, K-5, have an 80/20 split
drop ISA kids off anywhere in the world.
of foreign language and English.
If it’s not a country they have developed
“Much of the core academic areas are taught in the second lan-
the language in, then they have the skills
guage and they also have a specific literacy block in English,” says
and competencies as a global learner as
Smith. “Art is integrated, music specialists, PE specialists.”
far as understanding other cultures and
Kids in grades 6 to 8 have closer to a 50/50 split between English and the second language. 34
Scottsdale Lifestyle | August 2021
in learning and adapting other cultures to succeed.” ISAZ.org