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Dual-Language Immersion Program (DLI)

Dos Caminos School has transitioned to a two-way Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Model. The program began with Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten in the 2023-2024 school year. Each year, an additional grade level will be added following this cohort with school-wide implementation in the 2028-2029 school year. The model selected is 50% daily instruction in English and 50% daily instruction in Spanish.

The goal of the DCS Dual Language program is for students to develop high levels of language proficiency and literacy in English and Spanish languages, demonstrate mastery of California Content Standards, and develop an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures. Students will have a foundation to earn the California Seal of Biliteracy to accompany their high school diploma.

The three pillars of the Dos Caminos Dual Language Immersion Program are:

  • Bilingualism and biliteracy: Students develop high levels of linguistic proficiency in both languages - English and Spanish.
  • Academic achievement: Students achieve high levels of academic proficiency in both languages.
  • Sociocultural competence: Students develop an understanding and appreciation of multiple cultures, including recognizing and valuing diversity, fostering a positive identity, and developing the skills to navigate different cultural contexts.

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Model: Designed to develop bilingualism and bi-literacy in English and Spanish.  The major goals of the dual language immersion model are for students to develop full proficiency in both languages, including literacy, cross-cultural understanding, and proficiency in academic achievement at or above grade level.

Two-way DLI model:  When two, or more, groups of students are learning the two languages, that program is considered a two-way dual language program. Not all students have the same first language (L1). Some will have English as their L1 while others will have the partner language - Spanish.  In a two-way dual language program, students - whose L1 is English - learn the partner language as L2.  Students whose home or heritage language is L1 learn English as L2.  In this case, both will learn L1 and L2, becoming bilingual and bi-literate.  Since each group is a native speaker of their L1, they serve as a natural language model of a proficient speaker in that language.  


50/50 Model:  Dos Caminos School is a 50-50 model each day – 50% instruction in English and 50% instruction in Spanish. In this configuration, the proportion of instruction in each language is equal from the beginning of a student’s school career in kindergarten and maintained at this level in the two languages at all subsequent grade levels.