WHAT EFFECT DOES IMMERSION HAVE ON DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH LITERACY AND SUBJECT MATTER MASTERY?
Considerable research over several decades confirms that literacy skills developed in the target language transfer to English. Studies comparing first language development in immersion and non-immersion students consistently show that students in early immersion programs perform as well as, or better than, their non-immersion peers on tests of English verbal and mathematical skills. Until English language arts are introduced, total immersion students usually experience a “lag” in English spelling, punctuation, and other language mechanics, though curiously they tend to do well on measures of English reading comprehension. This lag disappears within a year or so following introduction of English into the program, and immersion students then perform as well as or better than their non-immersion peers on tests, including English language arts and reading. In the long run, learning a second language strengthens rather than weakens students’ first language. 4. IS ANY ENGLISH USED IN THE IMM
