Be Bi-lingual! Language Programs for Kids & Adults

Studies show that there are numerous benefits to being bilingual in this increasingly globalized world. Aside from the practical social and employment advantages, being bilingual can improve brain health, fight dementia, enhance creativity in problem solving, and provide more flexible thinking. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, more than one-in-five school age children speak a language other than English at home, with numbers expecting to increase over the coming years. With these statistics and significant benefits in mind, Andover DCS is offering a variety of language programs for kids during this Winter/Spring season, including Spanish, Russian, and American Sign Language.

Karen Soto, Program Director & Instructor for B-Bilingual Spanish Immersion program believes exposure to a second language opens the door for early learners to alter the brain and give a wider range of cognitive possibilities. Ms. Soto conceived, planned, and applied the B-Bilingual program which focuses on building the native language (English) and creating meaningful connections between languages with playful activities. This season with DCS, Ms. Soto will teach children as young as 18 months, along with the help of a parent or guardian, up to children in Grade 5 in three separate sessions separated by ages 18 months-4 years, Grades K-2, and Grades 3-5. Each program will focus on introducing Spanish using activities that allow children to advance their knowledge at their own pace.

Another new course this season with DCS is the American Sign Language 101 course which will be taught by Cathy DaSilva, a teacher at The Children’s Center for Communications/Beverly School for the Deaf. This introductory course will focus on basic vocabulary, fingerspelling, numbers and social phrases that will allow children to communicate in the language most embraced by the Deaf community. Ms. DaSilva will also offer a program for adults beginning January 28th, through DCS, geared at teaching participants basic conversational/social phrases of this very common language used in the USA.

Also running this winter with DCS is the Russian for Beginners course, taught be Elena Ulanovski for kids in grades 3-6. This course will explore the richness of the Russian culture and language by interacting with storytelling, music, exchanging dialogue and performing short plays. Students in this program will also get some live television air-time on local cable channels through collaboration with Andover TV. Russian for Beginners starts on Friday, January 23rd and runs for eight classes.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited so make sure you get your spot today by registering online at AndoverDCS.com or calling 978-623-8274.

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