Comparative Language is a series of two required, one semester, Spanish Immersion classes, which strive to fill the gaps in grammar instruction, iron out fossilized/late acquired language, and build confidence and ownership of students’ bilingualism. These classes follow the immersion model and are taught in Spanish. There are a few "bridging moments" in which the instruction intentionally plans a link between English and Spanish to help the students notice differences and similarities in morphology, syntax, and other structural aspects of language. 

Some goals of the classes:

• Students will begin to see the value in their bilingual abilities and identities. They will understand the cognitive, metalinguistic, and cultural benefits of bilingualism.

• Students will begin to take ownership of their language and strive to utilize the rules that govern it. They will begin noticing previous “fossilized” areas and gaining late acquired language. 

• Students will build background knowledge of the mechanics and conventions of their language which will aid them in their literacy.

• Students will expand their knowledge of the history of Spanish through the study of civilizations and conquistadores. They will examine the power of language through a novel study and different cultural texts.

• Students will expand their knowledge of the geography, culture, and language differences among the Spanish speaking countries. 

• Students will expand BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) through authentic texts, audio, and social situations.

Spanish Immersion at Jenison High School has much more flexibility and choice to accommodate student schedules. In order to maintain language proficiency and continuing growing as a Spanish speaker, it is recommended that immersion students take on 2 hours of immersion courses. To remain part of the immersion program, students should aim to take and pass one Spanish Immersion class during their freshman, sophomore, and junior years.

A 9th grade student who wishes to take on every Spanish Immersion opportunity will be enrolled in Spanish Immersion English Language 9, Spanish Immersion United States History, and a Spanish Language course (placed based on a student's AAPPL test results).

A 10th grade student who wishes to take every Spanish Immersion offering will be enrolled in Spanish Immersion English Language 10, Spanish Immersion World History, and a Spanish Language course (continuing in the track the student began as a freshman). 

An 11th or 12th grade student who wishes to take every Spanish Immersion offering will enroll in Spanish Immersion English 11/12. Another option for 11th and 12th graders is Spanish in the Community, a one semester, internship-based class which aims to provide students with authentic experiences to use their Spanish. The student may also take a Spanish Language course (continuing in the track the student began as a freshman, this could mean taking a GVSU course.)

There is at times, some confusion as to how immersion courses fit into a student's schedule at the credit level. 

SI English Language 9 and SI English Language 10 count as a student's English Language credits.

SI United States History and SI World History count as a student's Social Studies credits. 

Any other immersion classes from the World Language track count as World Language credits.

As students are entering their freshman year, they are invited to enter the World Language Track (to earn World Language Credits) with courses designed specifically for Immersion students. 

1. The default Spanish Immersion Language Course for 9th graders is Spanish Immersion AP Prep (SI AP Prep). SI AP Prep is a course designed to prepare Spanish Immersion students for the rigor of AP Spanish Language and Culture the following year. In SI AP Prep, we focus on fine-tuning our grammar skills and building our "cultural toolbox."

2. The 10th grade Spanish Immersion Language Course is AP Spanish Language and Culture. AP Spanish Language and Culture is a rigorous course that emphasizes communication by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products; practices; and perspectives. 

   • In May of their 10th grade year, students have the option of taking the AP Spanish Language and Culture AP Exam. A 4 or higher is also an alternate way to qualify for the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. 

   • AP Spanish Language and Culture is equivalent to a 300-level college course in Spanish. At Grand Valley State University, a student will earn 16 credits for a 5 on the exam (this varies by score and university).

3. GVSU Spanish Storytelling Course (SPAN 380) taught on JHS campus. 

Yes! Upon completion of AP Spanish Language and Culture, students may enroll in a GVSU Spanish Storytelling Course (SPAN 380). The course is taught on Jenison Senior High's campus during the school day. Students are taught by a GVSU instructor and earn college credit. This class acts as a gateway to other GVSU classes taught on their own campus. 

After completing the Spanish Storytelling Course (SPAN 380) taught by a GVSU instructor the the Senior High, students wishing to continue pursuing college credit should enroll to take SPAN 321 Conversation and Composition on campus at GVSU. Upon completion of SPAN 321, they should then take SPAN 322 Convo and Comp 2, also on campus at GVSU. 

And after these two courses, students can choose whatever courses they would like for their major or minor.

At the secondary level, students are expected to remain in the target language 100% of the time. We treasure every second of Spanish we can have, and so switching back and forth to English is disruptive and against our model. We strongly believe that secondary students now have ownership over their immersion experience, and so should monitor their own language use. The only exception to this expectation is the bridging lesson (please see below). 

At the Junior High, this belief is scaffolded and reinforced with a Spanish Speaking Grade each week. Students earn a grade (10 points) each week for maintaining Spanish as their target language in each of their immersion classes. Each time a student is asked to switch back to Spanish, he or she loses 2 points for that week's grade.

At the High School, Spanish is an expectation for all immersion students. This is not a specific grade, as it is believed that if students are continuing in the program, they have motivation to maintain and continue to grow their Spanish language proficiency. English is not tolerated. 

**Bridging lessons are an intentional metalinguistic connection between English and Spanish to help students grow in their knowledge of both languages. Bridging lessons are planned intentionally by immersion teachers and focus on morphology and other language traits that will aid students in their language.

The Michigan Seal of Biliteracy is an award presented to students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one other world language by high school graduation. The Seal provides employers with a way to identify individuals with strong language and biliteracy skills. The Seal serves as an additional tool for colleges and universities to recognize applicants’ language abilities for admission and placement.

The AAPPL test is an approved assessment used to provide evidence of Spanish language proficiency, meeting the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) criteria of Intermediate High or equivalent in each domain. Typically, this assessment is completed in a student’s junior year of high school, however, a recent law change has allowed immersion programs to test at the 8th grade level. An alternative route to earn the Seal of Biliteracy is a 4 on the AP Spanish exam. 

If your child achieves I5 or A1 in each of the four language domains, he or she has achieved the requirements of the Seal of Biliteracy.

It is important to note that per the Michigan Department of Education requirements, in order to have this Seal of Biliteracy on your student’s diploma without another assessment in 11th grade, your child must have three years of continued enrollment in at least one immersion or Spanish class.