Maria Rodriguez Marcos, ECE Principal and Spanish Program & Accreditation Director at the International School of Denver (ISDenver), proudly represented the school’s Early Childhood Education multilingual immersion model at the 35th ASELE International Congress, held July 28–31, 2025, in Castellón, Spain.

The ASELE Congress, a globally recognized forum for educators and researchers in Spanish language instruction, provided a powerful platform for Maria to showcase ISDenver’s innovative approach to early childhood education. Our program begins at just 2.5 years old and immerses students in Spanish, French, or Chinese through inquiry-based learning inspired by the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework.

A model that builds global citizens from the start

At ISDenver, language immersion is more than vocabulary. It’s a gateway to cognitive development, cultural fluency, and academic excellence. Our ECE program is built on the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) methodology, which integrates subject matter and language acquisition in a natural, engaging way.

Key features of the program include:

• 90% immersion in the target language (Spanish, French, or Chinese)
• Dual native-speaking teachers in every classroom
• Vocabulary pre-teaching aligned with inquiry units
• Daily routines and visual resources to reinforce comprehension
• Intentional links between the immersion and native languages
• Play-based learning that fosters exploration and experimentation

This holistic approach nurtures essential cognitive skills such as:

• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Adaptability

Five non-negotiables for immersion success

During her presentation, Maria emphasized five foundational pillars that make ISDenver’s immersion model both effective and inspiring:

1. Two native-speaking teachers: Authentic oral interaction and continuous input are key to natural language acquisition.

2. Vocabulary pre-teaching: Strategic use of word chunks and thematic vocabulary builds confidence and comprehension. Research has consistently shown that lexical development is a cornerstone of early language acquisition, particularly in immersion and second language learning settings. Studies by Nation (2001) and Schmitt (2008) emphasize that a robust vocabulary is directly linked to overall language proficiency, including reading comprehension, listening skills, and expressive abilities. By introducing thematic vocabulary and high-frequency word chunks before engaging with new content, learners—especially young children—are better equipped to process and understand the language input they receive. In immersion environments, where learners are often surrounded by the target language with minimal translation support, pre-teaching vocabulary not only builds linguistic confidence but also fosters deeper engagement with the content. Research by Gass & Selinker (2008) supports this approach, suggesting that targeted lexical instruction improves both receptive and productive language skills in early learners. Thus, strategic vocabulary pre-teaching is not just a supportive technique—it's a critical component of successful early language development.

3. Routines and visual resources: Predictable structures and visual cues support contextualized learning.

4. Play as pedagogy: Through play, children learn language in meaningful, joyful ways that spark curiosity and creativity.

5. Language connections: By intentionally bridging the immersion language with students’ native language, we foster barrier-free bilingualism. This dynamic approach (sometimes referred to as translanguaging) empowers young learners to draw from their full linguistic repertoire, making meaning through both languages and deepening comprehension in authentic, personal ways. Language connection is powerful tool that can be utilized across all age levels.

Sharing and learning on a global stage

Maria’s participation at ASELE 2025 not only highlighted ISDenver’s leadership in multilingual early education, it also reinforced the school’s commitment to global collaboration and lifelong learning.

 

Thank you to @asele_asoc for the opportunity to share our inspiring model and to learn from so many passionate educators from around the world

- Maria Rodriguez Marcos