The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is designed to build academic fluency in both English and a second language. Students have the opportunity to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in TWO languages.
The program has three goals:
- Academic Achievement – High levels of achievement, on par or better than non-immersion students, across all content areas
- Bilingual/Biliteracy – High levels of language proficiency in both English and a second language
- Multicultural Competence – Understanding the differences and ability to navigate the nuances of cultures
Dual Language Immersion Index

Instructional Guides & Standards
Canyons School District’s curriculum maps are standards-based maps driven by the Utah
World Language Core Standards for Proficiency and the Proficiency Guidelines as defined in the 2012 American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
The standards provide a clear description of what can be done with language at various levels in speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
The three proficiency levels used in the maps are: Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced subdivided into low, mid, and high sublevels.
The Utah Core strands of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening are integrated in the standards for learning languages’ goal area of Communication and Cultures:
- Interpersonal (speaking and listening or writing and reading)
- Interpretive (reading, listening, and viewing)
- Presentational (writing, speaking)
- Intercultural competencies (products, practices, and perspectives)
(USBE World Language Standards)
Adopted Curriculum
Dual Language Immersion is a state program and the curriculum is chosen and purchased by the Utah State Board of Education.
Assessment
Elementary and Secondary
- DLI Fall AAPPL testing: Chinese, French, and Spanish in grades 3 – 9
- When: Every year in Fall
- Advanced Placement (AP) World Language and Culture Examination (grade 9 – Chinese, French, and Spanish)
- www.collegeboard.com
- When: Every year in May
Professional Development
AUDII – The Annual Utah Dual Immersion Institute is a professional development opportunity that takes place the first week of August every year.
This is a great opportunity for 1st and 2nd year DLI teachers to come together from around the world to collaborate around best practices in Dual Language Immersion.
For ongoing professional development opportunities throughout the year, please visit the Utah Dual Immersion Program website.
Resources
See “Adopted Curriculum”
Contact Us
Ofelia Wade | State Spanish DLI Director | |
Elisabeth-Michèle Harward | District High School Specialist Dual Language Immersion World Language | |
Amy Gutierrez | District Middle School Specialist Dual Language Immersion World Language | |
Julie Butler | District Elementary Specialist Dual Language Immersion | |
Summer Wu | State Elementary Chinese Coordinator Dual Language Immersion | |
Maite Gallo Velasco | State Elementary Spanish Coordinator Dual Language Immersion | |
Areli Nevarez | State Secondary Spanish Coordinator Dual Language Immersion | |
General Contact |