What is TNLI?
The TNLI (Transitional Native Language Instruction) program supports students’ native language development as they learn English so that students become bilingual and biliterate. Students enrolled in the TNLI program will receive instruction in Spanish and English in kindergarten through fifth grade. Over time, instruction will move from being primarily in Spanish to being primarily in English. Every grade level incorporates the strategic use of two languages, with the ultimate goal being proficiency in both languages. We know that building conceptual knowledge in students’ native language helps them be more successful in English and their native language.
The benefits of the TNLI Program:
Students who have been in a TNLI program until they are ready to transition into mainstream classes score higher on standardized assessments, have higher graduation rates and have lower dropout rates than students who do not. When your child enters mainstream classes, he or she will be fluent in two languages, a significant advantage for colleges and careers in the 21st century.
