Dual Language Immersion Video
Programa de Inmersión en dos Idiomas Video
Goleta Union School District
El Camino Elementary School
Two Languages + One Child = Infinite Possibilities
Welcome to GUSD's Dual Language Immersion Program (DLI) information page. Here you will find information on what DLI is, the program we offer, and important contact information. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting your child's journey to becoming multilingual!
What is Dual Language Immersion (DLI)?
Students are taught all academic content in English as well as a target language, such as Spanish. DLI Programs typically start in Kindergarten and instruction in the target language is taught for at least half of the instructional day.
What are the goals of the DLI program?
Our goals for our students in the DLI program are to become bilingual, biliterate and socio-culturally proficient global citizens. They will obtain high academic achievement in all subject areas, develop strong 21st century skills, and move forward towards reciting the California state Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diploma.
General Information about the DLI program.
GUSD launched our first Spanish/English DLI program, located at El Camino Elementary School, in the fall of 2020. We had 48 kindergarten students in our inaugural cohort. Each year, an additional cohort will be added and by 2026-2027 school year the DLI program will encompass TK-6th grade.
DLI Introduction Video (English, Spanish)
Each cohort is made up of 1/3 native English Speakers, 1/3 native Spanish speakers, and 1/3 bilingual speakers or speakers of a language other than English or Spanish.
All students living in the GUSD boundaries and entering Transitonal Kindergarten and Kindergarten are eligible to apply for GUSD’s Dual Language Program in the spring of each year when they enroll for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten. A lottery is held in April/May to determine who will be offered a spot in the program and the order of waiting list applicants. The GUSD/El Camino DLI program is a 7-year commitment (Kindergarten to 6th grade).
GUSD follows a 90/10 immersion model. This means that students in K and 1st grade are instructed in Spanish, the target language, for 90% of their school day and instructed in English for 10% of their school day. The amount of instruction in English gradually increases throughout the grade levels until 5th/6th grade when the students spend equal parts of their day instructed in Spanish and English.
Table 1. Percentage of Instructional Day in English and Spanish in GUSD DLI Program
Contact Information
El Camino Elementary School
Ms. Lorena Chávez, Principal
Mrs. Paulina Villagomez Moreno
Email: pvillagomezmoreno@gusd.us
Office Phone: 805-681-1283
District Office - Instructional Services Department
Dr. Letitia Bradley, Assistant Superintendent
Mrs. Heidi Ortiz, Administrative Secretary
Email: hortiz@gusd.us
805-681-1200 ext. 2203