We are a proud FCPS Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) school. The DLI classroom delivers educational content in English and Japanese for those students in grades 1-6 enrolled in the Japanese Immersion Program(JIP). The DLI program provides mathematics, science, and health instruction in the Japanese. The acquisition process comes easier in these content areas. This is because of the use of manipulatives and concrete, hands-on activities for instruction. Each content area includes literacy development. Instruction takes place in English for language arts and for social studies. DLI teachers are members of grade-level teams in the school building. The goals of the FCPS DLI program are to:

• foster grade level academic achievement

• develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and intercultural competence.

Benefits of Being Bilingual

Many studies show the advantages of bilingualism and biliteracy. Benefits range from cognitive to economic to socio-cultural. The Center for Applied Linguistics notes these benefits of early language learning.

Learning a second language:

• Has a positive effect on intellectual growth

• Enriches a child's mental development

• Promotes flexible thinking 

• Develops greater sensitivity to language and a better ear for listening

• Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language

• Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know

• Opens the door to other cultures

• Helps children understand and appreciate people from other countries

• Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college

• Increases job opportunities

Great Falls Elementary Immersion (DLI) Program Model

Our school is a One-Way (or World Language) DLI program that includes fewer native speakers of Japanese (less than 50%). Our JIP program starts in first grade and uses a lottery to accept students for this program. Any parent who wishes for their child to be considered for the program must reside in Fairfax County however transportation will only be provided if that child resides within the school boundary.

Japanese Cultural Committee

The Japanese Cultural Committee (JCC) of Great Falls Elementary School is a parent-run 501(c)3 non-profit organization that aims to promote and sponsor the Japanese language and cultural activities of the Great Fall Elementary School.  It supports the school’s Japanese language immersion program and enrolled families by organizing educational and cultural events in and outside of the classrooms in order to promote greater understanding of Japan and Japanese culture and language. For more information about the JCC, please visit http://www.jcc-gfes.org/index.php/mission/