ABSTRACT
Vicente started school as a limited English proficient student from a Spanish-speaking, low-income family. Zayna also enrolled in school as an English-speaking student from a Middle Eastern family. Research in second language acquisition defines it as a dynamic, creative, innate process that is best developed through contextual, meaningful activities that focus on language use combined with guidance along the way from the teachers. To extend learning opportunities in both languages and to provide quality professional development for interested teachers, the Javits grant funds have supported a Connecting Worlds/Mundos Unidos summer camp and demonstration school planned and developed by program teachers and administrators. During the second week of summer camp, teachers and administrators also participate in the Connecting Worlds/Mundos Unidos demonstration school. Vicente and Zayna graduated in the top 10% of their class and were awarded academic scholarships to attend the University of Texas at El Paso.
