What is a submersion program?

A submersion program involves placing English language learners into general education classrooms where English is the primary language of instruction, often without providing additional support tailored to their language needs. This means that these students are effectively "submerged" in an English-speaking environment.

In such programs, learners are expected to acquire the language through immersion in the content without structured interventions or support specifically designed for them. As a result, students may struggle to keep up with the curriculum due to their limited English proficiency because there are minimal resources or scaffolding to assist their learning process.

The essence of a submersion program is its lack of systematic support, which can lead to challenges in academic achievement for students who are not yet proficient in English. This distinguishes it from language education models that emphasize structured support or bilingual education, which provide more tailored approaches to help learners succeed.