Immersion is defined as a method of foreign language instruction in which the regular school curriculum is taught through the medium of the language. Total immersion is one program format among several that range on a continuum in terms of time spent in the foreign language. In total immersion, all schooling in the initial years is conducted in the foreign language, including reading and language arts. In partial immersion, reading and language arts are always taught in English. Beyond that, the choice of subjects taught in each language is a local decision.
Different schools phase English in at different grade levels.
The original total immersion model, pioneered in Canada, introduced English language arts in Grade 2 with the ultimate goal of instruction being a 50-50 balance of languages in the upper elementary grades. Some schools do not introduce English language arts until Grade 5, which seems to be a growing trend. Total immersion is the most effective way of developing foreign language proficiency. The intensity of the immersion experience coupled with the amount of exposure to the foreign language assures that students have the necessary language skills to deal with the curriculum in the upper elementary grades. Total immersion, however, is not for everyone.