program, the characteristics of immersion program, the types of immersion program, and the teaching principles of immersion program.
a. The Definition of Immersion and Immersion Program
The term immersion may be defined as involvement, engagement, absorption, dipping, soaking, and wetting but the definition is related to
involvement and dipping World English Thesaurus, 2009. In terms of the education method of language teaching, immersion is a teaching learning program
which is intended to use the second or foreign language optimally in classrooms Dinas Pendidikan, 2008. The regular school curriculum is taught through the
medium of the language in which English is used as the medium of instruction; it is not the subject of instruction Met, 1993. Richards and Schmidt 2002
mention that an immersion program is a form of bilingual education which uses a second language or foreign language to teach at least 50 of the curriculum
during the elementary or secondary grades. In this sense, the foreign language is the vehicle for content instruction but it is not the subject of instruction. Bostwick
2005, in his article, summarizes that language immersion is an approach to foreign language instruction in which the usual curricular activities are conducted
in a foreign language. In conclusion, the definitions above can be generated that an immersion
program is a certain kind of bilingual program that commonly uses a second language or foreign language as the medium of instruction in schools to teach only
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
parts or all content subjects in order that the students’ proficiency in the target language is high while they are learning the subject matter.
b. The Objectives of Immersion Program
There are some goals which are addressed in the implementation of an immersion programs. Met 1993 declare these following goals:
1 Developing a high-level of proficiency in the foreign language
2 Developing positive attitudes toward those who speak the foreign language
and toward their culture 3
Developing English language corresponding with expectations for students’ age and abilities
4 Gaining skills and knowledge in the content area of the curriculum in keeping
with the stated objectives in these areas. The schools, including the immersion teachers, the government and the
stakeholders need to understand the goals of immersion program which will be achieved. Especially, immersion teachers need to realize and to really understand
their important roles in achieving of the gpals of immersion program.
c. The Characteristics of Immersion Program
