Certainly ACPI promotes immersion for all learners. We get the message out that teachers need to be inclusive and to recognize that decisions either to stay in the program or to leave it belong strictly to families and not to anybody else. Those put teachers in a position of conflict of interest, which is something they should never put themselves in.
We try to educate our educators. Last Friday we had a conference in our school division with somebody from the States who does research on all the good things that are occurring to youngsters who are learning a second language, who, even though they struggle, achieve similar or better results than they would achieve if they were in a one language program. We're promoting the news that learning a second language is actually really positive for all learners, even those who are struggling. Learning that second language, even though you're struggling, is still positive. It may even be better for you than not struggling and learning just one language.
A lot of the challenges stem from the wrong metaphor. People think that languages occupy space in the brain, so if you have two languages, your brain is overwhelmed. Well, that's not the right metaphor for the brain. The brain works differently. Having two languages is actually a good thing. Even though you're struggling, learning that second language makes you better and stronger in many different ways, cognitively included.
ACPI recognizes that and works to educate teachers and parents in that sense. The press is being quite helpful with that, pointing out a lot of studies that show that learning languages is extremely positive in all facets. We're learning more and more as we go on.