Tri-City Herald publishes this editorial piece of dual-language programs and their benefits beyond the obvious, and cites the examples of the programs at Pasco and Kennewick school districts were kids are emerged in the language, and culture, of their peers.

“When someone learns to speak another language, they are learning more than how to conjugate verbs. Speaking a foreign tongue usually includes learning about another people's customs and culture. It goes a long way toward understanding each other -- well beyond what you can get from popular online translators like Google Translate or BabelFish. And it's not especially expensive. The dual-language programs offered through the Pasco and Kennewick school districts are good examples of totally emersing kids in the language -- and culture -- of their peers.” Read the complete editorial here.