Educators from around the world gathered in Palm Springs this week to discuss strategies to help students become bilingual and biliterate. The 23rd annual conference of the Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Education drew more than 1,400 educators, the largest number yet, a spokeswoman said.

"There are so many advantages to being bilingual and biliterate," said Michelle Mitchell, co-chair of the conference. "We're moving into a global economy, and it's critical for students to be able to have the ability to communicate in many languages."

Mitchell, who is fluent in Spanish and English, said that the number of immersion programs has grown tremendously across the country in recent years and she has seen it spread throughout Southern California.

"It's a movement. It's growing, and it should. It's a wonderful opportunity for our English-speaking students to learn a new language and it's an especially good opportunity for our Spanish-speaking students to get critical material in their native language," Mitchell said.

As dual language immersion programs have grown in popularity nationwide, so have the number of programs in the Coachella Valley. Both Palm Springs Unified School District and Coachella Valley Unified School District have waiting lists for their programs and community interest is high.

Eric Antuna, coordinator of English Learner Programs for the PSUSD said it's a great learning opportunity for students in the valley.

"It makes the kids more marketable, and the kids can access another half of the world,"Antuna said. "We want our kids to have choices, and this is another great choice for them to have."

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