"[Through the program] students are able to function in an all-English environment and an all-Spanish environment," Casabon says.

Cordova teaches her class entirely in Spanish, but the kindergarteners are allowed to ask and answer questions in Spanish or English, she says.

"The kindergarteners are really understanding a lot. That's my goal for the kindergarten," Cordova says.

As students progress in the program, they become more proficient in both languages, according to Casabon.

Casabon says the program's first goal has been "to provide a solid academic program for students in which they will gain ability to communicate in two languages."

"For the most part," Casabon says, "students start to feel really comfortable with knowledge of both languages by second grade."

"By third grade the children are able to read, write, and speak in both languages," she says.

The program also aims to encourage students to form "cross-cultural friendships," Casabon says. She says that by third grade, children are choosing friendships without regard to racial or ethnic background."

Cordova says the environment in her classroom is completely Spanish, with Spanish books and posters around the room help to reinforce the language for students.

Starting bilingual training in kindergarten makes it much easier for students to learn a second language, Cordova says. "At that age, it's very comfortable for them," she says.

The Amigos program currently has 247 students, 121 of whom are native Spanish speakers. More are on a waiting list. Albert Giroux, public information director for the Cambridge public schools, says demand for the program runs about even between English and Spanish-speaking parents.

Friendships Formed

Students and parents interviewed hailed the program as a success. Jason Nowlan, a sixth grader in his seventh year in Amigos, says that while he does not understand every word of the Spanish-language lessons, he is able to "piece it together." He says he did not find it confusing to switch languages weekly.

Jose Perez, a sixth grader in Amigos, says he has formed friendships with students of English-speaking and Spanish-speaking backgrounds.

School officials say the Amigos program introduces students to the others' culture as well as language. "Students are bombarded by multicultural education," Casabon says.