Language is a Bridge not a Barrier

K-12 STEAM education

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The timing of the Youth Spanish Lingo Lounge is essential because it advances the California Department of Education's mission to ensure by 2040, three out of four students will be proficient in two or more languages, earning them a State Seal of Biliteracy. 21 Bridges supports this learning gap by offering a comprehensive Spanish curriculum tailored to youth and delivered online.
School District Pain Points
California is investing less money than other states in bilingual education (Edsource.org)
Shortage of bilingual education teachers (Cal Budget and Policy Center)
Customer Pain Points
Students enrolled in bilingual Spanish schools lack the confidence to participate in class.
Lack of online language learning exclusively for youth to learn languages
America Pain points
The U.S. is one of the few countries considered monolingual, in comparison with most European countries where students begin learning a second language by the age of 9 (PEW research center)

21 Bridges offers a platform where students can learn Spanish online with certified ELE (teaching Spanish to foreigners) Spanish instructors. There are three students in our program (Delany, Gavriel, and Naomi); they attended bilingual education schools for middle school but, unfortunately, have no outside programs to enhance their fluency. 21 Bridges connects learners to culture and speaking by creating access to language coaches worldwide. Our coaches develop the 21 Bridges curriculum and draw on their educational experiences. Two out of three studies education and pedagogy; one is multilingual and is studying psychology.
Youth Spanish Lingo Lounge
With our small group format, youth enjoy a supportive learning environment where they can build confidence, hone their skills, and achieve fluency efficiently. Their Spanish language coach is fun, engaging, motivating, and willing to teach them about the culture they come from
Private Tutoring/ language coaching: Tailored specifically to the youth’s unique learning style and pace, our one-on-one sessions provide personalized attention and support that ensures rapid progress and comprehension. Our tutors customize each lesson to match the child's interests, goals, and proficiency level, making learning engaging and enjoyable. Whether youth need help with homework, want to excel in class, or desire to become fluent in Spanish, our private tutoring offers the flexibility and convenience to fit into any schedule.

Should the mission of 21 Bridges be fulfilled in the city of Los Angeles, youth will have the glowing opportunity to fulfill the mission of the "Global California 2030 [which] is to equip students with world language skills to appreciate better and more fully engage with the rich and diverse mixture of cultures, heritages, and languages found in California and the world, while also preparing them to succeed in the global economy" (Singleton et al., 2018). Students in Los Angeles will have access to learn Spanish as a second language, which will create economic opportunities for them in the form of professional skillsets. This opportunity will extend to other languages, creating a space for Spanish-speaking youth in California to learn English as a second in addition to Spanish.
Singleton, C., Roark, S., Ainsworth, B., Aguila, V., & Fajardo, E. (Eds.). (2018b). (publication). Global California 2030 Speak. Learn. Lead. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Education.

Success is measured by a comprehensive speaking tool deployed by our ELE-certified Spanish coaches. Pre- and post-speaking assessments will be recorded for every learner entering our program. ELE stands for Espanol como Lengua Extranjera” (Spanish as a Foreign Language). When students like Delany, Naomi, and Gavriel enter our program, they speak Spanish during the 9-month school year; they are re-recorded mid-way through and at the SY end. Students are also self-surveyed during the program to assess their perceived growth at the start, mid-program, and end. The program is measured on a 9-month cycle, but students have year-round access to the online Spanish Youth Lingo Lounge Program.

West Angeles Education and Enrichment Program is a partner of 21 Bridges Languages. They are responsible for referring students to our program whom they deem to benefit from learning Spanish as a second language.