The Unique Skills and Traits of Principals in One‐Way and Two‐Way Dual Immersion Schools

This study considers the opinions of dual immersion elementary school principals in investigating the following research questions: (1) What do dual immersion principals identify as the skills and traits for the school leader that lead to the principal's success in a dual immersion context? and (2) What were the differences of opinion, if any, between principals of one-way and two-way dual immersion programs about the traits and skills required for the school leader? Data was collected from 12 interviews and an online survey of 29 principals of dual immersion schools in Utah. Dual immersion is a model for teaching foreign language in the elementary schools where two languages are studied simultaneously, thus differing from total immersion models, where the foreign language is the only language used at school (Roberts, 2015). Understanding the role of the principal at these schools was the central focus of this research. The themes and patterns that emerged from the data analysis point to five key roles for dual immersion principals. Findings also indicate that these needed skills and traits for school leaders vary between one-way and two-way dual immersion programs.