Language immersion at Poly Prep offers more than vocabulary and fluency; it opens a window into culture, deepening students’ empathy, understanding, and ability to communicate across differences.

Why Immersion Learning Matters

Research from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages highlights that when students learn a language in authentic contexts, they naturally absorb the cultural perspectives connected to it. Studies also show that bilingual learners develop stronger executive function: the mental skills that support focus, problem-solving, task-switching, and memory–all of which are essential for success in school and beyond. Immersion learning not only strengthens these cognitive abilities but also cultivates creativity, mental flexibility, and sustained engagement.

Grade 2 Visits Don Paco Lopez Bakery

In late October, Grade 2 brought their Spanish learning into the heart of the Park Slope and Sunset Park community. Led by Poly’s Lower School Spanish teacher Sarah Ely, students stepped beyond the classroom and into Don Paco Lopez Bakery, a third-generation, family-owned Mexican panadería to connect new vocabulary to real-world experiences in an authentic, welcoming environment. The field trip experience, rooted in their curricular unit on neighborhood places (mercado, panadería, parque), deepened students’ understanding of both language and local culture.

From Puebla to Brooklyn: A Bakery’s Journey

Don Paco Lopez Bakery, built on tradition, passion, and decades of baking excellence, traces its roots to 1932 in the small town of Chila de las Flores, Puebla, Mexico. There, Angel Lopez began passing down his family’s recipes for traditional Mexican breads. In 1976, his son, Francisco Lopez, affectionately known as Don Paco, immigrated to the United States, bringing his heritage and craft with him. On June 29, 1991, he opened his first bakery in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, a neighborhood known for its strong sense of community. With the support of his wife, Leonila, the Lopez family built a business grounded in hard work, authentic baking expertise, and cultural pride.

Today, now in their 90s, Francisco and Leonila remain at the heart of the bakery, ensuring every batch is freshly baked and infused with the flavors of Mexico. Their children have helped expand the family business, opening a second location in Spanish Harlem in 2000 and a third in Westbury, Long Island, in 2024—each one an extension of their commitment to sharing their culture, traditions, and love of Mexican bread with communities across New York.

A Colorful Welcome to the Panadería

When Grade 2 students visited the bakery, they were greeted by vibrant walls painted in bright oranges, greens, and yellows, a warm welcome into a full tour of the space. Students practiced their Spanish as they met shop owners, moving from the storefront to behind the counter and into the bustling kitchen. Surrounded by trays of fresh-baked goods and the aroma of warm pastries and brewed drinks, they listened attentively and engaged confidently in conversation.

Connecting Classroom Learning to Cultural Tradition

The visit also offered a meaningful cultural moment: students viewed the bakery’s ofrenda or altar for Día de los Muertos, seeing items they had discussed in class displayed on a colorful altar honoring loved ones who have passed. Because each region of Mexico has its own distinct way of designing an ofrenda, students were able to experience the Lopez family’s unique interpretation firsthand. They asked thoughtful questions, explored the details up close, and connected their classroom learning to a living tradition brought to life before them.

“I love this unit because students make so many meaningful connections to their own lived experiences while also discovering connections to the experiences of others. Visiting Don Paco Lopez, hearing the history of their bakery, and seeing their ofrenda for Día de los Muertos was truly an honor,” said Ely.

Creating a 3D Community of Words

This year, the class added a creative twist to the unit: using newly learned vocabulary to design a 3D class neighborhood. Students built individual structures from cardstock; some collaborated on projects such as a restaurante connected to an apartamento, while others created a two-story hotel or even a full subway station complete with the green entrance lights. As Ely observed, “Students not only used their new vocabulary to build this neighborhood, they brought incredible creativity and imagination to the entire project.”

Through hands-on learning and cultural exploration, students connected language, community, and creativity in a memorable and meaningful way.