This paper describes the benefits of indigenous mother tongue immersion programs, examining the Total Physical Response approach to immersion for beginning learners and focusing on the development of Maori and Hawaiian mother tongue language immersion programs. The paper discusses the importance of immersing students in a language-risk environment, noting that an effective natural approach to immersion is based on four principles: comprehension precedes production, students learn new language in stages, the objective of language learning is to be able to carry out a conversation in that language, and classroom activities need to lessen student anxiety. It cautions that it is very important to introduce English early on in bilingual programs in the United States and that the idea of never speaking English can be overdone. It also questions delaying English instruction for a considerable period, suggesting that bilingual programs should be fully bilingual with a strong English language arts program. (Contains 19 references.) (SM)