10.1 Bilingual education models throughout history
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Bilingual education has evolved over time, offering various models to support language learners. From transitional programs to , these approaches aim to develop proficiency in multiple languages while maintaining academic progress.
and content-based learning have gained popularity, recognizing the importance of cultural connections and authentic language use. These models reflect changing attitudes towards bilingualism and its benefits in education and society.
Bilingual Education Program Models
Transitional and Maintenance Models
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aims to transition students from their native language to the dominant language
Typically lasts 2-3 years
Gradually decreases instruction in the native language
Focuses on developing proficiency in the dominant language (English in the US)
supports long-term bilingualism and biliteracy
Continues instruction in both languages throughout schooling
Aims to develop and maintain proficiency in both languages
Promotes (adding a second language without losing the first)
Dual Language and Immersion Programs
Dual language immersion programs provide instruction in two languages
Balance instruction time between two languages (often 50/50)
Develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and
Can be one-way (for language minority students) or two-way (mix of language minority and majority students)
programs integrate native speakers of both languages
Aim for a balanced number of students from each language background
Promote cross-cultural understanding and peer language models
Often implement the 90/10 model (90% minority language in early years, gradually increasing majority language)
Heritage Language Programs
Heritage language programs target students with cultural connections to a language
Designed for students who may have some proficiency in their heritage language
Focus on developing literacy skills and academic language
Preserve and strengthen cultural identity and language skills
Can be offered as after-school programs, weekend schools, or integrated into regular curriculum
Language Immersion Approaches
Full Immersion Models
places language learners directly into mainstream classrooms
Provides no specific language support
Often referred to as "sink or swim" approach
Can lead to academic difficulties and language loss
offers instruction entirely in the target language
Provides specialized techniques to make content comprehensible
Teachers use simplified language and visual aids
Gradually increases complexity as students progress
Content-Based Language Learning
(CLIL) integrates content and language instruction
Teaches subject matter (math, science, history) through the target language
Focuses on both content knowledge and language acquisition
Promotes cognitive engagement and authentic language use
Widely used in European education systems
Benefits of CLIL include increased motivation and language exposure
Students learn language in meaningful contexts
Develops
Prepares students for global academic and professional environments
Bilingual Schooling
Bilingual Schools and Their Characteristics
offer instruction in two or more languages
Curriculum is delivered in multiple languages throughout the day
Aim to develop high levels of proficiency in both languages
Often have specific (certain subjects taught in each language)
Various models of bilingual schools exist
International schools with instruction in a local language and a global language (often English)
Schools catering to (Welsh-English schools in Wales)
Elite bilingual schools focusing on prestige languages (French-English in Canada)
Bilingual schools face unique challenges and opportunities
Require bilingual teaching staff and appropriate resources
Need to balance language use and ensure academic success in both languages
Often produce students with advanced metalinguistic awareness and cognitive flexibility
Key Terms to Review (18)
Academic language proficiency: Academic language proficiency refers to the ability to understand and use the formal language necessary for success in academic settings. This includes a range of skills such as reading comprehension, writing, and the ability to engage in discussions that require critical thinking and analysis. Achieving academic language proficiency is crucial for bilingual students, as it allows them to navigate both their native and second languages in educational contexts effectively.
Additive bilingualism: Additive bilingualism refers to a type of bilingualism where the acquisition of a second language enhances and adds to the individual's first language skills rather than replacing them. This approach promotes both languages equally, leading to cognitive, cultural, and social benefits for the bilingual individual. It contrasts with subtractive bilingualism, where the second language acquisition can diminish proficiency in the first language.
Bilateralism: Bilateralism refers to the relationship and cooperation between two entities, often countries or organizations, to address mutual interests or concerns. In the context of education, particularly bilingual education models, bilateralism emphasizes the reciprocal exchange of knowledge and cultural understanding between language groups, promoting both languages equally in the educational system.
Bilingual schools: Bilingual schools are educational institutions where instruction is provided in two languages, enabling students to become proficient in both. These schools often promote cultural diversity and aim to foster bilingualism and biliteracy among students by using both languages for teaching various subjects.
Content and Language Integrated Learning: Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is an educational approach that combines teaching a subject (like science or history) through a foreign language, helping students improve both their subject knowledge and language skills simultaneously. This method supports bilingual education by emphasizing the importance of context and meaningful communication while learning content.
Content-based language learning: Content-based language learning is an approach that integrates language instruction with subject matter teaching, enabling learners to acquire a new language while simultaneously engaging with meaningful content. This method emphasizes the use of real-world materials and topics to facilitate language acquisition, making the learning process more relevant and engaging for students. By focusing on content, this approach helps learners develop both linguistic and cognitive skills in a contextualized manner.
Cultural Competence: Cultural competence is the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people from different cultures. It encompasses awareness of one's own cultural worldview, attitudes towards cultural differences, knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews, and skills for effectively engaging in cross-cultural interactions. In bilingual education, cultural competence is crucial as it ensures that educators can create inclusive environments that respect and integrate diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Dual language immersion: Dual language immersion is an educational program designed to teach students in two languages, typically their native language and a target language, with the goal of achieving bilingualism and biliteracy. This model often combines native English speakers and speakers of another language, promoting language skills and cultural understanding in a collaborative learning environment.
Full immersion models: Full immersion models refer to educational approaches where students are placed entirely in a second language environment, with the aim of developing fluency in that language through direct engagement and exposure. These models prioritize the use of the target language across all subjects, providing learners with rich linguistic experiences that mimic natural language acquisition. This method contrasts with partial immersion or transitional programs that may include the first language in instruction.
Heritage language programs: Heritage language programs are educational initiatives designed to support the maintenance and development of a student’s native language, particularly among individuals from immigrant families or communities. These programs aim to enhance students' proficiency in their heritage languages while also integrating cultural knowledge, thus promoting bilingualism and cultural identity.
Language allocation policies: Language allocation policies refer to the strategies and regulations implemented by educational systems to determine which languages will be used for instruction and communication within schools. These policies play a critical role in shaping bilingual education models, influencing students' language proficiency, cultural identity, and academic success, as they dictate how languages are prioritized and integrated into the curriculum.
Linguistic minorities: Linguistic minorities are groups of people who speak a language different from the dominant language in a particular region or country. This distinction often arises in contexts where one language is favored for official purposes, education, and media, while other languages spoken by smaller populations may be marginalized. The existence of linguistic minorities is closely tied to issues of cultural identity, access to education, and political representation.
Maintenance bilingual education: Maintenance bilingual education is an educational approach designed to promote and preserve students' native languages while also teaching them a second language, often the dominant language of the society. This model aims to ensure that students become proficient in both languages and fosters a strong cultural identity, which is crucial in the context of various bilingual education models throughout history.
One-way immersion: One-way immersion is a type of bilingual education model where students who share the same native language are taught in a second language, promoting bilingualism and biliteracy. This approach aims to immerse students in a new language while maintaining their first language, enhancing their academic and cognitive skills as they navigate learning in both languages. It contrasts with two-way immersion, where students from different language backgrounds learn together.
Structured immersion: Structured immersion is an educational approach designed to teach students who are learning a new language by immersing them in an environment where they are surrounded by the target language while simultaneously providing support and instruction. This method allows learners to acquire language skills through meaningful interactions, with the intention of developing both language proficiency and academic content knowledge in a seamless manner.
Submersion: Submersion refers to an educational approach where non-native language learners are placed in an all-English speaking environment without any support in their native language. This model is designed to immerse students in the target language, often with the assumption that they will acquire the language naturally through exposure. However, it typically overlooks the importance of maintaining the students' first language and can lead to significant challenges in academic achievement and social integration.
Transitional bilingual education: Transitional bilingual education is an educational approach designed to help non-native English speakers develop proficiency in English while still receiving instruction in their native language. This model typically begins with instruction primarily in the student's first language and gradually shifts to English, aiming to support students during their transition into mainstream English-speaking classrooms. This approach highlights the importance of balancing societal needs for English proficiency with the individual linguistic identity and background of each student.
Two-way immersion: Two-way immersion is a bilingual education model designed to integrate students from different language backgrounds in a single classroom, with the goal of promoting bilingualism and biliteracy. This approach supports both native English speakers and native speakers of another language, allowing them to learn from each other while mastering content in both languages. By fostering an inclusive environment, two-way immersion enhances cross-cultural understanding and language proficiency.