This chapter discusses dual language proficiency. "Bilingual individuals experience cognitive and linguistic advantages when compared to monolinguals, performing better on tests of divergent thinking, pattern recognition, problem solving, and metalinguistic awareness" (LDR, 315). Not only are these great advantages, but bilingual students/adults have so many more job opportunities than monolingual people. The most basic stages of bilingual education are: continuing to develop in the L1, learning the L2, receiving instruction in content areas, and showing pride of the primary culture. The submersion technique requires the ELL students being placed in a monolingual classroom without any L2 supports. I have seen this process in action when I was working at a school in San Bernardino. We had a student enroll in the school after being in the US for 3 weeks. He had no L2 whatsoever. He was placed in an English only classroom, and there were no supports on campus to help with his language transition and acquisition. Because he did not understand the language, he started to act out. He became a major behavior on the campus. I assume that he acted out to be able to leave the classroom. I also assume that he was extremely bored in the class and had no idea what was going on. I wonder, would I have acted the same if in the same situation? I think that I would have either whithered away in the cracks of the system, or I would have acted out just like this student did.
Dual literacy focuses on the 4 areas of: speaking, reading, listening, and writing in both L1 and L2 languages. This way the classrooms are able to focus on all areas and support the development of both languages. The student now becomes an asset to the school rather than a liability. Many parents see the advantages of a bilingual classroom and will usually encourage their students to participate. There is a charter school in San Bernardino that offers the dual language literacy program. I have a friend that has enrolled her only English speaking children there and states that her kids should be bilingual by the time they complete 5th grade. I know and understand some Spanish, and after speaking with her children, I KNOW that this program works, I wish that these were developed years ago so we all could have benefited from being bilingual! Listed below is a website that addresses the dual literacy discussion.
http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogposts/2009/preguntas_preguntas_what_do_we_know_about_dual_language_learners_in_pre_k-18443
Lindsy Hughes writes, "After reading previous texts about language of the majority being a feature of power, I can see how this program would promote equality and acceptance among the students". I agree with Lindsy, having a dual immersion classroom would definitely promote equality and build confidence among the students.
ReplyDeleteTiffany writes, "Currently in San Bernardino City Unified, they offer Dual Immersion classes at different school sites. The goal is for all Dual Immersion students to be able to speak, read, and write in English and Spanish in all academic areas after continued attendance in the program for 5 years". I am aware of this program in SBCUSD, however it was only available at the charter school, are the public schools adopting this curriculum as well?