Dual Language Classrooms

Dual language learners are children learning two or more languages at the same time, as well as those learning a second language while continuing to develop their first (or home) language (Dual language learning, 2008). The number of children being raised in bilingual homes is large and growing, however the mechanism of language development in children from bilingual homes is not well described or understood (Hoff et al., 2011). A large body of research has refuted the opinion that dual language input may confuse children, and other research indicates that children exposed to two languages can distinguish those languages from infancy, learn two phonological systems, two vocabularies and two grammars (Kova´cs & Mehler, 2009a; Petitto,

To learn a second languages is very important because people have better opportunities in life. For children from ages five and under it is the best time to learn as many languages. Angele Sancho Passe, the author of “Dual-Language Learners (Birth to Grade 3)”, talks about techniques for teaching English in a multilingual classroom and how reading in english to dual-language learners helps teach them oral language skills. Patton O. Tabors, the author of “One Child, Two Languages”, talks about writing case studies of children displaying different second language abilities. In the article, “Ways to Introduce Your Kids to Foreign Languages” by Grace Hwang Lynch, believes two-way bilingual immersion is a helpful way to introduce foreign languages

Even though Brown v. Board of Education ruled segregation in schools unconstitutional, it exists in a different form today. While the most students in schools are in normal classes, English Language Learners are often separated from the rest of the student body. These students, mostly hispanic immigrants, are put in special classes separate from the main student body where they are given special English instruction. They rarely interact with the main student body, and it often seems that they go to a different school. Dual Language Education solves this problem. In Dual Language Education, all students are taught together. This benefits both the English Learners and the English speakers both academically and socially and better

The amount of young children who are acquiring English as a second or even third language in the early care and education (ECE) setting as well as K-12 public classrooms have amplified across the United States in recent years (Espinosa, 2015, p. 40). These young children that are acquiring two or more languages concurrently, or learning a second language along with refining their native language are considered dual language learners (DLLs) (Espinosa, 2015, p. 40). The number of DLLs has multiplied tremendously and now accounts for 25% of all children living in the United States (p. 40). The Office of Head Start (2011) state that fifty-nine percent of the children enrolled in the Head Start Programs were from racial or ethnic minority families, 37% were Hispanic/Latino and more than 30% were dual language learners (as cited in Espinosa, 2015, p. 40). Unfortunately, starting from the preschool stage and throughout high school, the educational achievements of DLLs tend to

People of all ages constantly learn how to speak multiple languages. Children are taught to become bilingual, which increases their knowledge. A young boy named Richard Rodriguez grew up in San Francisco, California with a household of Spanish speaking family members. Rodriguez barely knew English when he entered his early years of Elementary school. Through the course of his education Rodriguez took note of how different he was from his family, and slowly began to lose his heritage. Rodriguez’s family embarrassed him since he was categorized as a Scholarship boy, which means a good student yet also a troubled son whose moderately endowed (Rodriguez 19).

As a current 5th grade teacher through Teach for America and Masters’ candidate at the Relay Graduate School of Education, I believe I would be an excellent fit for the English Teaching Assistantship in Brazil. Raised myself in a bilingual household, my experience teaching English as a Second Language students in Passaic, New Jersey has strengthened my language skills. Teaching in a bilingual classroom (English and Spanish), I teach a range of students: some only speak their native language while other students are quickly approaching proficiency in English. This has helped me switch between English and Spanish seamlessly—and guide others to do the same, a skill I would like to bring to learners in Brazil. Further, I am now capable of helping others think metacognitively about the process. In addition to being fluent in English and Spanish, I have taken on Portuguese to be my third language. Although I have conversational skills now, I am hoping to reach the intermediate level in the next year and greatly boost these skills through interactions in Brazil. As well as the language skills I’ve gained, I have learned to create engaging lessons and units that scaffold information to help increase understanding. I have also learned to create my own handouts, worksheets, and charts to assure student learning. As a teaching assistant, these fundamental skills will assure I can focus on teaching and learning from my students, instead of the basics of teaching. I am also excited to

This model supports the use of both the native language and the new language within the daily teaching curriculum (Ray, 2008). The No Child Left Behind Act threatens the Dual Language method and negatively impacts bilingual education because of the high degree of emphasis that is placed on standardized testing. The weight of standardized testing that is felt from the state all the way down to the classroom level has forced curriculum to focus on the passing of these tests. Because bilingual students must take the standardized test in English, this has caused a shift in the landscape of bilingual education. Teachers of bilingual students are abandoning the DL method in favor of a more English only environment as a means to help students pass standardized tests (Ray, 2008). This negates the purpose of bilingual education and decreases the benefits that these students receive while learning in a dual language

There are so many diverse student groups in the United States. Two that are really of interest to me are English language learners (ELL), and students in foster care. Though they have many similarities, they are also vastly different.

Writing instruction has become one of the most important issues in educational practices. According to the United States Immigration Policy (2012) based on data from the Census Bureau, there has been a significant rise of Immigration into the United States, since the 1940's from less than 1 million to 10 million in 2010. A large increase in immigrants into the United States has increased the demand for English language instruction significantly (Mei Lin, 2015). With this in mind the educational practices taking place in today's schools become a center of focus, what should be taught in the classroom and what programs can give the best outcome.

The dissertation that met the action research (AR) this student found to examine was “The Biliteracy Achievement of Latino English Learners in Two-Way Immersion Elementary Programs.” This study focused on the “biliteracy achievement of Latino English learners in two program models of two-way immersion to determine if learning two languages sequentially is indeed more effective for English Learners” (Moraga, 2010, p.74). There was several research questions discussed throughout this study. However, the one question this student mostly interesting on was “How are data used at school site level to determine the biliteracy attainment of English learners?” (p. 74). This question was the most relevant to this learner because she wanted to examine

ELL (English Language Learner) are individuals whose first language is not English and who are presently learning English. The term ELL can envelop an extensive variety of proficiencies in English from truly negligible abilities to very familiar. In schools and locale ELL may be utilized to mean the same as constrained English capable (LEP), however in fact it doesn't mean the same thing. It's critical to comprehend what a content or speaker considers ELL to mean.

When I went into Elementary school my English was very limited. I was put into a Bilingual class where I would be pulled out from my Grammar and Math class so that I could learn English. The class was like a basic online class. I learned how to say my name, age, and other introductory phrases. In school I was taught how to use words; I was not taught how to speak the English language. After school, I would watch Yugioh and Pokemon with my cousin and brother. My friends from school would use common English idioms, and I would take time to understand what they meant. I did not know the difference between a literal and metaphorical phrase. When I watched Pokemon, I would try my hardest to remember the jokes, puns, idioms, and metaphors they used

This article is about the different Dual Language programs available and their effectiveness. It analyzes different researches and literature available on this topic and it evaluates its efficacy and results after implementation. The article begins by explaining the 90:10 and 50:50 Dual Language model and its successful outcomes. It explains that students in the Dual Language programs become proficient in two languages and by the time the reach fifth grade they are performing at or above their monolingual peers. It also states the challenges these programs face, including instruction, assessments, materials and curriculum. It also provides ideas that can help the program work effectively.

In the article, I read you receive information that is based on research that has been done on dual language learners and how they should receive a longer support in helping them learn two fluent languages. Nemeth states that children that are dual language learners are receiving less success in learning English because they are being bombarded by a whole different language. Children are not sponges that can be observe a full language and be able to speak it fluently like maybe an adult can, they need support (Nemeth). This article can be used to show parents and teachers that we need to establishing a stronger support system that allows children that are dual language learns to receive classes that support both their languages, it can be explained

The perpetuation of poverty occurs in many ways in America one of which is educational inequities. Unfortunately, poor schools produce students which are ill-prepared to deal with the demands of college. This may be attributed to policies which negate the importance of bilingual/bicultural education for Latino students, especially those who are nonnative English speakers (Casas and Ryan, 2010). Take for example Proposition 227, in California which establishes the official language as English, undercutting the importance and notion of bicultural education (Casas and Ryan, 2010), something which appears to show promise for nonnative English speakers as a means to possibly close the academic disparities between Latinos and other groups. Improvements