Curriculum bridging across Chinese and English instructional times in a one-way dual language education program

Abstract

ABSTRACT In response to the limitations presented by restrictive language separation practices in dual language immersion programs, this study describes a curriculum bridging approach that was undertaken by a group of teachers in a one-way Chinese English Dual Language Education program to promote and build on students’ full linguistic repertoires. The present study was conducted in a public charter school where students were mostly English dominant. Focusing on language allocation decisions at different levels, we examine how teachers bridged instruction for continuity and reinforcement of students’ content and language learning across Chinese and English instructional times. The findings also reveal challenges teachers faced in the planning and implementation processes of curriculum bridging, which unearthed varying teacher assumptions about specific subject matters and pedagogical strategies. Implications for further research and suggestions for practice to more effectively utilize and build on students’ full linguistic repertoires are provided.