Bilingual Education Programs Research Articles

EVALUATING A BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IN SPAIN: THE IMPACT BEYOND FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Bilingual education programs, which consist of doing a substantial part of the instruction in a language different from the native language of the students, exist in several countries like the United States, India, and Spain. While the economic benefits of knowing a second language are well established, the potential effects over the learning of other subjects have received much less attention. We evaluate a program that introduced bilingual education (in English and Spanish) in primary education in a group of public schools of the Madrid region in 2004. Under this program, students not only study English as a foreign language but also some other subjects (at least Science, History, and Geography) are taught in English. In order to evaluate the program, a standardized test for all sixth grade students in Madrid on the skills considered “indispensable” at that age is our measure of the outcome of primary education. Our results indicate that there is a clearly negative effect on the exam results for the subject taught in English, for children whose parents have less than upper secondary education. This negative effect is a composite of two phenomena: the effect of the program on the student's knowledge of the subject and a reflection of the student ability to do the test in their native language when English is the medium of instruction. Although we are not able to separate quantitatively these two effects, the composite effect has a relevant interest, because the results for exams taken in Spanish are the measures that determine academic progression in the Spanish system. In contrast with the previous result, there is no significant effect for anyone on mathematical and reading skills, which were taught in Spanish. (JEL H40, I21, I28)

Students' use of their plurilingual resources in Australian schools

Research involving the plurilingualism of young people has begun to focus upon how we must re-conceptualise language learning to acknowledge the language resources of children with plurilingual experiences. This is particularly important in countries like Australia with a traditionally monolingual mindset embedded in policy, education, and the views of much of the community. Growing arguments posit that it is more important to focus on the resourceful use of language than attempts to measure skill, competence, or fluency in one language. In this paper, the movement between languages of children with a range of linguistic repertoires is explored in the Australian context. Data are taken from student and teacher interviews and focus groups with parents across five different primary schools, each with a bilingual education programme. The paper argues that bilingual programmes aimed at monolingual background students can have benefits for more than one kind of plurilingual student. It was found that plurilingual children drew on their home language(s) as a resource in school contexts where other languages were used, showed an increased enjoyment of learning, and developed learning strategies which built on their plurilingual experiences. Additionally, the data showed how teachers in these contexts worked towards expanding their own linguistic repertoires.

The dialogues between content and language: Cautions and challenges in the emergence of a bilingual education program

The dialogues between content and language: Cautions and challenges in the emergence of a bilingual education program

The dialogues between content and language: Cautions and challenges in the emergence of a bilingual education program

This paper presents a set of ideas about the basics for developing interdisciplinary dialogues between content (science) and language (English) in bilingual educational processes, under the premise that a satisfactory relationship between those elements help guarantee successful content-based instruction (CBI) in its form known as sheltered instruction . Additionally, a practical example (based on a science curriculum) is presented to demonstrate some principles that inform approaches to teaching such content. Finally, based on the authors’ interdisciplinary work and pedagogical experiences, some recommendations on teaching content and language in bilingual settings are presented in the form of cautions (a balance of actions) and challenges (prospects).

The Impact of Bilingual Literacy and Education Level on Ethnic Pride from the Conflict Theoretical Perspective: A Case Study of Chinese Korean Minority Students in Yanbian

AbstractThis article focuses on the impact of Korean minority students’ bilingual proficiency, multi-dimensional knowledge and educational stage on their ethnic pride. Analysis of data collected from 693 Chinese Korean minority high school and university students tests three hypotheses from the conflict theoretical perspective: (1) Korean minority students’ bilingual proficiency positively impacts on their ethnic pride, (2) their multi-dimensional knowledge impacts on their ethnic pride positively but differently, (3) from high school to university, their ethnic pride is strengthened as they are further exposed to the bilingual education programme. The analysis indicates that bilingual proficiency and minority knowledge positively contribute to students’ ethnic pride, but their diaspora knowledge and educational level have negative impacts on their ethnic pride. The Korean minority's pragmatic pursuit of upward mobility and the increasing conflicts it causes over time could contextually explain why their ...

Educator language ideologies and a top-down dual language program

ABSTRACTDual language bilingual education (DLBE) programs are framed to reflect pluralist discourses (de Jong, E. [2013]. “Policy Discourses and U.S. Language in Education Policies.” Peabody Journal of Education 88 (1): 98–111) and affiliated language ideologies. The continued expansion of DLBE programs not surprisingly brings to light the diverse and ever-changing landscape of educator language ideologies. This survey-based study used inferential statistics and qualitative thematic analysis to explore the language ideologies of a random sample of administrators and teachers involved in a district-wide, top-down implementation of a DLBE program in a large urban school district. The following three research questions guided our investigation: (1)What are prevalent educator language ideologies in DLBE schools? (2) How and to what extent do these language ideologies vary by: participation in the DLBE, level of teaching experience, educator's home language, and degree of DLBE training? (3) How do educators perceive the attempted program shift to DLBE? Eight language ideologies including languages other than English (OTE) as endowments and multiple languages as a problem accounted for 46% of the variance in the data. All four experiential variables differentiated ideological orientation. Educators reported that ideological tensions and lack of support influenced their implementation.

Vocabulary and Sentence Structure in Emergent Spanish Literacy

AbstractDual language and bilingual education programs are increasing in number and popularity across the country. However, little information is available on how to teach children to read and write in Spanish. This article explores some of the similarities and differences in vocabulary and sentence structure in Spanish and English and considers the resulting implications for teaching emergent Spanish literacy. Understanding linguistic aspects of both languages enables teachers to better support the development of biliteracy and bilingualism.

Acquisition of the Official Language for Children of Minorities at Latvian Preschool Educational Establishments: Evaluation of the Situation

<p><em>In the 21<sup>st</sup> century the issue about children of minorities, who in preschool beside their mother tongue also acquire the official language at a high level, is a pending matter. However, there are not any normative documents designed in Latvia, which would determine implementation of compulsory bilingual education programmes in preschool, therefore, the possibility for children of minorities to develop the skills of the official language at an early age is undertaken by teachers. The aim of the research is to evaluate the possibilities for children of minorities to acquire the official language at preschool educational establishments for minorities of Latvia and where the language of instruction is Latvian. During the research from October till December in 2014 (1) observations were made in 13 preschool groups with children of different age: in six groups where the language of instruction is Latvian and in seven groups of minorities, (2) three expert interviews with specialists of bilingual education were carried out. Opinions expressed by the experts correspond with the information obtained from the observations and confirm the idea, that a successful development of the Latvian language for children of minorities at an early age is promoted by (1) the official language skills and professional competence of the teachers, (2) the use of material resources and implementation of variedmethods during the game activities and after class activities, (3) cooperation between the teacher of Latvian, the group teacher and parents, (4) the teacher’s individual support and emotionally enabling environment.In the discussion the issue is being raised about the necessary support for preschool teachers’ work with children of minorities in preschool educational establishments for minorities and where the language of instruction is Latvian.</em></p><p> </p>

El Programa de Educación Intercultural Bilingüe y sus resultados: ¿perpetuando la discriminación?

In previous studies carried out about the linguistic and cultural situation of indigenous communities, we have identified the gap in traditional circuits of production and reproduction of indigenous languages as one of the main reasons for the loss of their vitality. Public authorities, indigenous organizations as well as intellectuals have all stated the need for correcting this problem by means of initiatives such as the Intercultural Bilingual Education Program (PEIB). In this article, we undertake a critical assessment of this program, vis-a-vis Chile’s multilingual and multicultural character, by analyzing several experiences carried out in rural and urban schools throughout the country. As a result, we found that, at a structural level, there are not enough resources to ensure the initiative’s continuity and that it depends on the individual performance of teachers, principals and communities rather than the institutions that should be responsible (National Corporation for Indigenous Development [CONADI], Ministerio de Educacion [MINEDUC]). At an intercultural level, the evidence points out to conflicts among social representations with regard to the pedagogical content about indigenous language and culture, and the role of “traditional educators” as a way to transmit indigenous cultural knowledge. We conclude that public policies such as the PEIB end up propagating the very asymmetric relationships and the social representations they are supposed to overcome in relation to indigenous people, that is, indigenous individuals subordinated to «civilized» people, without a voice or an agenda of their own, living in precarious conditions, with a low social status and whose local systems of production and transmission of knowledge lack of legitimacy.

The Intercultural Bilingual Education Program and its results: Perpetuating discrimination?

The Intercultural Bilingual Education Program and its results: Perpetuating discrimination?

Writing Professional Genres in a Second Language: Results from a Spanish University Clil Context

Bilingual educational programmes and projects have increased during the last few years and are currently being implemented in different Spanish universities through new teaching approaches such as CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) or EMI (English-Medium Instruction). Research conducted at university level reveal that university students often have difficulty in performing the cognitive and discursive operations involved in the comprehension and production of written texts. These difficulties aggravate when this written performance is conducted in a non-native language, which is being increasingly demanded to university students participating in CLIL programmes. In Higher Education, both lecturers and students belong to certain communities of knowledge and practice, thus the second language needs to be acquired considering the different genre types used in different subjects as products connected to particular fields of knowledge. The present study analyses the written production of a professional genre type by Engineering university students in a second language (English) at a Spanish university. Results show the relationship between their academic performance (content achievement) and their linguistic awareness of the genre produced in a second language, being the higher marked texts (in terms of content performance) those which show a better writing (language) performance. These differences are more remarkable at a textual and discourse level. Fewer differences between higher and lower-marked texts are found at a sentence level.

Team teaching among mixed messages: Implementing two-way dual language bilingual education at third grade in Texas

This article documents and interrogates top-down district-wide implementation of a two-way dual language bilingual education (DLBE) program in a large urban district. We carried out a language policy ethnography to explore the way two schools’ teams of third grade teachers worked together to negotiate the intersection of DLBE implementation and high stakes accountability pressures. There appears to be inherent tension between preparing children for monolingual standardized tests, and meeting DLBE program goals of bilingualism, biliteracy, high academic achievement and cross-cultural competence. The pressure to prepare children for high-stakes testing ultimately led to the dismantling of the DLBE program in both schools. Lack of training, insufficient materials and conflicting curricular mandates were further obstacles at both schools. There were important contextual differences, however; in one school, teacher agency and collaboration led to far more enriched educational experiences for children, while in the other rote test preparation took over. We recommend investment in teacher professional development and teacher agency. Ultimately, for DLBE programs to succeed, high stakes testing must give way to multiple-measure accountability that matches language program goals.

Mexican Americans and the push for culturally relevant education: the bilingual education movement in Tucson, 1958–1969

This essay traces the bilingual education movement that began in Tucson through the efforts of local teachers, university faculty and educational leaders. It is argued that Mexican Americans and their allies played a crucial role in promoting the merits of bilingual education at the local, state and national levels. Their advocacy of Spanish-for-Spanish-speakers programmes as a culturally relevant means of improving educational outcomes for Mexican American students led to a push for bilingual education with the support of the National Education Association. The work that educators from Tucson accomplished focused national attention on the education of Mexican Americans and ultimately contributed to the passage of the Bilingual Education Act of 1968. This legislation sparked a national movement to expand bilingual education programmes throughout the Southwest and other parts of the nation.

Language Learning Policy through the Lens of Language as a Problem, as a Right, and as a Resource

Richard Ruíz first developed the framework of language as a problem, as a right, and as a resource as a way of engaging how we examine language learning policies. This lens remains a useful tool in examining our national language learning policies. This article incorporates the academic work of additional scholars to define the United States’ practices, policies, and outcomes of language as a problem, as a right, and as a resource. Through the use of this framework, we realize that our nation’s bilingual education programs are generating monolingual and limited bilingual students. Equipped with an understanding that our nation is not approaching language as a resource, we must consider looking globally for examples that support generating bilingual and bicultural students.

Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Bilingual Educational Programs: The Prospects of Pilot Programs in Georgia

Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Bilingual Educational Programs: The Prospects of Pilot Programs in Georgia

An Analysis and Comparison of the Vocabulary of Teaching Materials: Exploring Bilingual Programmes in Secondary Education

Abstract The aim of this paper is to analyse how Bilingual Education has been implemented in Spain, more specifically in the Region of Murcia. This paper investigates whether textbooks designed for bilingual programs focus more on the form or the content of the different subjects that make up the curriculum of bilingual programs. The main instruments to carry out this research were surveys given to teachers, classroom observation and the analysis of textbooks designed for both bilingual education programs and traditional ones. The research results suggest that bilingual programs are not working as initially expected and that the textbooks designed for BE are inferior in content and activities to those used in standard programmes.

Impact of bilingual education on student achievement

More than 4.4 million students enrolled in US public schools participate in English language learner programs because of linguistic barriers to learning in regular classrooms. Whether native language instruction should be used in these programs is a contentious issue. Recent studies, using credible research designs for estimating causal impacts, find that bilingual education programs (which use some native language instruction) and English-only programs are not significantly different in their impact on standardized test performance. This finding suggests that it is time to change the focus from use of the native language to program quality.

Toward a Race Radical Vision of Bilingual Education for Kurdish Users in Turkey: A Commentary

This commentary presents a Race Radical Vision (RRV) for Kurdish-Turkish bilingual education in Turkey. A RRV reinforces the need to consciously include issues of racism, imperialism, identity, and local practices in the development of bilingual education teacher education programs that advocate for minoritized language use in all aspects of education. It is argued that without a RRV for bilingual education, the State will represent bilingual education to benefit of own interests, ultimately destroying bilingual education as a strong anti-racist educational practice. Turkey needs a strong RRV of Kurdish-Turkish bilingual education to ensure that racism and colonialism remain in the national educational discourse. This commentary draws on experiences of bilingual education in the United States as well as other countries to show the importance of a RRV for developing bilingual education from a local language rights perspective. It also points out some of the challenges bilingual educators and scholars face when State becomes involved in funding and shaping the anti-racist perspective in bilingual the State takes over the anti-racism practices, especially when the State is tied to neoliberalism and neoliberal ideals of individualism and colorblindness.Keywords: Bilingual education, RRV, Kurdish, Turkey

New speakers of minority languages: the challenging opportunity – Foreword

In this special issue we examine and reflect upon the emergence of “new speak ers” in the context of some of Europe’s minority languages. The “new speaker” label is used here to describe individuals with little or no home or community exposure to a minority language but who instead acquire it through immersion or bilingual educational programs, revitalization projects or as adult language learners. The emergence of this profile of speaker draws our attention to the ways in which minority linguistic communities are changing because of globalization and the new profiles of speakers that this new social order is creating. The concept also focuses our attention on some of the fundamental principles which had for a long time been taken for granted in much sociolinguistic research and in particular, language planning associated with linguistic revitalization (O’Rourke and Pujolar 2013). The authors of the eight articles included in this issue engage with these issues through their analyses of new speaker communities across a variety of European contexts including the Basque Country, Brittany, Catalonia, Corsica, Galicia, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Occitania.

Omani Young Children’s Language Proficiencies: The Outcomes of a Bilingual Education Program

Due to a globalizing world context and contemporary trends in society, today’s parents are more interested in having their children acquire English language skills as early as possible. In Oman, the movement to offer early childhood education in two languages—English and Arabic—has been accelerating. Through the efforts of Sultan Qaboos University, a model Child Care Center (CCC) was established on campus to pioneer bilingual education in the early years of life. This type of educational program also has the potential to impact young children’s development and acquisition of their primary language. In addition, bilingual children’s language usage outside the school in daily communications is another significant topic for study. However, there has been little solid research on this topic. Hence, this research study aimed to assess and evaluate English and primary language proficiency levels of young children enrolled at CCC and their language usage in communications outside the school environment. Implications are discussed and recommendations are made for teachers, parents, policy makers, researchers, and other stakeholders. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p784