Dual Language Use in Classrooms

To create an inclusive environment and celebrate the diversity and talents of students within the classroom

To validate the linguistic and cultural experiences of the whole child

L1 provides a foundation of transferrable skills from one language to another

Students will fall back on their L1 when they have not yet acquired certain skills in the L2 and so it is imperative that the teacher should not demonize using the L1 but should encourage it as a tool to help the student acquire new skills

Educators should be proactive in letting students retain their home languages to stay connected to their families and cultural identities

Other students will gain access to the understandings of different languages and sensitivities to different cultures

Evidence of high failure rates for ESL students across Canada and educators need to adapt to the needs of today's classrooms

All teachers in the school are ELL teachers and it should not fall on just ESL teachers to reach the needs of all students

Instruction should promote active engagement for students to develop self-regulation and awareness of their learning processess

Students should be provided with opportunities to build on their previous knowledge and understanding

New ELLs can write in their L1, allowing them to be involved in class activities

ELLs can develop ideas in their L1

ELLs can work with same language partners

Educators can develop learning opportunities that take advantage of the first languages spoken in the class

Students can create dual-language assignments

Have students bring in different literacy pieces from their L1s and have students translate them to English

Students maintain their identity and ability to use their L1 to communicate with their parents/ grandparents

A multilingual/ dual language approach allows students to build on the experiences and knowledge that they already know

This approach allows teachers to build on students abilities and talents, which in turn boosts their self-esteem

Research indicates that bilingualism has positive effects on children's linguistic and educational development

Research suggests that bilingual students may also develop more flexibility in their thinking

Learning is easier for student's when they understand concepts in their L1 and just need to relearn labels in an L2 or L3.

Increased social interactions between students with different L1's create inclusive environments where different languages are celebrated

Educators should recognize that parents of ELLs in Ontario classrooms may have had very different experiences from Ontario-born parents

Help parents to become more engaged in their child's learning by telling them the benefits of using their L1. Parents can get students to explain new concepts in the L1.

Help parents to understand the reality of ELLs possibly losing their L1 and ability to communicate with family

Explain the benefits of a dual language approach in terms of self-esteem, acquisition of new skills, and benefits on overall cognitive development

Explain to parents the benefits of students being multilingual in the globalized world

Explain the value of inviting multiple languages into the classroom for ALL students and celebrate the diversity of languages in the classroom with parents

Parents can be involved with dual language assignments and see some of the benefits of this approach first-hand