Dual Language in the Classroom

Students' first languages are a critical foundation for language learning and all learning.

Students can build of skills and knowledge they already have from their L1 and transfer them to english.

Helps students to preserve vital links with their families and cultures.

Helps to build english proficiency, support their identity and self-confidence.

Promotes group work and social interaction with peers which are beneficial to ELLs and all.

Helps them to understand their own cultural and family values.

Enhances diversity and promotes positive attitudes towards language learning.

Allows students to learn about different languages and cultures.

Works towards promoting inclusivity and reducing stigmas and stereotpyes.

Dual language assignments (e.g. Bilingual advertisement to attract visitors to a country or region).

Create multilingual displays and signs

Provide new students with a room partner or cross-grade tutors to help highlight important concepts being taught.

Have materials in the classroom that our dual language such as books and dictionaries that are available for class use.

Work with same-language partners to discuss and clarify in L1 before switching to english.

Writing journal entries, drafts, and outlines.

Meet with parents and get to know student and family to help find out what strategies might work best for the child.

Educators take an interest in learning about the students' backgrounds, cultures, languages.

Putting in effort to learn about their culture and language allows them to feel respected and important.

Provide parents with an open line of communication and access to resources and information on dual language programs (and programs in general).

Provide parents with memos and information packages that are also translated in the L1 so they can have a better understanding.

Have meetings and discussions with parents to update them on progress and answer any questions they may have.

Support self-identity and self confidence

Promote positive attitudes towards other cultures and languages

Heightened cultural awareness

Promotes inclusivity and builds community.

Promotes academic achievement for ELLs and native English speaking groups in the dual programs.

Greater metalinguistic awareness and increased cognition