Dual Language ie "DL"

Importance of valuing L1

Academic

Supports dev. of L2

provides language capital

bilingualism may promote flexibility in processing information

Socio/Emotional

Preserves culture and connection to family/heritage

Makes student feel valued and included (self-esteem, confidence)

DL writing activities ie. students write using L1 with a partner in their journals, personal narratives etc.

Create DL texts/artifacts ie. books, pamphlets, instructional pieces

Students read DL books, have close captioning available in L1, listen to music in students' L1

childrenslibrary.org —contains a variety of DL books

Jim Cummins discusses "Translanguage"

Research Team in New York provides resources —ie. videos, webinars etc.—to promote translanguage in the classroom https://www.cuny-nysieb.org/

Educator

encourage use of L1 explicitly through feedback, activities, materials used in class etc.

learn about the students' culture, and their home country's history, geography and political climate

speak to family about the benefits of retaining L1

encourage family to continue to speak/instruct their child in their mother tongue

encourage family to be a part of school activities ie. volunteer, be guests at different school events