- A bilingual program based on classrooms containing equal numbers of language minority and language majority students.
- Example: 50% Spanish speakers and 50% English speakers
Variety of terms
Two Way Immersion,
Developmental Bilingual Education, Bilingual Immersion, Double
Immersion
Began in the 1960’s
Dade County Florida
Developed by US Cuban
community
Original program was
in Spanish/English
Meant to be a
temporary program
The Rise of Dual Language Schools in the U.S.
Four essential characteristics for an efficient
Bilingual program:
- A language other than English is used at least 50% of the time.
- In each period of instruction only one language is used.
- Both English and non-English speakers are represented in equal numbers.
- Minority and majority students are integrated in all lessons.
The Objective Is...
- To produce thoroughly bilingual, biliterate, and multicultural children
- Students will perform at or above academic grade level in two languages
- To promote positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors and high self-esteem
Piaget and Bilingualism
Transitional
- Use of two languages for more than four grades
Immersion
- Increases proficiency in two languages
- Contains a balanced mixture of children from two or more language backgrounds
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