The Multiple Benefits of Dual Language - Assignment Example

Assignment #12 Handwritten answers (for your discussion in not mandatory) Typed answers: Due Fri 3/21(12:00 noon) by e-mailName Goals: To help you understand the main idea of the articles. To facilitate your discussion with your classmates. To prepare you for Essay#4 assignmentReading: “The Multiple Benefits of Dual Language “By Thomas and CollierDirections: 1. Please read/annotate the texts2. Based on 1, please answer the questions in the following pages. Each answer should be in a paragraph form 1What is unique about dual language immersion programs as compared to the other types of English language programs?

The unique thing about dual language immersion programs is that it places just as much emphasis on a student’s native tongue as the language they are trying to learn; this works for native English speakers as well as non-native English speakers. Other types of English language programs often remove English learners from a natural learning environment where they can interact with their English speaking peers. 2What is the basic aim of the No Child Left Behind act, and what is its impact on educators?

What are the two flaws of the legislation, according to the authors?The basic goal of the No Child Left Behind Act is to make sure that the academic scores between native English speaking students and non-native English speaking students are of a similar percentile. Educators realize that dual language programs are the best way to go about this. Although according to the authors the legislation is flawed because it compares this years students with last years and it also does not give a timeframe.

3What did Thomas and Collier find about the effectiveness of a dual language program in the Huston, Texas, Independent School District? Thomas and Collier found that in the Houston, Texas, Independent School District the English learner students scored more highly than those in a transitional bilingual program. What they also discovered is that the scores for native speaking English students were also higher than those in the mainstream system. As a bonus, these English speaking students also scored higher in their chosen foreign language than those learning in standalone programs.

Not only did students score higher grades, but they also picked up another language at the same time.4What did Thomas and Collier find about the benefits that native speakers gain from dual language programs? Thomas and Collier found that native speakers who were in dual language programs saw improvements in both their native language and second language. This shows that the programs are effective in equipping students with the right skills to succeed. Native English speaking students can get just as much out of the programs as English learners do.