Bilingual education - Research Paper Example

Two-way bilingual programs (TBP)- extremely beneficial for minority learners at the elementary level- student interactions based on cross-cultural relationships- role of the bilingual teacher- to facilitate meaningful interactions through carefully chosen activities and learning experiences- both native English speakers and minority students benefit from TBP- facilitate interactions among learners from various linguistic and socio-cultural backgrounds. Benefits of BE- language proficiency and academic achievement- promotes trans-cultural and transnational values- promotes multiculturalism, sharing of identities, and a broader enculturation- safeguards against segregation based on racism and stereotyping- fosters better content learning, employment opportunities, creativity, cognitive development-various societal or community benefits.

BE contributing factors-unequal treatment of the linguistic minorities-low academic achievement, low self-esteem, and high dropout rates- can never undermine these positive outcomes of BE. BE as a supporting program for children with limited English proficiency-Hispanic population favor BE- demand from the immigrant community for BE-promotes equality, fraternity and mutual respect among children- need for more authentic studies-significance of NCLB. The use of one’s native tongue to teach a foreign language is generally understood as bilingual education and the system has been found to be effective in the case of learners with limited English proficiency.

There are many researchers who hold that one’s native tongue plays a pivotal role in the teaching learning process among students who lack higher levels of English proficiency. Rossell and Baker have undertaken some remarkable studies on the educational effectiveness of bilingual education. The authors observe that bilingual education in the United States refer to