Dual Language Education in the U.S.

Is it a disability or a simple difference?

$890 million in Title III grants moved to the federal office of English language acquisition in December.

I have been the principal at Georgia Brown Elementary School for five years, but my relationship with the school began many years ago when my own children were students there and I began substitute teaching. It’s been a real joy to see the school grow and change over those years and develop the amazing dual immersion program that it has today. Dual immersion programs allow English language learners to continue their journey in their native language—Spanish, at our school. The more proficient students are in their primary language, the faster they are able to transfer those skills to a second

AMHERST — The leader of a successful dual-language program at Fort River School is calling on the Amherst School Committee for a continued commitment to keep and expand the program now that the district has lost a state grant.Katie Richardson

PROVINCETOWN — When Provincetown International Baccalaureate Schools students enter the classroom of their new Italian instructor, Tiziana Murray, they’re faced with an immediate challenge: a sentence on the board in […]

Migrant students arrived in U.S. schools in unprecedented numbers. How schools are rising to the opportunity—and navigating the challenges.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating exciting new opportunities for educators to engage students in the classroom, update learning activities, and build comprehensive learning experiences that develop 21st-century skills. For institutions, the rapid launch of various AI tools at scale is a double-edged sword. It creates a wealth of opportunities to improve and support learning, while also elevating the need for crafting a thoughtful policy approach that supports learning programs and ensures holistic, human-informed outcomes that fulfill educational objectives. For those just beginning to explore the pros and cons of AI in their programs, it is beneficial to learn more about

Teaching students social–emotional skills like collaboration, communication, decision-making, and confidence sets them up for success in endless everyday scenarios. These skills especially help students who may have experienced a delay in social and emotional learning during the pandemic. Students with well-developed social–emotional skills (SEL)1 are more likely to have:• Increased academic achievement; • Improved prosocial attitudes and behaviors; • A greater understanding of themselves and ability to empathize with others; • Reduced emotional stress. Students reap the highest rewards when you embed SEL into your curriculum and instruction thoughtfully and intentionally—and not as a standalone lesson or program. SEL empowers

Despite one of the most brutal winter storms on record in Portland, Oregon, which stranded many on roads and airports, US secretary of education Miguel Cardona made his way across the country to speak at the 2023 National Association of Bilingual Education Annual Conference. He joined thousands of educators who had also traveled to the conference despite the harsh and dangerous weather. Meeting him and then hearing his opening remarks made me reflect on how vital leadership is in creating the right conditions for students and teachers to thrive, even when faced with metaphorical winter storms. What struck me most

Fluency in multiple languages can increase opportunities and lead to remarkable achievements. As US education secretary Dr. Miguel Cardona shared, “My bilingualism and biculturalism would someday be my superpower.” Recent data from California demonstrates that K–12 students who are fluent in English and another language outperform their monolingual counterparts across all grades and content areas.1 There is a chasm, however, between what we know and what we have incorporated into classroom practices, education policies, and popular opinion about children who are multilingual. Persistent myths, misconceptions, and overt bigotry underlie many of the significant instructional obstacles faced by multilingual learners. One

This year, Indian Pines Elementary School became the third elementary in the School District of Palm Beach County to add Haitian-Creole to its Dual Language Program.

Former Arizona students said their experience in the full immersion learning model to teach English language contributed to an educational experience that felt isolating, confusing and sometimes even depressing - and also left them lagging behind their peers in other subjects.

The Escondido Adult School has launched a new program in which former ESL students return as ambassadors to help new language students.

English learners’ equitable access to education remains unfilled, experts identify key barriers and remain hopeful for the next 50 years.

Last month, management of Title III—the state grants for improving instruction of English learners, amounting to $890 million (FY2023)—returned to the US Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), having been under the remit of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) for the last 15 years. The move will likely increase attention on, and maybe even funding for, multilingual learners.Back in February, education secretary Miguel Cardona notified Congress of his intention to move functions involving the administration of state-administered grants under Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) from OESE to OELA, where they

Grace Mayer, an art teacher at Milagro Middle School and president of the local branch of the National Education Association, backed the push to expand the district's bilingual programs.

An official resolution in support of bilingual education is expected to go before the school board Jan. 25.

Why send your child to an international school? The German International School Chicago director explains the many benefits.

San Antonio ISD expecting stronger dual language programs amid school closures

One day while at work, I was speaking with one of our English teachers about Spanish, and he mentioned that he had a working ability in Spanish and, while not fluent, he considered himself a yo sabo person. While I recognized the error, I didn’t correct him. A few days later I saw a news headline about “No Sabo Kids.” Remembering what my colleague had said, I decided to read the article. Upon further discussion with my colleague, he said he knew the correct form but had been overthinking it and hadn’t realized he had made the error. Either way,

Only 10% of people in the U.S. speak a foreign language proficiently. In comparison, in Europe, 65% of people can speak a second language other than their native tongue. Although the difference is drastic, these numbers should not come as a surprise. For many years, American public schools have been completely lacking when it comes to language education. For a country that used to hail itself as a cultural melting pot, the U.S.’ foreign language education programs are greatly impaired. Foreign language education has been shown to be beneficial in enhancing memory, problem-solving and even aptitude in other subjects. In addition, foreign language increases a student’s knowledge of the world, allowing them to be informed about different cultures. It goes without saying, therefore, that American foreign language education needs improvement.

When Mayra Valtierrez talks about the students in New Mexico public schools who are learning English, one thing becomes clear: It’s an incredibl

For one reading class, Superintendent Mike Miles said instruction would focus on English, even if it meant risking state funding for dual-language programs. Parents say it goes further than that, adding that their kids are receiving no assistance in Spanish at all.

Half of Latinos who don't speak Spanish well say they've been shamed for it, a Pew survey found. Experts say that raises questions of identity.

Breaking down math steps into clear language is one way teachers can help English-learners grasp both the content and academic language.