Teaching Bilinguals

       As educators, we can't no longer expect the majority of our students to be predominately English

speakers, the number of immigrant students is dramatically increasing. School districts can no longer

ignore the need to adjust insctructional programs to better serve immigrants students. The article and

the videos this week, presented many important ideas that can make teaching more efficient.
     
       While watching the videos, I realized that many teachers allowed students to use their home

language to complete assignments. The question,should students use their home language in the

classroom always intrigued me. Although I strongly believe that its very important for emergent

bilinguals to practice English, yet being able to use a home language in the classroom it's also very

beneficial. Let's consider the fact that a student may have a contribution to share with the classroom,

 but because of a language barrier, may not be able to do so. In order to be successful every student

must be understood in the classroom, therefore when its necessary you must allow students to use their

first language and then come back to the target one.
   
       Another  interesting idea was brought up in Ms. Aponte's classroom. According to her in a dual-

language school students are expected to become not only bilingual, but also biliterate, students

understand that they can't suppress their Spanish,they bring that in and learn with it. In the other hand,

in a ESL classroom, students are expected to become bilingual, build their academic skills only

English and use their first language only when its necessary.Although, both of these programs have

various benefits,I believe that Bilingual Education provides students an opportunity to develop skills

that they are not able to develop in ESL classes.






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