Giving Students a Voice
An Inside Look at Bilingual Education
Why is Bilingual Education Important for everyone?
As we prepare to educate our youth with 21st century skills in this global economy we must first acknowledge and strengthen the diversity that exists within our own borders so we are better equipped to support each other and expand by creating global collaborations and partnerships. We do this by first giving our students a voice.
Did you know ... ?
Did you know that more than 5 million residents in Texas speak a language other than English at home? There are 145 languages spoken in Houston alone (U.S. Census, 2015). Below you will find some interesting facts about one school district in Houston, Fort Bend ISD. You will also see how languages affect each and every state within the United States and why we need to invest in high quality bilingual education.
Fort Bend ISD Fast Facts
Percentage of Public School Students Who are English Language Learners, By state: School year 2012–13
Languages Spoken in the 15 Largest Metro Areas
The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain (Nacamulli, 2015)
Houston's Critical Shortage
According to the Department of Education (2015), Texas is currently experiencing a critical shortage of bilingual & ESL teachers. "The cultural and linguistic diversity in today’s classrooms creates unprecedented demands for teachers to develop knowledge and skills which meet the needs of the ESL learners in their classes" (Abbott, Aberdeen, & Dunn, 2012, p.13). How prepared are our teachers? Do we have adequate programs in place? "Teachers receiving training in bilingual education are provided specialized skills... all teachers obtaining generalized preparation receive minimal training in multicultural curricula, and even less in the area of bilingual education" (Clark & Flores, 1997, p. 338).
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart" - Nelson Mandela.
Houston's Bilingual Programs
- Pull Out Classroom Instruction
- Content-Based Classroom Instruction
- Dual Language Immersion Programs
- Fort Bend ISD has 15 bilingual elementary campuses
- Fort Bend ISD has 38 Elementary, 13 Middle Schools and 13 High Schools that offer ESL programs
(Fort Bend ISD, 2015)
HOUSTON ISD
- Transitional Bilingual Programs
- Dual Language Immersion Programs
- Bilingual Cultural Heritage Program
- Houston ISD has 26 Elementary, 2 Middle Schools, 2 K-8 Academies and one High School dual language programs
(Houston ISD, 2015)
According to Galloway, Gómez, Irby, Lara-Alecio, and Rodriguez (2004) the majority of Texas students are served in transitional bilingual programs (49%) or ESL programs (38%). Both of these programs are considered deficient models. "Research studies have indicated that academic achievement [in dual language programs] is very high for both language majority and language minority children." (p. 38). Student pull out ESL is the most common program for ESL and it is the most expensive and least effective program model (p. 36).
One way to successfully support Bilingualism is with Dual Language Programs
Proposals Moving Forward
In a recent study done by Abbot, Aberdeen, & Dunn (2012) teachers identified six main professional development needs and concerns. They are as follows a) cultural competency, b) practical teaching strategies, c) ESL teaching techniques, d) communication skills for dealing with ESL students and their parents e) techniques for teaching multilevel classes and f) knowledge of appropriate resources for ESL learners (p. 8).
A Positive Glance at Bilingual Education
How To Get Involved & Recommendations for Houston
Essential Components in Bilingual Education
- Create solid curriculum
- Include each of the four language competencies
- Differentiated learning
- Teach using multiple techniques
- Varied group activities
- Increase high order thinking
- Teach grammar in context
- Build vocabulary
- Interactive conversation opportunity
- Reading and writing
- Cross cultural awareness
- Assess regularly
Bilingual Education Overview
According to the U.S. Census (2015), over 1/3 of Houston residents speak a language other than English at home (US Census, 2015). Educators need to focus on creating and maintaining comprehensive, high quality ESL programs and advocating for them. Everyone is affected by our nations bilingual citizens. Schools must begin to support English Language Learners and encourage others to support bilingual education. The benefits bilingualism has on both our domestic and global economies is immense. As we prepare our youth with 21st century skills, we must also change our schools to include outstanding bilingual programs and educate our communities on how bilingual education is essential.