Bringing “Bilingualism” Back to Bilingual Education Programs

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Research in Bilingual Education

Abstract

Since the 1980’s, there has been a trend nationwide towards shifting away from providing instruction in students’ home languages through bilingual education to English only immersion or English as a second language programs. This study focuses on 3 schools in New York that have above state average on education emergent bilinguals (also known as English language learners) and that have bilingual education programs that aim to develop bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish. The presentation provides an in depth look at how three schools organize their bilingual education and discuss how teachers are empowered to strengthen their bilingual education programs and the instructional choices that they make to develop bilingualism and biliteracy.

Authors

• Maria Teresa Sanchez, The Graduate Center - CUNY

• Ivana Espinet, CUNY - Graduate Center

• Kate Seltzer, CUNY - Graduate Center