Comparing Attitudes of First-Grade Dual Language Immersion Versus Mainstream English Students

• In Event: 63.056 - Explorations of Parents', Teachers', and Students' Attitudes and Ideologies Toward Languages in Schools

Abstract

In a predominantly Latino school, students’ attitudes in first grade two-way dual language classes were compared with those of students in mainstream English classes. Questionnaires focused on attitudes toward activities such as reading, and speaking with relatives, in English vs. Spanish. Results for the sample of 81 students indicated that for attitudes toward Spanish, both English language learners and initial English speakers in the dual language classes had higher means, generally at statistically significant levels. Analysis of the whole sample indicated advantages for dual students on some measures of biculturalism. Including also data from parents, the study confirmed that differences previously found for students at higher grade levels emerge early on in dual language and mainstream programs.

Author

• Nicholas C. Block, Biola University