The Benefits of a Dual Language Program in Elementary School for Spanish Speaking Students

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ABSTRACT

Dual language is a program which promises great success for English language learners (ELL's). It allows them to maintain their native language or primary language and develop strong literacy skills in it while learning English. Thus, transforming ELL's into Second language learners and Bilingual or multilingual students. Research has also proved that when students develop their primary language literacy skills well enough they are able to transfer those skills to a second language. Thus, they are acquiring a new language.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACTII

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the study1

Perception of Bilingualism2

Statement of the Problem2

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW4

The Importance of Maintaining the Primary Language4

Supporting heritage language5

The Need for Dual Language Programs vs. Other Bilingual Programs5

Benefits of dual language programs Spanish Speaking Elementary Student7

The Multiple Benefits of a Dual Language Program8

Parents' Roles and Perceptions of Bilingual Programs10

Advantages or Disadvantages of Bilingualism12

Increased attention13

Multicultural and interdisciplinary considerations and perspectives14

The two research advantages14

Conclusion15

REFERENCES16

BIBLIOGRAPHY18

APPENDIX21

Table 1: Summary of Related Literature Findings21

Table 1: Summary of Related Literature Findings (Continued)22

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

Dual language or Bilingualism is a complex issue considering the increasing number of individuals speaking English and Spanish in the US, and the effect of these languages that can happen on the lives of the individuals. It is important to research and know the advantages or disadvantages these individuals may have as compared to monolinguals. The ability to speak, understand, perceive, use or promote the use of more than one language is referred as multilingualism or Bilingualism. It is not strange to see that monolingual speakers are outnumbered in the global population in comparison to bilinguals. Cultural openness and globalization are the needs that govern Multilingualism in becoming a social phenomenon. Enhanced executive function are reported in Bilinguals who are highly proficient in two or more languages and are better at some aspects of language learning compared to monolinguals.

Background of the study

According to research findings, children in Elementary School for Spanish Speaking Students (and in general) occasionally mix the odd word in both languages, but such cases are normal at first, especially when the languages have basic words. However, these small errors usually disappear with time. When two languages are well balanced, the bilingual children have an advantage over monolingual children thinking, which means that bilingualism has positive effects on intelligence and other aspects of the child's life. The experts agree that it is better to teach the language to encourage early learning, and allow children to practice two languages from birth, allowing the complete mastery of both languages contrary to what happens if the teaching of the second language takes place from the three years of age. Some experts argue that children exposed to several languages are more creative and develop better problem solving skills. Speaking a second language, if only during the first years of the child education will help program the brain circuits to make it easier to learn additional languages in the future. The important thing at first is that the child will ...