Dual+Language+Immersion

=DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION=

Dual Language Immersion is a type of instruction in which students are taught subject matter in two languages. The goal of Dual Language Immersion is complete bilingualism in the form of proficiency of literacy skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in two languages. Social interactions play an important role in cognitive, social, emotional, and linguistic abilities of children who naturally want to communicate with their peers as part of the learning process. The foundations of Dual Language Immersion can be found in Lev Vygotskys' zone of proximal development (ZPD) and social interactionist theory.

The benefits from bilingualism or multilingualism are present in many facets of human development and cognitive ability. One benefit from dual language education is to close the achievement gap between students who speak a different language at home from the students who speak the native language of instruction at school. According to Jean Ormrod, English language learners do better in school when some of their subjects are taught in their native language. Students will be less inclined to lose their mother tongue, yet be able to acquire proficiency in both languages.

There are misconceptions about bilingual acquisition in that some say it can cause confusion in the learning process. Although this may be true for those who already have speech and language disorders, being bilingual can actually be beneficial for the human brain by reducing onset of Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. Some evidence shows that learning another language may also " boost your brain power " by reinforcing the executive control function of the brain or help reconstruct connections. Dual language instruction has other psychological, emotional, and cognitive benefits that are still being studied by educators, linguists, and psychologists. The term bilingual education also refers to dual language immersion, but the latter is becoming a more popular and acceptable way of describing the program.

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Main Types of Dual Language Programs
1) Developmental, or maintenance, bilingual programs. These enroll primarily students who are native speakers of the partner language.

2) Two-way (bilingual) immersion programs. These enroll a balance of native English speakers and native speakers of the partner language.

3) Foreign language immersion, language immersion or one-way immersion. These enroll primarily native English speakers

4) Heritage language programs. These enroll students who are dominant in English but whose parents, grandparents, or other ancestors spoke the partner language.

Dual Language programs are not only for students who speak a different language at home to the native language. It can also benefit children who only speak the native language. Bilingual programs are part of an overall cross-cultural enrichment that has profound effects on human development, general well-being, and positive socioeconomic implications. It is estimated that half the world's population is bilingual (Grosjean, 2010). Dual language immersion programs seem to be on the rise all over the world as educators realize the benefits of knowing two or more languages in growing global society.

Created by: Opton A. Martin

Created: February 7, 2015

Last Edited: February 9, 2015

Webliography & References:
Cuda-Kroen, G. (2011, April 4). Being Bilingual May Boost Your Brain Power. // NPR Morning Edition //. Podcast retrieved from @http://www.npr.org/2011/04/04/135043787/being-bilingual-may-boost-your-brain-power

Grosjean, F. (2010). //Bilingual: Life and Reality//. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Ormrod, J. E. (2011). //Educational Psychology:////Developing Learners// (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson

Wilson, D. M. (2011). Dual Language Programs on the Rise. //Harvard Education Letter//. 27. Retrieved from @http://hepg.org/hel-home/issues/27_2/helarticle/dual-language-programs-on-the-rise