Bilingual Classrooms

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the teaching of English learners in American classrooms has been a subject of debate for decades. The paper explains that most commonly, the conflict surrounds how much and to what extent the teaching should be done in the students' native languages. Three main methods have emerged that are the topic of review in this paper; structured immersion; dual language immersion and submersion. The paper points out that no method of teaching English learners is guaranteed. The paper concludes that until greater research is conducted, only partial recommendations can be made based on available research.

Outline:
Structured Immersion
Dual Language Immersion
Submersion
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"Structured immersion, also called sheltered English immersion, teaches English language learners in self-contained classrooms. These classrooms, comprised on only English learners, are still instructed in English but are separated from mainstream classrooms for some allotted time (Rossell 2005). Structured immersion uses little acknowledgement of the native language of English learners, and does not require additional academic reinforcement at home (Attinasi 1998). This method has currently been adopted in California and Arizona, and also to some extent in Massachusetts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Attinasi, J. J. (1998, Winter). English only for California children and the aftermath of proposition 227. Education, 119(2), p. 263.
• Christian, D. (1998). Language learning in school: The promise of two-way immersion. Studie Anglica Posnaniensia: international review of English Studies, pp. 73-80.
• Ernst-Slavit, G., Moore, M., & Maloney, C. (2002, October). Changing lives: Teaching English and literature to ESL students: To enhance learning for ESL students the authors provide selected background and strategies. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 46(2), pp. 116-128.
• Gandara, P., Maxwell-Jolly, J., & Driscoll, A. (2005). Listening to teachers of English language learners: A survey of California teachers' challenges, experiences, and professional development needs. Santa Cruz, CA: The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning and The University of California Linguistic Minority.
• Genesee, F., & Gandara, P. (1999, Winter). Bilingual education programs: A cross-national perspective. Journal of Social Issues, 55(4), p. 665.

More papers on Bilingual Classrooms:

• Article Review # 94191 : "Jocelyn Smrekar's Article 'Early Childhood Bilingual Classrooms'"
• Research Proposal # 55807 : "Mathematics Instruction in English in Bilingual Classrooms"
• Essay # 70848 : "Bilingual Education"

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