Everything You Need To Know About Bilingual Curriculums

A bilingual curriculum entails teaching academic content to non-English speaking students in both native and secondary languages. A bilingual curriculum also refers to the teaching of English proficiency to students. For an education programme to qualify as a bilingual programme, it must provide content and delivery using two languages. Our brains are hardwired to learn a language right from childhood. Therefore, the earlier we start learning English as a second language, the higher the chances of attaining full proficiency. There are many benefits associated with a bilingual curriculum. Studies show that students who are bilingual are able to multitask better compared to counterparts that are monolinguals. Also, people who are bilingual showed increased ability in learning a third language.

Most countries around the world use bilingual curriculums in schools, including Singapore. In Singapore, students are usually instructed in English, while learning mother tongue languages such as Malay and Mandarin is compulsory. Back in 1960, a government legislation made English the primary language of instruction while mother tongue was made the secondary language. Students in Singapore can also choose to learn a third language such as Japanese or French in secondary school. However, for them to do so, they need to get an A grade in both English and their second language.

Forms of Bilingual Education

There are different types of bilingual education, such as two-way, immersion, and transitional bilingual education. However, there is a difference between English as a second language and bilingual education programmes. Bilingual education programmes aim to introduce students to English by working them gradually in both English and mother tongue languages. Therefore, students are able to learn English as a language without losing proficiency in their mother tongue language.

Two-Way Bilingual Education

A two-way bilingual education involves using two teachers in one classroom. Therefore, a subject is taught using English and another language. In two-way bilingual education, teachers do not translate or repeat the content, but rather than emphasize the content taught in one language, it uses both languages so as to challenge students cognitively.

Early immersion - this is where students start the second language from age 5 or 6.

Middle immersion - this is where students start the second language from age 9 or 10.

Late immersion - this is where students start the second language between the age of 11 and 14.

How does it work in practice?

A two-way curriculum is mainly content based and its main focus is on developing strong academic success in both languages. Most of the time, different strategies such as thematic units, multiple cues, hands-on activities and experiments are used, so that students can learn concepts quickly. While a two-way curriculum remains generally constant, the method through which the goals are achieved depends on community attitudes and demographics among other

factors. For example, you may have a programme that allocates the two languages based on content. That is, maths and social studies may be taught in Malay, while music, art and science are taught in English.

A two-way educational program uses different models. The two most common ones include the 50/50 model where students get instructions for the same amount of time using the two languages. While the second one is the 90/10 model where students receive 90% of instructions in the native language and 10% in English during the early stages of school. This will gradually move students towards the 50/50 model that is used in upper grades.

Derek Tan writes articles relating to education. Please visit Canadian International School for more information.

Derek Tan writes articles relating to education. Please visit Canadian International School for more information.