The Importance and Benefits of Bilingual Education in Schools

Written by Sasha Blakeley

Bilingual education in schools is a major topic of debate among pedagogical theorists. Because so many languages are spoken across the globe, it is easy to see why bilingual education can be important for many students. There are also a number of academic and social benefits to bilingual education that can help boost students' understanding of the world around them while also helping their cognitive development. The benefits that individual students will experience because of their bilingual education will vary considerably based on their circumstances and reasons for participating in a bilingual learning environment.

What Does Bilingual Education Mean?

Bilingual education is a broad term for any schooling where students learn two languages. Usually, ''bilingual'' implies that both languages in question are given a reasonable amount of weight in a student's daily life. Students whose native language is English and who complete their schooling in English but take a few Spanish classes in high school are not usually considered to be participating in bilingual education. Bilingual classrooms usually teach most or all subjects in the target language rather than just teaching language classes.

In terms of the world population, bilingualism is more common than monolingualism. According to linguistic research, approximately 60% of the world's population is able to speak two or more languages fluently, while 40% of people speak only one. Learning a second language is generally easier for children than for adults; it is by no means impossible for adults to learn a new language, but they often struggle to gain fluency and a native-like accent at the same rate as younger learners. Linguists have identified over 7,000 spoken languages worldwide, though some are more commonly spoken than others.

The Importance of Bilingualism in Schools

Schools are the ideal environment for learning a second language. They provide students with extensive learning opportunities, fellow learners to speak to, and ample activities to perform while speaking a target language as a way to build up vocabulary and practice. There are many recognized benefits of bilingual education and many ways to structure a bilingual classroom effectively. Many parents want their children to have the opportunity to learn a second language fluently because they can see the opportunities that speaking a second language can open up. There are many different teaching strategies and pedagogical theories that teachers can use to create an effective bilingual curriculum.

The existence of bilingual schools can make a big difference for many students. These institutions help society function smoothly, especially when that society has large populations of people who speak different languages. The reasons why bilingual schools are important can vary based on the particular society where they exist, but the following are some of the most significant reasons why bilingual schools tend to be helpful for students, teachers, families, and entire communities.

Allows People to Connect

Language is the primary mechanism through which humans communicate. When people cannot speak the same language, their communication options are limited, and it may be challenging for people to understand each other. Communities with several major language groups may be able to connect with each other more easily if their schools offer bilingual education. That way, children with different native languages can still grow up to understand each other, forming strong friendships and connections that can make communities more cohesive. In many parts of the United States, English and Spanish are widely spoken. When people can speak both languages, their ability to participate in their own communities is increased.

Can Help Immigrants Integrate

When people move to a new country, linguistic isolation can be one of the most challenging aspects of the transition. Bilingual schools can be a great help to immigrant families as children and teens can get a thorough understanding of the new culture's language, sometimes with added support from their native language as well (depending on how the bilingual program is set up). Bilingual programs are deliberately constructed to support students' language needs, which is different from simply expecting English language learners (ELLs) to start school in a standard monolingual classroom and learn as they go along. Indeed, having access to high-quality bilingual programs is invaluable for many ELLs and their families.

Provides Options for Students and Families

Not all learners have the same needs at school. Some students may require extra enrichment, and a bilingual education might be able to provide that enrichment while still allowing learners to learn the same curriculum as their peers. Some students' learning styles may be better suited to bilingual education programs than others, so having a range of bilingual schooling options available can be important for those students. Some families might also split their time between two or more parts of the world where different languages are spoken, or they may use several languages at home. Giving students access to education in two or more of their commonly used languages can help make the transitions between cultures and languages easier to manage.

The Benefits of Bilingual Schools

Learning a second language, particularly in a formal, supported environment like a bilingual school, can provide several benefits to students. Research on the benefits of bilingual education is ongoing, but many studies have pointed to cognitive and behavioral advantages that bilingual students receive due to their education. Of course, these benefits will vary from student to student; bilingual education is not the best choice for everyone, and some students may do much better in a monolingual school environment. However, for students who thrive in a bilingual education environment, the following are some potential benefits.

Benefit	Explanation
Provides Cognitive Advantages	Various studies have suggested that learning a second language can lead to many cognitive advantages. One study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that bilingualism can delay the onset of dementia by 4-5 years compared to monolingual patients. Bilinguals may also have improved executive function skills because they need to switch between languages in different contexts. Students who speak two or more languages often find learning and processing new information easier. Some research has even found changes in the brain's physical structure: bilinguals may have more gray matter volume in the left inferior parietal cortex than average, which is likely because that part of the brain is crucial for switching between languages.
Can Improve Working Memory	In addition to staving off dementia, some research has also shown that bilingualism can improve students' working memory. Bilingual people tend to outperform monolinguals in tasks that involve remembering a lot of data at once. Again, this is a trend, not universal. Monolingualism does not necessarily doom students to having a poor working memory, and bilingualism does not guarantee better results. However, for some bilingual students, this improved working memory may make it easier to succeed in school and serve them well in other areas of life.
Increased Academic Achievements	Because of their familiarity with at least two different language structures, many bilingual students may do better than their monolingual peers when it comes to learning to read. This advantage is most readily apparent among very young readers and may be less pronounced for older students. However, bilingual students of all ages may be particularly well-prepared to solve complex problems because of their experience learning a new language and learning to think in a new way. There is a long-standing myth that learning a second language actually hurts students' academic development because they have to put all their energy into learning a new language instead of learning other material, but the research does not support that myth.
Boosts Ability to Learn More Languages	Students who decide later to learn a new language may find that process easier if they are already bilingual. They are more likely to understand the process of learning a language and may even have a sense of their own talents and shortcomings when it comes to language learning. That knowledge can help students know where to focus their attention; maybe they know that they are good at picking up new vocabulary but that they struggle with verb conjugations, for instance. Additionally, some languages are closely related. A student who has already learned French in a bilingual education program will likely find it comparatively easy to learn Spanish or Italian because those languages are all part of the Romance family and have a similar structure and vocabulary.
Improves Cultural Understanding	Learning a language often goes hand in hand with learning about a new culture. Many bilingual language programs will encourage students to read books and watch movies in their target language to absorb the language further. Those resources can help students learn about a cultural perspective that might be very different from their own. Students can then take that cultural understanding with them beyond the classroom. Being bilingual often makes travel easier, giving students advantages in the workforce and opening up new opportunities they would not otherwise have had.

Bilingual Education in the Classroom

There are several different ways that bilingual classrooms can be set up. Usually, these differences depend on the type of program in question and the particular needs of the students and teachers in a given community. There are several reasons why students and their families are likely to pursue bilingual learning. Each of those types of bilingual classrooms will be set up differently and have implications for the advantages and experiences students are likely to get from their schooling.

When students elect to learn in a bilingual environment for their own enrichment, they are usually doing so in a classroom full of like-minded students with a teacher who specializes in this particular form of bilingual education. These programs are usually immersive, and the students usually have the same native language and the same target language. The cognitive and academic benefits students can get from a bilingual education may be most prevalent in these classrooms because the students and teachers all want to focus on this particular form of linguistic expertise.

Thinking of becoming a teacher for all students? Start with considering the type of credential test you may need to take, such as the PRAXIS test.

Styles of Bilingual Education Programs

Schools can adopt many different programs and education structures to teach students a second language. For example, there are immersion programs, dual language programs, late exit programs, classes specifically designed for ELLs, and transitional bilingual education programs. For parents and students considering bilingual education, it is a good idea to understand how all of these programs differ. They are designed with specific kinds of students in mind and may not work for everyone. It may be helpful to read about these programs and then see which of them are available locally and how students can attend them.

Immersion

Immersion programs are intended to provide students with a comprehensive education conducted primarily or entirely in their target language. In the US, these programs usually have classes made up entirely of immersion students whose first language is English. In addition, French and Spanish immersion programs are offered at some public and private schools, and some private schools may have other language immersion programs. Teachers for immersion classes may speak the target language natively or may be fluent bilinguals. Immersion programs are more commonly offered at the elementary school level, with students integrating into regular schools for middle and high school. The amount of education provided in the target language varies by program; ideally, students speak the target language for most or all of the school day outside of English language classes, though they will likely speak English during breaks and with peers.

Dual Language

Dual language instruction is a teaching style designed to support both native English speakers and ELLs. Instruction takes place in English and another language, and the class comprises students who speak English and students who speak another language. Instructors must be fluent in both languages to teach effectively in this context. Students can practice their languages with each other and can learn from each other. Dual language programs often last from kindergarten through the end of middle school. All students are encouraged to retain their native language skills in the classroom, which can be a great way for ELLs to learn English without losing touch with their native language and culture. Dual language programs are gaining popularity and are considered good ways for students to broaden their cultural and linguistic knowledge. Their primary drawback is that they require highly specialized teaching methods to support both languages.

Early-Exit Transitional Bilingual Education

Transitional bilingual education programs are a form of English language learning instruction. They focus on helping ELLs transfer their linguistic skills from their native language to English. There are two main forms of transitional bilingual education known as ''early-exit'' and ''late-exit.'' Early-exit programs are essentially language intensives. Their goal is to make ELLs proficient in English as quickly as possible so they can transfer to mainstream classes. Usually, early-exit programs begin in kindergarten or as soon as ELLs arrive in the country. In these programs, students benefit from having more time in classes with their peers, but their native language is not taught or supported, and they may lose proficiency in it over time.

Late-Exit Transitional Bilingual Education

Late-exit programs are also for ELLs but take longer: while early-exit programs are usually completed before the fourth grade, late-exit programs may continue through middle school. Their goal is to teach students English while supporting their native language so that it is not lost or ignored. Students are not discouraged from speaking their native language and often receive instructional materials in their native language and English. These programs can be great for maintaining students' understanding of both languages and for supporting their cultural perspectives, but they also mean that students miss out on more time in mainstream education. That loss of time spent with peers may be socially and academically deleterious for some students. The trade-off is a complex one, and the right choice for one student will not be the right choice for everyone.

English as a Second Language

Students who take part in bilingual education because they are ELLs may have a more urgent need to reach a certain level of bilingual fluency. Although learning English as an immigrant can be challenging, some classroom setups may work better than others. Students who have access to specialized bilingual teachers, or teachers who are certified in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), who can provide some instruction in their native language. Students who are learning alongside other ELLs may feel less isolated and may be more likely to reap the benefits of a bilingual education. Some students may also enroll in bilingual education to gain cultural understanding. Some of them may come from families where some members speak English and others speak a different language; attending a bilingual school can be a good way for students to learn more about their relatives' experiences and can help them participate in their own bilingual family or community.

What is the meaning of bilingual school?

Bilingual schools are schools that aim to teach students a second language. The programs offered at these schools can vary considerably based on teachers' expertise and students' needs.
Do bilingual students do better in school?

There have been a number of studies indicating that bilingual students do have academic advantages over their peers. However, these advantages are trends, not guarantees; some monolingual students will outperform their bilingual peers.
What are the four types of bilingual education?

There are many types of bilingual education, but some programs are more common in the United States than others. Immersion, dual language education, early-exit transitional education, and late-exit transitional education are the four main program types.

The Benefits of Bilingual Classrooms