Six Key Questions to Consider When Implementing Dual Language Programs

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Edweek’s Corey Mitchell has written another outstanding article surrounding dual language education in the United States. This article, though brief, highlights six key insights for dual language schools as voiced by dual language experts from across the country.

​The interviews, conducted with experts such as David Rogers, executive director of Dual Language Education of New Mexico, and Rosa Molina, executive director of the Association for Two-Way & Dual Language Education, attempt to answer the following questions:

1.    What resources do you need to start a dual-language program?

2.    What are some of the challenges districts may encounter with those lesser-taught languages?

3.    How can schools with dual-language programs emphasize the importance of both languages?

4.    When helping districts establish dual-language programs, is there a big misconception that you have to work to dispel early on?

5.    How can educators, even those working outside of classrooms, support dual-language education?

6.    What are some growing pains that schools can expect to encounter after launching dual-language programs? Are there other examples of growing pains that schools may not anticipate?

The TWIN-CS Network includes both veteran and novice members, and while this article may be most helpful to those new to dual language programs, it may behoove our veteran readers to remember these core concepts.

Please feel free to comment below if you believe there is anything missing from this list!

-Melissa Hoppie, Graduate Student Researcher


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TWIN-CS

TWIN-CS advances the Catholic tradition of academic excellence by empowering Catholic schools to systematically transform from a monolingual to multilingual educational model in the service of vibrant culturally diverse populations.

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