BilingualismBilingualism

Tonja L. RootTonja L. Root

Early Childhood & Reading EducationEarly Childhood & Reading Education

Valdosta State UniversityValdosta State University

Valdosta, GA 31698Valdosta, GA 31698

Bilingualism: 1990 Census FiguresBilingualism: 1990 Census Figures

31.8 million people speak 329 31.8 million people speak 329 different languages.different languages.

Most common foreign language Most common foreign language is Spanish.is Spanish.

Spanish is spoken by 17 million; Spanish is spoken by 17 million; 54% do not speak English at 54% do not speak English at home.home.

Cultural AwarenessCultural Awareness

Not presenting contribution of Not presenting contribution of each culture in isolationeach culture in isolation

Understanding the interaction Understanding the interaction of contributions of various of contributions of various culturescultures

Making cultural connectionsMaking cultural connections Understanding that each has a Understanding that each has a

culture that is part of our beingculture that is part of our being

Cultural Differences: Metaphors Cultural Differences: Metaphors

1 Melting potMelting pot 19th & 20th centuries19th & 20th centuries Acculturation: acquiring the Acculturation: acquiring the

culture from a geographic area, culture from a geographic area, not maintaining own culturenot maintaining own culture

Ethnic groups assimilating to Ethnic groups assimilating to form one cultureform one culture

Cultural Differences: MetaphorsCultural Differences: Metaphors

2 Stew or SaladStew or Salad Allowed individuals to dictate Allowed individuals to dictate

which culture qualities should which culture qualities should be chosen to be part of itbe chosen to be part of it

Elitism promoted destruction of Elitism promoted destruction of cultural pride, encourages cultural pride, encourages discrimination & prejudicediscrimination & prejudice

Did not recognize need for Did not recognize need for pluralism & enculturationpluralism & enculturation

Cultural Differences: MetaphorsCultural Differences: Metaphors

3 National fabric or TapestryNational fabric or Tapestry Respect & acceptance of all Respect & acceptance of all

diversitiesdiversities Makes all a part of this nationMakes all a part of this nation Allows for appreciation & Allows for appreciation &

interaction of culturesinteraction of cultures Allows for cultural assimilation Allows for cultural assimilation

& own cultural identity& own cultural identity

Bilingual Education ProgramsBilingual Education Programs

Bilingual classroom: ESL Bilingual classroom: ESL instruction & instruction in instruction & instruction in native languagenative language

ESL program: ESL class & ESL program: ESL class & mainstreamed into general mainstreamed into general education classeseducation classes

*Exit: LPL (lang. prof. level) test*Exit: LPL (lang. prof. level) test

Difficulties for Bilingual LearningDifficulties for Bilingual Learning

Takes 5-7 yrs. to acquire English Takes 5-7 yrs. to acquire English to perform successfully in to perform successfully in academic areasacademic areas

Vocabulary development neededVocabulary development needed

StrategiesStrategies

Use journal writing: prior know-Use journal writing: prior know-ledge, new concepts, miscon-ledge, new concepts, miscon-ceptions, metacognition of learn-ceptions, metacognition of learn-ing & problems, feelings & ing & problems, feelings & emotions.emotions.

Cooperative learningCooperative learning Language experience approachLanguage experience approach Sustained silent readingSustained silent reading