Telpochcalli Dual Language Program
What is the school’s belief about bilingualism? The school culture demonstrates a belief in bilingualism, not only because of a strong respect for students and families, but also because of its cognitive and social advantages. The school’s mission is to support students in becoming bilingual and biliterate at high academic levels. The school has decided on an “additive model” of bilingualism. All students, regardless of their home language, benefit from support in their first language and opportunities to develop through a second language. Bilingualism is a goal because of what it adds to the students. How does the Dual Language program work? At Telpochcalli we have developed a language framework where all students receive instruction in Spanish and in English. The goal of the school is for all students to be biliterate and to support the socio-cultural needs of the students. By having an additive model of literacy we are supporting the students learning in both languages (Manyak, 2007). The students learn concepts of literacy and content knowledge that they can apply to the other language. |
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