The Bilingual Advantage: Promoting Academic Development, Biliteracy, and Native Language in the Classroom

This comprehensive account of bilingualism examines the importance of using students’ native languages as a tool for supporting higher levels of learning. The authors highlight the social, linguistic, neuro-cognitive, and academic advantages of bilingualism, as well as the challenges faced by English language learners and their teachers in schools across the United States. They describe effective strategies for using native languages, even when the teacher lacks proficiency in a language. This resource addresses both the latest research and theory on native language instruction, along with its practical application (the what, why, and how) in K–8 classrooms. Key features include:

• Examples of programs that address the needs of learners from diverse language backgrounds, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Bengali, and Russian.
• Teaching strategies, activities, and student tasks geared toward current academic standards.
• The role of primary language in ESL, dual language, special education, and general education programs.

Diane Rodriguez is an associate professor at Fordham University, Graduate School of Education. Angela Carrasquillo is professor emerita at Fordham University and an educational consultant and program evaluator. Kyung Soon Lee is an adjunct professor at Touro College, School of Education.