What are the two main types of bilingual education programs?

The two main types of bilingual education programs, fundamentally rooted in distinct philosophies, are transitional bilingual education and maintenance bilingual education. These approaches differ primarily in their goals regarding the development and continued use of a student's native language while acquiring English.

Bilingual education programs aim to help students who are learning English succeed academically, building on their linguistic strengths. The core difference between the two main types lies in their long-term objectives for the students' first language.

Transitional Bilingual Education

Transitional bilingual education programs are designed to help students transition from their native language into English as quickly as possible. The primary goal is to develop English proficiency to the point where students can succeed in mainstream English-only classrooms.

• Goal: To facilitate a rapid shift to English.
• Methodology: Instruction begins with significant support in the student's native language for academic content, gradually decreasing as English proficiency grows. The native language serves as a bridge to English.
• Duration: Typically lasts for a limited period, often 2-3 years, or until students meet specific English proficiency benchmarks.
• Outcome: Students are expected to become proficient in English and integrate into mainstream English classes. Maintenance of the native language is not a primary objective and often diminishes.
• Example: A program where a Spanish-speaking student learns math and science in Spanish initially, but with increasing amounts of English instruction over time, aiming for full English immersion within a few years.

For more detailed insights into transitional models, you can refer to resources like Colorín Colorado's explanation of bilingual program models.

Maintenance Bilingual Education

Maintenance bilingual education, also known as developmental bilingual education, aims to preserve and develop students' native language while they simultaneously acquire English. The long-term goal is to foster full biliteracy and biculturalism, ensuring students become proficient in both languages.

• Goal: To develop and maintain high levels of proficiency in both the native language and English.
• Methodology: Instruction in both languages continues throughout the program, often for several years, ensuring that academic content is learned and reinforced in both languages. The native language is seen as an asset and a foundation for further learning.
• Duration: Typically spans many years, often from elementary through middle school, or even longer.
• Outcome: Students achieve academic proficiency and literacy in both their native language and English, allowing them to navigate both linguistic and cultural contexts effectively.
• Example: A dual-language immersion program where English-speaking students and Spanish-speaking students learn academic content together, with instruction delivered in both languages (e.g., 50% English, 50% Spanish) across all subjects for many years.

These programs often promote a deeper understanding of diverse cultures and foster cognitive benefits associated with bilingualism. The National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) provides further information on the benefits and approaches of such programs.

Comparison of Program Types

Understanding the distinct philosophies helps illustrate the varying outcomes for students in each model. The table below summarizes the key differences:

Both models serve specific educational needs, reflecting different perspectives on language acquisition and cultural integration within the school system.