Discussion:
The benefits and challenges of blingualism
Imagine that you have the opportunity to work as a paraprofessional at one of the following school:
Lakeview North Elementary School is a bilingual school where students are given instruction in their native language for most of the day, but immersed with other non-ELL students for selected periods (such as lunch, physical education, library, etc.)
School you would prefer to work in and explain why. Discuss the benefits and challenges of the program at the school and consider any potential issues you predict might affect the English Language Learners' learning.
Some questions to consider:
1. Why do you prefer this type of instruction?
2. What information from the unit readings supports this model of instruction?
3. What are some of the negative effects associated with this type of instruction?
4. What might be the social and emotional effects on the ELL student using this program?
5. What improvements could you suggest in this program of instruction?