Dual language programming continues to expand around the country, and researchers from the School of Education are doing their part to help school corporations learn more. The Dual Language Immersion Summer Institute, now in its fourth year, took place this month and included 41 teachers and administrators from eight different school districts around Indiana. While some are from schools that already had implemented dual language programs, others are from districts planning to start their own programs during the next school year.
These programs also provide access to students who need it the most, such as English learners or students of low socio-economic status, and thus help them close the achievement gap.
Vesna Dimitrieska
Sessions during the week-long institute included lesson planning for the dual language classroom, biliteracy instruction and proficiency of DLI students. Experts on dual language programming were brought in from around the country. Vesna Dimitrieska, Director of Global Education Initiatives for the Center on P-16 Research and Collaboration, said in addition to educating students to become bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate, dual language instruction aims to meet the needs of many employers who are looking for bilingual employees.
“These programs also provide access to students who need it the most, such as English learners or students of low socio-economic status, and thus help them close the achievement gap,” Dimitrieska said. “Research has shown that all students in these programs, regardless of status, race and ethnicity, outperform their peers from monolingual, non-DLI programs.”
Along with the School of Education, the IU Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies also sponsored the Institute.