Biliteracy Units

Biliteracy Units

Teaching for biliteracy is different from teaching for monoliteracy (literacy in one language). All students receive literacy instruction in both languages every day, beginning at entry into the program. Each language arts class focuses on different standards – NOT the same standards or texts simultaneously. This is to ensure that students are exposed to authentic content and not receiving a translation of the texts. It also allows for students to do the transferring and bridging between the two languages. The Bridge is the instructional moment in teaching dual language when teachers bring the two languages together, guiding students to engage in contrastive analysis of the two languages and transfer the academic content they have learned in one language to the other language. Bridging involves the use of cross-linguistic strategies and leads to the development of metalinguistic awareness.