Lesson 4.3: Bilingualism and Biliteracy
Lesson Summary
This lesson introduces participants to bilingualism and biliteracy, their benefits, and the bilingual programs available in public schools.
Key Understandings
Parents understand the differences and benefits of bilingual programs offered in public schools.
Parents understand how they can support the development of two languages at home.
How does your understanding of brain architecture and language development influence the type of interactions that will support learning two languages at home?
BEFORE: Engage in Learning
Igniting Bilingual Learning
Watch the video about babies developing bilingual skills.
What did you notice?
What does it mean to be bilingual or biliterate?
The term Bilingual is used to describe someone who can only fluently speak two languages.
A person who is Biliterate is also considered bilingual, but a person who is bilingual is not necessarily biliterate.
Biliteracy is the ability to read and write proficiently in two languages. Fluency in both reading and writing are present in biliteracy.
There are many advantages to raising a bilingual/biliterate child!
A high-level use of more than one language may actually improve early brain development.
Multilingualism has been proven to help your child develop superior reading and writing skills.
Knowing more than one language helps your child feel at ease in different environments.
Studies have shown that a command of two or more languages bolsters the ability to focus in the face of distraction.
Career prospects are multiplied many times over for people who know more than one language.
DURING: Explore new concepts
Take a few minutes to explore the following online resources that support bilingualism.
Gallina Pintadita
Has adorable animations of classic Spanish nursery rhymes. The words are printed on the screen.
Jean Feldman
Author of several early childhood books for teachers and several songs for children.
Suni Paza & Elizabeth Mitchell
Beloved children’s artists. They have adapted folk songs for the enjoyment of both Spanish and English speaking children.
AFTER: Extend your learning
Two languages at a time
Watch the video that shows a bilingual classroom.
What do you notice about the teacher and child interactions in the video?
Exit Ticket: Final Reflection
As you listen to the Greetings Song from Jack Hartman, write down your reflection on the lesson:
What are 2 things you learned?
What is 1 thing you can immediately apply?
Share your reflection with the other participants in your local program.
Check for Understanding: Unit 4 Assessment
At the end of every unit of instruction, you will take a few minutes to answer a couple of questions that will check your understanding on the lessons you have completed.
You have completed three lessons in Unit 4:
Lesson 4.1: Serve and Return
Lesson 4.2: Promoting Language Development
Lesson 4.3: Bilingualism and Biliteracy
Your instructor will share a link with the 2-3 questions you will answer.