Bilingual education support
What is bilingual education?
Definition and goals
Bilingual education is a structured instructional approach that uses two languages to help students access and engage with content while developing proficiency in both languages. The primary goal is to enable learners to participate meaningfully in academic tasks, communicate effectively across contexts, and cultivate lifelong literacy in more than one language. Rather than treating language as a barrier, effective bilingual programs view language as a resource that enhances thinking, problem-solving, and cultural understanding.
Core objectives typically include building foundational literacy in the student’s home language, transferring those skills as appropriate to a second language, and ensuring that content knowledge—across subjects such as science, math, and social studies—remains rigorous and accessible. Over time, students should demonstrate increased language proficiency, academic achievement, and confidence in diverse social settings.
Key terminology
- Home language/L1: The language a student first learns at home.
- Target language/L2: The language being learned and used in instruction.
- Two-way/dual language: Programs designed for both native and non-native speakers to develop bilingual proficiency together.
- Transitional bilingual: Programs emphasizing a shift to the majority language while maintaining partial instruction in L1.
- Sheltered instruction: Structured teaching that makes content understandable while developing language skills.
- Additive bilingualism: Adding a second language without replacing the first.
- Subtractive bilingualism: When learning a second language replaces or diminishes use of the first language.
- Language objectives: Specific goals aligned with language development to accompany content objectives.
Models of bilingual education
Two-way immersion
Two-way immersion programs enroll both native English-dominant and native home-language students. Instruction is delivered in both languages, with the aim of achieving bilingualism and biliteracy for all participants. These programs emphasize equal distribution of language use, collaborative learning, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Over time, students develop cognitive flexibility, cross-cultural communication skills, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives while maintaining strong academic outcomes in core subjects.
Transitional bilingual programs
Transitional bilingual programs begin with instruction in the student’s home language while gradually introducing the majority language. The emphasis is on shifting to the dominant language for most instruction as students gain proficiency, with the ultimate goal of full immersion in the target language. This model can support early literacy and content mastery, but requires careful planning to prevent gaps in the first language from constraining long-term bilingual development.
Dual language programs
Dual language programs are designed to develop proficiency in two languages for all students, often through balanced or progressive use of each language across subjects. These programs can be structured as 50/50 models or progressively transition language use over time. The focus is on equitable access to learning, with explicit language objectives and integrated literacy instruction that strengthens both languages and subject knowledge.
Sheltered instruction
Sheltered instruction delivers content in a manner accessible to learners who are still acquiring the language. Teachers use simplified language, visuals, scaffolds, and modeling to ensure comprehension while simultaneously developing language skills. This approach is frequently employed within mainstream classrooms to support inclusion and help students participate in grade-level content from early stages of language development.
Benefits and evidence
Academic outcomes
Robust bilingual programs are associated with strong academic outcomes across disciplines. Students who receive high-quality bilingual instruction often demonstrate improved literacy in both languages, better problem-solving abilities, and sustained academic engagement. Evidence shows that well-implemented bilingual programs can close achievement gaps, particularly for multilingual learners, by providing access to grade-level content while developing language proficiency in tandem with cognitive development.
Social and cultural benefits
Beyond academics, bilingual education fosters social inclusion, cultural identity, and positive peer relationships. Students see their home languages respected and valued, which reinforces self-efficacy and motivation. Schools that prioritize linguistic diversity also create inclusive communities where families participate more readily, translating into stronger support networks, reduced stigma, and a climate of shared learning across cultural backgrounds.
Strategies for teachers
Curriculum design
Effective curriculum design aligns content objectives with language development goals. Teachers embed language supports—such as clear vocabulary previews, visual organizers, and bilingual glossaries—within rigorous tasks. Units should integrate language objectives with content objectives, ensuring students practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages through authentic, collaborative activities.
Language development strategies
Strategies include explicit vocabulary instruction, strategies for cognitive development (such as think-alouds and scaffolded questioning), and structured opportunities for language output. Use of bilingual peer collaboration, role-plays, and inquiry-based projects helps students apply language in meaningful contexts. Regular opportunities for reading across genres in both languages support literacy growth and transfer of comprehension skills.
Assessment practices
Assessment should capture both content mastery and language development. Formative checks—quick exit tickets, observation rubrics, and language probes—guide instruction. Summative assessments should be linguistically accommodated to reflect true understanding, with translated prompts or language-appropriate tasks when needed. Portfolios, performance tasks, and bilingual writing samples provide a holistic view of progress over time.
Family and community engagement
Home language support
Encouraging use of the home language at home supports literacy and cognitive development. Schools can provide resources, such as bilingual book lists, family-language newsletters, and guidance on how families can reinforce academic concepts in both languages. When parents see their language valued, they are more likely to engage in school life and support learning routines at home.
Family outreach
Outreach activities should be accessible, respectful, and culturally responsive. Multilingual communications, flexible meeting times, and community events that celebrate linguistic diversity help build trust. Involvement can include bilingual workshops for parents, translation of essential documents, and volunteer opportunities that leverage families’ strengths to enrich classroom learning.
Assessment and progress monitoring
Formative assessment
Formative assessment provides ongoing insight into both content understanding and language development. Quick checks, exit tickets, and observation notes help teachers adjust instruction in real time. Clear, language-infused rubrics allow students to see what proficiency looks like in speaking, listening, reading, and writing within and across languages.
Language proficiency measures
Measuring language proficiency involves tracking gains in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in both languages. Schools may use proficiency scales, performance-based demonstrations, and portfolios to document growth. Regular benchmarking helps determine when students are ready to increase or reduce language supports and how to align instruction with the next proficiency milestone.
Policy, funding and equity
Policy considerations
Policy decisions shape how bilingual programs are funded, implemented, and evaluated. Clear guidance on program eligibility, teacher qualifications, and instructional time helps ensure consistency and quality. Policies should emphasize additive bilingualism, equity in access to advanced coursework, and alignment with state or national learning standards while respecting community linguistic assets.
Funding models
Funding for bilingual education should support core instructional needs, professional development, and access to appropriate resources. Models may include per-pupil allocations, grants for teacher training, and funding for family engagement initiatives. Equitable funding ensures schools can provide high-quality materials, bilingual staff, and sustained support for students across language backgrounds.
Equity and inclusion
Equity in bilingual education means ensuring that learners from all linguistic backgrounds have opportunities to excel. This includes culturally responsive teaching, access to rigorous standards, and support services that address language development, socio-emotional needs, and community integration. Inclusive practices privilege student voice, access to universal design for learning, and consistent opportunities for meaningful participation.
Technology and resources
Digital tools
Digital tools can enhance language development and content access when used thoughtfully. Educational platforms support bilingual reading and writing, vocabulary-building apps, and collaborative translation features. Access to devices, reliable connectivity, and digital literacy training are essential to ensure technology serves as an enabler rather than a barrier.
Culturally responsive resources
Resources that reflect students’ cultures, languages, and lived experiences deepen engagement. Bilingual books, culturally relevant histories, and community-authored materials validate diverse identities. Schools should curate a balanced library of multilingual texts and partner with families to source authentic resources that resonate with learners and their communities.
Implementation challenges
Staff training
Preparing teachers to deliver high-quality bilingual instruction requires ongoing professional development. Effective training covers language development strategies, assessment practices, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and ways to collaborate with families. Time, expertise, and funding for sustained training are critical considerations for successful implementation.
Resource constraints
Many programs face limitations in materials, instructional time, and staff capacity. Schools must plan strategically to maximize existing resources, seek community partnerships, and advocate for sustained funding. Creative scheduling, shared resource libraries, and scalable interventions help manage constraints while maintaining program quality.
Community expectations
Community views about bilingual education vary, affecting program acceptance and participation. Clear communication about goals, evidence of effectiveness, and opportunities for stakeholder input can align expectations. Building trust with families and local communities supports smoother implementation and broader support for bilingual initiatives.
Trusted Source Insight
Trusted Summary: UNESCO’s education resources underscore mother-tongue instruction and well-developed bilingual programs as critical for inclusive, high-quality learning. Early instruction in the learner’s first language builds literacy and cognitive skills, while deliberate bilingual education supports equity, social cohesion, and long-term educational success.