This article published by The American Institutes for Research highlights the current state policies and practices of dual language education at the national level. There is a short video clip that summarizes dual language across the country and (for those of you who want some intense reading), a December 2015 publication by the Unites States Department of Education Dual Language Education Programs: Current State Policies and Practices.
The conclusion to this report reference the benefits to students and society.
"Benefits to Students and Society
There are, without doubt, many benefits—for students and society—that come from having command of more than one language, and from the interaction between cultures that language learning brings. Developing proficiency in more than one language enhances career opportunities, promotes cross-cultural understanding, and improves communication skills (Tochon, 2009; Rumbaut, 2014). Students benefit cognitively as well; numerous studies have shown the cognitive benefits associated with bilingualism (Esposito & Baker-Ward, 2013; Ball, 2010; Espinosa, 2013; Sandhofer & Uchikoshi, 2013; Barac et al., 2014).
Research also shows that English learners (ELs) benefit from continuing to learn in their native language (Ball, 2010; Lindholm-Leary & Genesee, 2014). Oral proficiency and literacy in a student’s first language, for example, can facilitate English literacy development (August & Shanahan, 2006). Moreover, ELs are less likely to fall behind in core subject areas if they are able to continue learning grade-level content in their home language while acquiring proficiency in English (Lindholm-Leary & Genesee, 2014).
In our country, we have a valuable yet untapped resource within the estimated 4.6 million students who come to school already speaking a variety of home languages, most commonly Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, or Hmong. These languages are significant not only to our economic competitiveness, but also to our nation’s security (Duncan & Gil, 2014)."
United States Department of Education, December 2015,
Dual Language Education Programs Current State Policies
and Practices, retrieved from
http://www.air.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/
Dual-Language-Education-Programs-Current-
State-Policies-April-2015.pdf
