Draft:The Importance of Bilingual Education

What is Bilingual Education?

Bilingual education means that students are learning in both their native language and English. Students learning English are known as English Language Learners (ELLs) or Emergent Bilinguals (EBs).

Why is Bilingual Education Important?

For students who are raised in a home where English is not the native language, attending school for the first time can be overwhelming. In Texas, over 20 percent of the student population is an EB (more than 10 percent of students in the United States). These students need the Bilingual program to get the most out of school. If these students do not have the resources required (such as a bilingual education program) to understand the English language they will not be able to reach their full academic capacity in an English dominated country.

What issues is Bilingual Education Facing?

Bilingual education is currently facing many issues such as teacher shortage, insufficient funding, and lack of resources. There are many financial barriers for educators wanting to receive a bilingual certification, including costly assessments. On the issue of funding, the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) mentions that “While the state program provides supplemental targeted funding for schools serving LEP students, the funding levels have long been recognized as less than what is needed to provide appropriate services (Robledo and Cortez, 2008).” The emerging issue with resources links back to the teacher shortage. Many parents would like to enroll their student in a bilingual classroom but that is not always possible due to the lack of bilingual education. The resources must be used towards students who require the program versus students who would like to expand their knowledge in a different language (Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, etc.).