Workshops

Why Bilingual?... Twice as Smart!

Successful Workshop Hosted by a Reinvigorated CANABE
Thursday, May 15th, 2008 - CANABE held the first in a series of workshops for parents, teachers and community members at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School in Washington, DC. The workshop included a presentation on the benefits of bilingualism and dual language programs, and an interactive activity in which participants discussed their ideas about language learning and advocacy for children's bilingualism.
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Participants' Ideas from the May 15, 2008 CANABE Workshop

Why Bilingual?... Twice as Smart!
  • Participants' Experiences with Language Learning:
    • "I immigrated at age 2 and stopped speaking Spanish. A positive experience with Spanish made me want to learn again."
    • "I arrived knowing no English. I went to adult ESL and then I took academic classes in English."
    • "I learned in elementary school."
    • "I lost Spanish as a child and relearned it."
  • Signs of a Quality Dual Language Program:
    • Celebrates cultural backgrounds in the classroom.
    • Creates equity in 2 language by celebrating minority language
    • Spanish and English teachers work well together
    • Taught authentically
    • Equity
    • Cohesion between the Dual Language Program and other programs
    • Mix of students from different backgrounds
  • Questions to Consider and Ask School Personnel:
    • Why aren't there more possibilities for Dual Language in DC Public Schools (DCPS)?
    • What types of resources and training are given to new teachers?
    • To what extent are teachers highly qualified in both language and content?
    • How are students assessed to see if they are making progress in both languages?
    • How often do the 2 teachers get to meet/plan together?
    • What textbooks are used?
    • How are students tested in Spanish?
    • What are the school's test scores?
    • What texts are used?