New Findings Released On Dual Language Learners

May 23, 2013

A paper released this month concludes there are strong benefits to dual language instruction for children who grow up speaking a language other than English at home.

The number of kids entering school who grow up with two languages has grown by 40 percent in the last decade. 

But what is the best way to educate these students in the years leading up to kindergarten?

Three researchers, including Arizona State University emeritus professor Eugene Garcia, analyzed the scientific literature on this topic. 

They found that children who speak a language other than English at home benefit the most when they're pre-kindergarten classes include instruction in their native language, as well as English.

"If you do that, then you will get much faster acquisition of English," Garcia said. "And elimination of what most other researchers have found as an achievement gap at the beginning of kindergarten."

The researchers are now studying dual language learners in over 200 cities nationwide.