What is the goal of a dual language program?

The goal of a dual language program is to serve both language minority and majority students concurrently. These programs are designed to promote bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural understanding among students. By integrating students from different language backgrounds into the same classroom, dual language programs aim to enhance language skills and academic achievement for all participants, regardless of their primary language.

This approach not only benefits language minority students, who may require support in developing proficiency in the dominant language, but also helps language majority students to gain an appreciation for other languages and cultures. The emphasis on collaboration and interaction fosters an inclusive environment that encourages mutual respect and communication among students from diverse backgrounds. This is fundamentally different from options that focus on exclusivity or limitations in interaction, which would undermine the very purpose of a dual language program.