What characterizes maintenance bilingual programs?

What characterizes maintenance bilingual programs?

• A. Teaching only in English
• B. Instructing students in both their native tongue and English
• C. Providing only temporary support for English learning
• D. Focusing solely on cultural assimilation

Answer: (B)

Maintenance bilingual programs are designed to develop and sustain proficiency in both a student's native language and English. This dual-language approach acknowledges the importance of preserving the student's first language while simultaneously promoting English language skills. Such programs aim to ensure that students maintain their cultural identity and language fluency, which can lead to greater academic success and cognitive benefits. By instructing students in both languages, maintenance bilingual programs foster an environment where students can thrive academically in their native language while gaining the necessary skills to succeed in an English-speaking society. This approach not only values linguistic diversity but also enhances students' cognitive processes by leveraging their existing language skills.

Maintenance bilingual programs are designed to develop and sustain proficiency in both a student's native language and English. This dual-language approach acknowledges the importance of preserving the student's first language while simultaneously promoting English language skills. Such programs aim to ensure that students maintain their cultural identity and language fluency, which can lead to greater academic success and cognitive benefits.

By instructing students in both languages, maintenance bilingual programs foster an environment where students can thrive academically in their native language while gaining the necessary skills to succeed in an English-speaking society. This approach not only values linguistic diversity but also enhances students' cognitive processes by leveraging their existing language skills.