Literacy instruction for students acquiring English: moving beyond the immersion debate

The immersion vs bilingual education debate is reviewed, & it is recommended that to provide powerful learning environments, the quick-exit mentality of bilingual programs should be reversed to a late-exit approach to develop high levels of proficiency in both the native & second languages of students. Also, it is suggested that bilingualism be promoted for all students, & that traditionally taught English as a second language only programs be replaced. Practices recommended to promote this view of language & literacy development include pairing students heterogeneously for activities, using wordless picture books to elicit language, incorporating language experience activities, using shared reading activities, using songs, poems, stories, games, role plays, story theater, puppetry, tapes, dramatizations, & storytelling activities, & using authentic literature. Recommendations are made for the selection of materials & for the encouragement of parental support. 15 References. B. Gadalla