A better way to teach bilingual students

DALLAS, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Educators in Texas say a new method of teaching English to Spanish-speaking children is superior to the old way of delivering bilingual education.

Several school districts in Texas have abandoned an approach used for the 35 years and adopting "dual language," The Dallas Morning News reported Friday.

Education researchers said dual language is superior because it helps students develop skills in both English and their native Spanish.

With dual language, Spanish-speaking children receive approximately half their lessons in English and half in Spanish through the fifth or sixth grade. Under the bilingual system, the emphasis was on getting Spanish-speaking children into regular classrooms as early as second grade.

Researcher Wayne Thomas said he believes it comes down to basic brain science.

Thomas said the bilingual model stopped students' growth in their native language and interrupted the development of thinking skills.

The students may learn English, Thomas said, but they don't pick up basic skills such as addition and subtraction.