What is a Bilingual Preschool?

A Bilingual Preschool is a preschool that integrates a second language component into its curriculum and daily routines. Some programs weave the second language in throughout the day while others switch from one language to the other depending on the day of the week. Whether you're looking for your child to maintain a connection to their home language or want to expose them to a second language for the first time, bilingual education may be a great option for your family.

What are the different types of bilingual programs?

There are different options for bilingual education programs, depending on how often the second language is used throughout the day.

Complete or full immersion refers to a preschool program that is conducted entirely in a foreign language. This means that English may not be spoken at all during the school day. It can be confusing at first for children who don’t speak the second language, but most teachers are good at incorporating gestures and other non-verbal communication to make sure the children understand.
Partial immersion means that instruction is conducted in English 50% of the day, and the second language is spoken during the other half of the day.
Two-way immersion or bilingual immersion combines children who speak the dominant language with children who speak a second language, and the teacher will use both languages.

In bilingual preschool programs, the teachers vary their use of each language depending on the type of program. Some programs may be more flexible with their language use and tailor it to each child’s ability or have a loose structure for switching between each language while others may be more structured.

If you’re considering a bilingual program for your child, it’s best to ask the teacher or Director how they integrate the second language to be sure it lines up with your goals for your child.

Why choose a bilingual or language immersion program?

You may choose a bilingual program if your family is already bilingual and you’d like to immerse your child in their home language or if you’d like to expose them to a new language for the first time.

Young children are primed for learning languages. Research shows that there are pathways in the brain specifically geared toward learning languages and if we don’t use them, we lose them. There is a small window of time, between birth and age five, where our brains are truly hardwired to absorb an infinite number of sounds. After age five it’s still possible to learn a new language, it’s just that it becomes more difficult.

In elementary school programs, the focus of language learning is usually on vocabulary and grammar and doesn’t often include a full immersion program. It’s easiest to learn or retain a language when we are using it socially and functionally.

In a language immersion program, the teacher is speaking entirely in the second language, and children are exposed to the nuances of that language. So when it comes to language learning for kids, the earlier the better.

The history of bilingual education

Before the 1960s, it was thought that speaking more than one language to a child would confuse them and hinder their ability to develop either language fluently. As we learn more about child development and the way language develops, we have started to see that this is far from the truth.

In fact, a 2008 study shows that children in bilingual programs outperform their peers in reading and writing tests in both languages and that the age of the exposure matters.

Now that we have evidence of the benefits of bilingual education, more programs have started to offer language immersion options.

Bilingual vs immersion: what’s the difference?

The terms bilingual and immersion are often used interchangeably, especially in early childhood.

“Bilingual” is commonly used to indicate that there is a second language component to the program but doesn’t say much about how often the second language is used or in what context it’s used.

In the elementary, middle, and high school years, language learning is often isolated from the rest of the day. Children may attend one period of a second language and attend the rest of their classes in their native language. Obviously, any exposure to a second language is beneficial for children, but when it comes to absorbing and retaining the language— immersion is key.

During the preschool years, it’s understood that children learn best through play and through social interactions with their peers. This is why language immersion programs are more likely to be found in preschool programs as opposed to isolated class periods dedicated to language learning.

In an immersion program, the second language is used for the entire day, or a substantial portion of the day and is the only language spoken at that time. In full immersion programs, all subjects are taught in the second language.

Benefits of bilingual preschool

There are a variety of benefits to exposing children to a second language. From boosting memory to increased self-regulation, bilingualism has a profound impact on a child’s cognitive development.

Raising your children bilingual helps them maintain ties to their cultural heritage or develop an appreciation for another culture. Plus, it opens doors for opportunities later in life when your child is all grown-up and ready to enter the workforce.

The pros and cons of bilingual school

If you’re considering bilingual education for your child, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. If you have questions or concerns about enrolling in a bilingual preschool program, don’t hesitate to lean on the directors of any schools you are looking at. They are there to help reassure you and ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Pros

Your child will be exposed to a second language during the critical period for language learning.
When it comes to learning a second language, the earlier the exposure, the better!
The critical period for language learning is from birth to around age five. During this time, children are primed to recognize and absorb the sounds needed to learn multiple languages. The pathways in our brains that allow us to learn multiple languages are preened away if we don’t use them, making it harder to learn later in life.
They’ll be using parts of their brain monolingual peers aren’t using, boosting their cognitive skills and increasing memory potential.
The ability to speak and understand another language opens doors professionally down the road.
They’ll develop an appreciation for another culture or have the chance to maintain a connection to their home culture.

Cons

Full immersion can be confusing for children at first
It’s an on-going commitment. Language learning happens over a lifetime, so it may take a while to see the benefits.
If you don’t speak the second language, it could be difficult for you to help with homework in elementary school if you continue with bilingual education.

How do I choose the right bilingual preschool?

Even if you don't speak the language offered, you can still determine whether a preschool program is high-quality. When you go for a tour, be sure to ask questions and observe the teachers and children to get an overall feel for the program.

Some questions you may want to ask prospective preschools are:

How much of the day is spent learning and speaking a language other than English?
How many teachers and how many children are in the classroom?
What qualifications do your teachers have?
What happens if my child has trouble understanding the second language?
Do most of the children in the program come from bilingual families?
What are the goals for the children in the classroom?

You can search for bilingual preschool programs near you on Winnie