Bilingualism Module

Bilingualism in education has an extensive research base from which students can draw. 

In recent times there has been considerable UK Government focus on the raising of attainment by bilingual pupils through National EAL Pilot/Programmes in both the Primary and Secondary phases.  Additionally, in the UK, there has been a noticeable increase in ‘New Arrival/New to English’ pupils, which has presented teachers, schools and Local Authorities with new challenges. The UK Government is currently  seeking to identify good practice in order to highlight the way forward for schools and Local Authorities with regard to  ‘New Arrivals/New to English’ pupils. 

Consequently, as we all increasingly live in a ‘global village’ the issues surrounding bilingualism are of the utmost importance in education today, and will continue to be so as being bilingual becomes the norm for the majority of people in the world.   

Through studying the bilingualism module it is hoped the student will further his/her own, and other professionals’, understanding of a range of bilingual issues.

There are many areas within bilingualism in which students could choose to focus. In order to provide some pointers  towards the major areas the generic term bilingualism covers,  a list (no order of importance)is provided below (both general and specific) for   potential bilingual module study foci.

Linguistic research into the different forms of bilingualism found in both UK and the wider world

Government initiatives, both historical and contemporary, to raise EAL/N2E pupil attainment

Initial Teacher training provision/needs in relation to the  education of bilingual pupils 

Academic achievement of different ethnic groups

The changing use, and  role, of heritage language in the education of bilingual pupils

 Established teachers’ understanding of bilingualism; EAL/N2E principles, pedagogy and practice & pupils’ ethnic  identity

How schools successfully develop an inclusive ethos, environment and curriculum for all bilingual pupils

Local Education Authority strategies for supporting schools with either large, or changing ethnic populations  

The use of speaking and listening as a tool for fast-tracking bilingual pupils’ language development

ICT/visual literacy/drama/creative curriculum etc as tools to promote language development

Gender gaps in bilingual pupils’ attainment

How bilingual pupils successfully access the National Curriculum   

How teachers are meeting the challenges in multi-lingual classrooms

The employment of bilingual staff in schools

Perceptions of Minority Ethnic parents/carers regarding the education of their siblings, including the use of heritage language in schools

The role of supplementary schools for bilingual pupils

Partnerships beyond the classroom;  with other schools/outside agencies (Linking projects)/extended visits abroad

Successful planning for language development and assessment of bilingual pupil needs

Ways to develop both cognitive and academic language proficiency for bilingual pupils

Personalised learning and the implications for bilingual pupils

Vygotskian and Piagetian approaches and their implications for the education of bilingual pupils

The role of school governors in bilingual education