Equity
Reporting Project
Two languages, great advantages
Are dual language programs a bridge to opportunity and a brighter future for our nation’s English learners?
By 2025, nearly one out of every four public school students in the United States is expected to be learning English as a second language. Pressure is mounting as school districts across the country struggle to give English learners the same quality education as their English-speaking peers.
In her two-part series in Spanish, Alejandra Lagos takes an in-depth look at the challenges facing English learners. Specifically, she explores the grandes ventajas or great advantages of dual language programs, as well as the risks when they are not implemented properly. We see firsthand how teachers, by providing ample support in the students’ native languages, are ensuring that the Common Core standards are accessible to English learners. We also witness some of the benefits for children mastering both English and their native language.
The television series first aired nationally on Univision on July 15 and July 18, 2015, respectively.
Story Links
For an English translation, open these links in a Chrome browser and use Google’s free translation application.
Part 1: Los estudiantes que aprenden inglés necesitan apoyo en su lengua materna
Strong support in mother language benefits English language learners.
Part 2: Dos idiomas, grandes ventajas
Two languages, great advantages.
Alejandra Lagos joined Univision News Network as an editorial and digital producer for their multimedia education initiative. She has been reporting on various education topics involving early childhood education, Common Core, and college and career readiness. Lagos has a master’s in education from New York University, as well as more than eight years of teaching and facilitating experience in New York City public schools.