Which ELL program uses the native language in core academic subjects throughout elementary school (sometimes extends to middle and high school)?

Which ELL program uses the native language in core academic subjects throughout elementary school (sometimes extends to middle and high school)?

• A. Developmental bilingual program
• B. Transitional bilingual program
• C. Monolingual program
• D. Dual-language program

Answer: (A)

This item probes how a program uses the native language to support content learning while developing English. Developmental (maintenance) bilingual education keeps instruction in the student’s native language for core academic subjects across elementary years (and sometimes into middle and high school). This approach helps students build strong content knowledge and literacy in their first language while also acquiring English, using L1 as a foundation to learn L2. This differs from transitional bilingual programs, which start with L1 but shift to English over time and eventually teach content in English only. A monolingual program teaches all subjects in English from the start. A dual-language program provides instruction in both languages for all students, aiming for bilingualism for everyone rather than prioritizing native-language instruction for core subjects.

This item probes how a program uses the native language to support content learning while developing English. Developmental (maintenance) bilingual education keeps instruction in the student’s native language for core academic subjects across elementary years (and sometimes into middle and high school). This approach helps students build strong content knowledge and literacy in their first language while also acquiring English, using L1 as a foundation to learn L2.

This differs from transitional bilingual programs, which start with L1 but shift to English over time and eventually teach content in English only. A monolingual program teaches all subjects in English from the start. A dual-language program provides instruction in both languages for all students, aiming for bilingualism for everyone rather than prioritizing native-language instruction for core subjects.