Bilingual Education

Learn more about the education model where students are taught part of the day in their first language and the rest of the day in a language that is new to them, typically English
Students in the dual language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025.
Students in the dual language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025. A new California poll found high demand for such programs, especially from Latino families.
Courtney Pedroza for Education Week
English Learners Latino Families Show High Demand for Bilingual Education, Poll Finds
Families in California were polled as to their interest in bilingual education programs.
Ileana Najarro, November 17, 2025
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4 min read
Students in the dual-language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025.
Students in the dual-language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025. Experts say all students can benefit from dual-language education, but there's a long way to go toward making these programs equitable.
Courtney Pedroza for Education Week
English Learners Dual-Language Programs Are Hobbled By a Catch-22
Experts discuss the challenges facing dual-language programs and how they can serve all students.
Jennifer Vilcarino, October 24, 2025
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3 min read
Second grade students raise their hands in Dalia Gerardo's classroom at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022.
Second grade students raise their hands in Dalia Gerardo's classroom at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022. Gerardo is a bilingual educator. Experts say Hispanic educators with bilingual certification can boost English learners' academic performance.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English Learners Why Bilingual Hispanic Teachers Make a Big Difference for English Learners
A new study found benefits from hiring teachers of color with language certifications.
Ileana Najarro, October 14, 2025
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3 min read
First grader Kamila Reyes works on an assignment in Diana Oviedo-Holguin’s English learner class at Heritage Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 3, 2025.
First grader Kamila Reyes works on an assignment in Diana Oviedo-Holguin’s dual-language class at Heritage Elementary School in San Antonio, on Sept. 3, 2025. The district is making cross-language connections a central part of its shift to the science of reading.
Noah Devereaux for Education Week
Reading & Literacy How the 'Science of Reading' Can Support English Learners
English learners are sometimes an afterthought in 'science of reading' policies. Some educators want to change that.
Sarah Schwartz, September 22, 2025
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9 min read
A kindergartner at the Raul Yzaguirre School spells a word in English and Spanish.
A kindergartner at the Raul Yzaguirre School spells a word in English and Spanish.
Smiley N. Pool for Education Week
English Learners Professional Learning Guide Your Guide to English Learners
Explore strategies to help create an inclusive classroom, support language acquisition, and drive academic success across all subjects.
August 12, 2025
Fifth graders listen during Durdana Qayum’s Urdu lesson at Allen Jay Elementary School in High Point, N.C., on Jan. 28, 2025.
Fifth graders listen during Durdana Qayum’s Urdu lesson at Allen Jay Elementary School in High Point, N.C., on Jan. 28, 2025. Bilingual education programs, like dual-language immersion programs at Allen Jay, are the most effective models for English learners.
Rachel Jessen for Education Week
English Learners Bilingual Education vs. English-Only: What the Research Says
Researchers shared findings from decades of studies on the effects of bilingual education at a June webinar.
Ileana Najarro, August 1, 2025
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4 min read
Spelling Bee BS
Curriculum Video How This Small, Title I District Is Churning Out Spelling Bee Champions
This district has won the National Spanish Spelling Bee six times. But winning isn't the only goal behind its efforts.
Lauren Santucci, August 1, 2025
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2:03
Evelyn Juarez speaks during the awards dinner for the National Spanish Spelling Bee at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 12, 2025. Juarez, the first winner of the NSSB, is a medical student at the University of New Mexico.
Evelyn Juarez speaks during the awards dinner for the National Spanish Spelling Bee at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 12, 2025 in Albuquerque, N.M. Juarez, the first winner of the NSSB, is a medical student at the University of New Mexico.
Adria Malcolm for Education Week
English Learners How a Spanish Spelling Bee Winner Serves Her Community as an Adult
Evelyn Juarez was the first-ever winner of the National Spanish Spelling Bee, and today she continues to use her bilingual skills to serve her community.
Jennifer Vilcarino, July 15, 2025
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5 min read
Illustration of English and Spanish textbooks.
Chris Whetzel for Education Week<br/>
English Learners Explainer Does Speaking Two Languages Hurt Students? Experts Say No
Experts share insights on what research says about the effect of learning more than one language at once.
Ileana Najarro, May 30, 2025
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4 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Teachers Have to Endure Plenty of Short-Sighted Mandates. Here Are 3 of Them
There’s so much bad advice about teaching that it can be hard to choose the worst. These teachers tried anyway.

Larry Ferlazzo, October 15, 2024
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9 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion Research Studies That Teachers Can Get Behind
Not every education study is transformational for student learning. These studies are.
Larry Ferlazzo, September 23, 2024
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8 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaks at the agency's Seal of Biliteracy Summit on June 24, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The gathering celebrated the special designation on high school diplomas that recognize students' bilingualism.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaks at the agency's Seal of Biliteracy Summit on June 24, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The gathering celebrated the special designation on high school diplomas that recognize students' bilingualism.
Isaiah Hayes/Education Week
English Learners Students Nationwide Can Earn a Seal of Biliteracy. How It Can Be More Accessible
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to formalize a seal that celebrates students' bilingualism.
Ileana Najarro & Isaiah Hayes, June 27, 2024
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4 min read
A group of fourth grade students complete lessons in Spanish in the Global Immersion Academy program at Mountain View Elementary School, on Sept. 18, 2022, in Morganton, N.C. With the inaugural class of the Global Immersion Academy (GIA) at at the school entering fourth grade this year, Burke County Public Schools is seeing more signs of success for its dual language program.
Fourth-grade students complete lessons in Spanish in the Global Immersion Academy program at Mountain View Elementary School, on Sept. 18, 2022, in Morganton, N.C. New national poll data finds a majority of parents prefer bilingual education programs.
Jason Koon/The News-Herald via AP
English Learners How Parents Feel About Bilingual Schools and English-Only Programs
A majority of parents would prefer to enroll their children in bilingual education programs.
Ileana Najarro, June 21, 2024
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4 min read
052824 Translanguaging Thumb BS
English Learners Video ‘Translanguaging Is What Bilinguals and Multilinguals Do’: A Primer for Teachers
What is translanguaging? Here is a guide to the practice, as well as examples for incorporating it in the classroom.
Ileana Najarro & Jaclyn Borowski, May 28, 2024
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3:47
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