Opinion
Assessment Letter to the Editor

Multiple-Language Instruction Benefits the Common Core

December 10, 2012 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

Your article “Literacy Instruction Expected to Cross the Curriculum” (“Rethinking Literacy: Reading in the Common-Core Era,” Special Report, Nov. 14, 2012) brought up clear examples of the development of reading and writing skills in disciplines beyond English/language arts. Perhaps no other discipline exemplifies this strong connection more than the learning of other languages.

All four strands of the Common Core State Standards for English/language arts are developed and practiced as language-learners make meaning from what they hear, read, or view; engage in conversations; and present ideas and information.

When students engage in learning a second language, whether it is English in the case of our English-language learners or a second language for our English-speaking students, the literacy development is enhanced as the learner benefits from the cognitive gain as well as the cross-language connections. The content of a language class is often the concept of another discipline (e.g., science, social studies, math), which is particularly true in a dual-language immersion program in which the content of math, science, and other subjects is taught in the second language.

Achievement data show that students not only master the content areas learned through the second language, but that they often outscore their monolingual counterparts.

As we look at the critical skills our students will need to live and work in the global environment and the need to provide common subject matter in English/language arts and math, offering all students the opportunity to learn a second language in school becomes a no-brainer.

Martha G. Abbott

Executive Director

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

Alexandria, Va.

Related Tags:

A version of this article appeared in the December 12, 2012 edition of Education Week as Multiple-Language Instruction Benefits the Common Core

Events

Student Well-Being Webinar After-School Learning Top Priority: Academics or Fun?
Join our expert panel to discuss how after-school programs and schools can work together to help students recover from pandemic-related learning loss.
Budget & Finance Webinar Leverage New Funding Sources with Data-Informed Practices
Address the whole child using data-informed practices, gain valuable insights, and learn strategies that can benefit your district.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Classroom Technology Webinar
ChatGPT & Education: 8 Ways AI Improves Student Outcomes
Revolutionize student success! Don't miss our expert-led webinar demonstrating practical ways AI tools will elevate learning experiences.
Content provided by Inzata

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Assessment Opinion The Nation's Report Card Could Be Education's Data Gold Mine
Better support for educators, higher student achievement, improved tests are among the outcomes when researchers have access to NAEP data.
Mark Schneider & John Whitmer
5 min read
Abstract illustration of big data technology and artificial intelligence
Nicolas Herrbach/iStock/Getty Images
Assessment Opinion Can State Tests Be Useful for Instruction and Accountability?
An assessment company is aiming to eliminate the gap between what local assessments and the respective state test is delivering.
7 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Assessment Letter to the Editor State Exams Offer Pathways for Some—Not All—Learners
A parent writes a letter to the editor detailing her child's experience with state exams in New York.
1 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Assessment Q&A How to Use Formative Assessment to Accelerate Learning
An assessment expert explains how the technique helps teachers find and address the holes in student learning.
6 min read
Week 2: Formative Assessments 2700x1806
Adam Niklewicz for Education Week