Curriculum and Teacher Training in Bilingual Education: A Vision for the 80's.

Overview & Synopsis

While much has been done in the area of bilingual education since Title VII was passed in 1968, some changes in the direction of programs should be made. Advances have occurred in systematizing curriculum development, producing more materials, developing teacher competencies, and generating greater interest in bilingual education. However, preservice education has prepared few teachers to work with minority students and in bilingual programs. Furthermore, teacher education has not addressed the prevailing tendency, reflected even in national policy and legislation, to view bilingual education programs as remedies for the problems of non-English speakers, and to emphasize language more than culture in such programs. Redirecting bilingual education requires that: (1) programs integrate culture and history into the curriculum, thus reflecting the aims of parents who initially called for bilingual education for their children; (2) bilingual education not be identified with compensatory education, which assumes that speaking a language other than English is a limitation; (3) teacher education emphasize field training, humanistic approaches, the teacher's role as change agent, and training of paraprofessionals; (4) curriculum development consider the many factors surrounding schooling and students' lives; and (5) research focus on elements leading to quality and effectiveness in bilingual education. (Author/MJL)