Bilingual education includes a variety of program types in which students learn academic content through two languages. Bilingual programs have benefits for all students, including but not limited to:
- Superior academic performance
- Greater inclusion for multilingual learners
- Ability to understand and relate to others from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds
- Future opportunities for employment in the global economy
The Multi-State Association for Bilingual Education (MABE) has compiled many resources that can support schools interested in exploring, developing, and implementing bilingual programs. See Dual Language Implementation Resources. Contact MABE or Jane Armstrong, ESOL State Specialist, at jane.armstrong@maine.gov for further information and resources.
Multilingual Education Task Force
The Maine Department of Education has concluded Phase 1 of the Multilingual Education Task Force (METF), an initiative to support the development of bilingual programs in Maine schools. The METF was co-facilitated by the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education, Northeast. The METF convened to collaboratively address the following three topics:
May 5, 2022: Examination of opportunities to implement dual language education programs Recording Slides
May 12, 2022: Identifying the challenges and solutions to implement dual language education
programs Recording Slides
May 23, 2022: Begin a strategic plan to build the foundation to implement dual language
education programs Recording Slides
To learn more about bilingual education, its benefits, various program models, and how to begin the implementation process, check out the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education website.