What are multilingual education theories?(4)

13. Additive Multilingualism

• Key Idea: Additional languages should be acquired without sacrificing proficiency or fluency in the first language(s).
• Implications:
  • Prioritize the maintenance and development of students’ home languages while introducing new ones.
  • Create positive attitudes toward multilingualism among students and teachers.

14. Language Maintenance and Revitalization

• Key Idea: Education can play a critical role in preserving endangered languages and revitalizing them in communities.
• Implications:
  • Include indigenous and minority languages in the curriculum.
  • Design programs that promote intergenerational transmission of heritage languages.

15. Cognitive Advantages of Multilingualism

• Key Idea: Multilingualism enhances cognitive skills like problem-solving, creativity, and executive function.
• Implications:
  • Multilingual education should highlight these cognitive benefits to promote language learning.
  • Incorporate tasks that leverage multilingual students’ advanced cognitive abilities.

16. Code-Switching and Multilingual Learning

• Key Idea: Code-switching is a natural and beneficial communication strategy for multilingual learners.
• Implications:
  • Allow code-switching as a tool for scaffolding and meaning-making in the classroom.
  • Recognize code-switching as a sign of linguistic competence, not confusion.

(To be continued)