Final answer:
Bilingual education allows foreign-born students to learn English simultaneously with other subjects and integrate into the American educational system. Research supports the efficacy of bilingual education, and success stories like Lucy Alvarez's show both academic and professional advantages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Supporters of bilingual education highlight several benefits, which can include:
- Foreign-born students can learn English while also studying other subjects, integrating languages skillfully alongside academic content.
- It allows students to integrate better into the American educational system by maintaining their first language while acquiring fluency in English.
- Research indicates that students taught in their native language and English are more likely to make better progress than those taught in English alone.
For example, Lucy Alvarez's success story illustrates how bilingualism played a vital role in her academic success and is expected to benefit her professional pursuit in law enforcement, an area that values bilingual employees. Bilingual education assisted Lucy in maintaining her Spanish while becoming fluent in English, without sacrificing her understanding of other subjects such as math, science, and computing. This comprehensive educational approach not only enabled her to thrive but also set her up for a competitive advantage in the job market.
Furthermore, data from studies conducted at institutions like Johns Hopkins University reinforces the argument that bilingual education is advantageous for cognitive and academic development. These studies also counter the misconception that immersion in English alone would be a superior learning strategy. The overall educational experience of students, such as Lucy, who have access to bilingual education is positively enriched, leading to success not only in academia but also in their future careers.