I was asked an interesting question the other day. “How far should our Dual Language program go? Through elementary? Middle School? Or High School?”

There are so many ways we can answer that question. By definition, a Dual Language program needs to be at least 6 years, starting at Kindergarten and stretching through at least the 5th grade. So at the bare minimum, it is enough to satisfy the definition of Dual Language by having the program during those six years.

But I posit that the purpose of education is never to do the bare minimum but to maximize our students’ potential. One way we can do this is by giving our students a head start by stretching the program into early childhood. Younger children have less inhibitions when learning language and will likely pick up both the target language and English quickly when they start early.

But to answer the original question, I would suggest that your Dual Language program extend through middle school and high school. Language is such that when you do not use it, you tend to lose it. Students in secondary school who have been through dual language programs will tend to favor English due to its status in the United States.* Therefore, the continued opportunity to use the language will not only ensure that language skills do not decline but that students will continue to grow those skills at high academic levels. Furthermore, as students get into high school, they will have greater success on AP exams and achieve the Seal of Biliteracy if they continue to practice the language daily.

Additionally, students’ ability to use the language in professional settings will only grow as you extend the program. By high school, target language classes in translating/interpreting, biology, law, and math can prepare students to use their language skills in career settings. 

Of course, curricular and human resources  in the target language may be harder to come by as the grade level gets higher, but this is balanced by the fact that you do not need as many classes in the target language at the secondary level.  Rather than maintaining at least 50% of instructional time in the target language as we do at the elementary level, students at the secondary level only need two classes in the target language. The first needs to be a high level language arts class.  AP Spanish classes and translation classes count. The second should be in a content area class.  The more choices students have in the latter, the better, but this second requirement has enough latitude to allow you to make decisions based on teachers available.

So how far should your Dual Language program go? At least from Kindergarten to 6th grade but preferably, all the way to 12th. If you need help designing your secondary Dual Language program, please contact me. I’m more than happy to help!

*Please adapt to your country and the dominant language there.