Is there a “best way” to learn a second language?

Photo by Sara Riaño on Unsplash

As an avid studier of languages, I am currently in my second year as a middle and high school Spanish teacher. Although I love my job, I have also always been curious in the process of learning languages, which is why I am now a part time student, and on my way to getting my Education Masters in Developmental Studies with a focus on Literacy and Language.

However, at the forefront of my interest in second language acquisition is the following question; is there actually one method that has been praised as being the most effective way of teaching/learning a second language in terms of leading a student to be the most proficient in the second language (proficiency in this case, meaning fluency in speech and full comprehension)? Two methods have been discussed thoroughly throughout the research of SLA: dual-language immersion programs and full-immersion programs. Schools have adopted both methods as ways to teach their students languages, but little research has been done regarding a comparison of the methods. If funding is minimal in regards to education, shouldn’t funding be poured into the one method that has been proven to work (if there even is one?)

What you should know about dual-immersion language programs:

• Instruction conducted in two languages for all content, following about 50%/50% [1]

• Overall goal to encourage bilingualism and biliteracy in students, enable academic achievement, and promote cross-cultural communication and understanding[1]

• Dual language programs benefit students in multiple ways: elevated student outcomes for English learners, heritage language learners, and native speakers of English [1]

What you should know about full-immersion language programs:

• Instruction is delivered mostly in the second language (about 90%) [2]

• Goals are very similar to those of dual-immersion programs, especially the focus on ensuring proficiency in both languages [2]

It should be noted that the goals of both programs are the same, and the only difference is the varying levels of instruction in the target language. So, which method is better in terms of leading to proficiency in a second language? More studies need to be conducted comparing the two most popular methods of language instruction. This is necessary because a need of bilingualism has been emerging in the world. It is the schools’ responsibility to prepare children for the world, so they should know which programs to offer to best teach proficiency in a second language to their students.

References

[1] Li, J., Steele, J., Slater, R., Bacon, M., & Miller, T. (2016). Teaching practices and language use in two-way dual language immersion programs in a large public school district. International Multilingual Research Journal, 10(1), 31-43.

[2] Lindholm, K. J., & Aclan, Z. (1991). Bilingual proficiency as a bridge to academic achievement results from bilingual/immersion programs. Journal of Education, 173(2), 99-113.