Brignoni, seated, far right, says that students who learn in their
native language typically achieve more academically.
Bilingual, one goal
UNO pilot program leads the way to
state endorsement
A newly established bilingual instruction program at UNO
is getting rave reviews — in Spanish and English. Initiated by Evangelina
(Gigi) Brignoni, assistant professor of teacher education, the pilot program is
the first approved by the Nebraska Department of Education for teachers seeking
an endorsement in bilingual instruction.
"We need to do the right thing for kids," says Brignoni.
"We need to meet their needs through language."
Brignoni first saw the need for such a program while
visiting Omaha Public Schools (OPS) dual-language classes, where native
languages of students are used for instruction. Half the students speak English
and the other half speaks Spanish. Two teachers, one for each language,
instruct the class.
Raising the bar
The goal of the class is to raise language levels for both
groups of students. Yet Brignoni found that most bilingual teachers had limited
training in effective classroom practices for dual-language settings. To help,
Brignoni in the summer of 2007 offered her first bilingual class, Spanish
Language Arts Methodology, and taught it entirely in Spanish. Susan Mayberger,
ESL /migrant coordinator for OPS, helped recruit OPS bilingual teachers for the
class.
The class was so successful that Brignoni approached Lana
Danielson, chair of teacher education, with the idea of creating a curricular
path leading toward a bilingual endorsement.
Collaborative effort
A committee (Brignoni, Danielson and Mayberger; Becky
Schnabel, coordinator of student services; Yvonne Tixier y Vigil, assistant
professor of teacher education; and Carolyn Gascoigne, chair of foreign
languages) developed a graduate plan of study to help bilingual elementary and
secondary school teachers receive a Nebraska endorsement for bilingual
instruction.
Candidates must complete an interview with a three-person
panel and write a sample letter to parents in Spanish. Brignoni says
demographics are the reason behind the program's start with Spanish, noting a U.S.
Census Bureau report that "Hispanics are expected to total 18 percent of the
U.S. population by 2020."
The National Association for Bilingual Education indicates
that students learn best in their native language: "Studies show students using
their native language skills leads to higher levels of academic achievement as
well as proficient bilingualism and biliteracy — increasingly valuable skills
in today's global economy."
UNO's program includes courses taught in Spanish and a
dual-language practicum; 24 credit hours are required for the endorsement.
Participants in the program began their second class this summer. The 16-member
group is split evenly between native Spanish and English speakers.
Reaching students
"While the participants know how to speak Spanish, they
have never learned how to teach in Spanish. There is a difference," says
Brignoni. Participants will learn how to effectively teach and reach their
students, she adds. Current members should finish the program in May 2009.
"It has really helped me feel more confident about my
knowledge of the Spanish language, literature, art and culture," says program
participant Patricia Bejarano. "It has also helped me obtain resources to
further expand both my writing and speaking skills."
Sasha Chavez credits the program for keeping her in
Nebraska. "This is something I have been interested in obtaining, but until
now, the closest place I could obtain this endorsement is Illinois. My
preference is to stay here and serve my community. Thanks to the endorsement
offering, I can share what I have learned with my students in OPS."
Validation
Adds Heidi Beckwith: "This endorsement will help me by
developing my teaching vocabulary in Spanish, and giving me opportunities to
learn new strategies and ways I can help my students in my language arts
classes."
Brignoni is delighted with such responses: "They feel
validated by this class and what UNO is offering."
The program also is valued by OPS. "I think that it is a
wonderful opportunity for teachers to prepare to work with our diverse student
population," says Mayberger. "It will certainly help OPS in providing highly
qualified bilingual teachers for the Dual-Language program."
As the pilot program evolves, Brignoni plans to expand its
reach to teachers in other districts.
"In the U.S. we open our arms to all people," she says.
"It's this country that wants to do the right things for kids."
Participants in
UNO's bilingual instruction program will receive an endorsement from the
Nebraska Department of Education.
