Teaching Multilingual Early Learners  

The terms Multilingual Early Learner, Dual Language Learner (DLL), or Early Childhood English Language Learner (ECELL) may be used to describe young children whose home language is not English.  

Families and professionals may wonder about the differences among instruction models used to teach multilingual early learners.  

This tip sheet provides information about two common language models. Examples are provided to show how they can be applied to early learning settings.    

Dual-Language Immersion (or Two-Way Immersion)

• Description: Language instruction and academic instruction are provided in both English and another targeted language. 
• Benefits: This model is useful for multilingual children and English only speakers who wish to become bilingual. 
• Example: Children whose home language is English are enrolled in the same classroom with children whose home language is Spanish. All the children are taught in both English and Spanish throughout the day. All the children are encouraged to communicate in both English and Spanish. Bilingualism, biliteracy, academic learning, and cross-cultural knowledge in both English and Spanish are promoted in this model. 

English Language Development with Home Language Support

• Description: English is the primary language of instruction, but the home language is used and supported (to varying degrees) to facilitate understanding of content, and as a bridge to English. 
• Benefits: This model is often used in preschool settings as it promotes children’s continued use of the home language while they are learning English. 
• Example: Young children whose home language is Spanish are primarily taught in English. Early care and education staff also support (to varying degrees) the use of Spanish in the classroom. Staff may often use visual print strategies such as labeling common items in the classroom (e.g., chair, door, window, table, etc.) in both English and Spanish. Staff read picture books to the children in English but also teach the key concepts from the books in Spanish. Early care and education staff strongly encourage the families whose home language is Spanish to have their child speak Spanish at home and in the community. All program materials (e.g., newsletters) about classroom activities, projects, and routines are shared in both English and Spanish with children’s families to promote the inclusion of all families in the early learning program. 

IEL Resource

• Resource List: English Language Learners