Blog #1: Identifying and Empowering Dual Language Learners: Insights from California State Preschool Programs
The DLL Master Plan Advocates convened three listening sessions with practitioners, one in fall 2023 and two in spring 2024, to delve deeper into their experiences of supporting DLLs in CSPP. These gatherings brought together a total of 53 CSPP teachers and administrators from across the state. This blog amplifies the voices of practitioners who participated in these listening sessions, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in identifying and serving DLLs.
Blog #2: The Need for Dual Language Learner Professional Development in the California State Preschool Program
DLLs have the potential to reap the academic, social, and cultural benefits of bilingualism when they are in early learning environments that effectively support the development of both their home language and English. Conversely, a lack of support for children’s language development brings a multitude of adverse effects, including home language loss, weakened family ties, and negative academic impacts. In the listening sessions that the DLL Master Plan Advocates held with CSPP administrators and teachers, participants raised a need for further professional development opportunities, particularly for supporting DLLs.
Blog #3: The DLL Identification Process: Celebrating Diversity and Enhancing Support for Dual Language Learners in California’s State Preschools
The field of early education has blossomed with cultural and linguistic diversity in recent years. Young DLLs, who represent the majority of children in California, have remarkable bilingual skills and cultural heritages that enrich the educational experience for everyone. This blog explores how teachers play a crucial role in shaping the success of these young children by creating inclusive educational environments and accurately identifying DLLs for tailored support and family involvement.
Blog #4: Engaging the Families of Dual Language Learners: Building Strong Partnerships in California State Preschool Programs
DLLs are children whose first language is a language other than English or children who are developing two or more languages, one of which may be English. This growing population of children in California’s Early Learning programs and classrooms enriches the learning environment with cultural and linguistic diversity. However, supporting their success requires strong partnerships between families and early educators. This blog shares how our recent listening sessions with CSPP teachers and administrators underscored the pressing need for culturally and linguistically responsive family engagement strategies to effectively support DLL children and their families.
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