[PDF] Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education

What is the role of language in learning?

The language is always believed to play a central role in learning. No matter what the subject area, students assimilate new concepts when they listen, talk, read and write about what they are learning. Speaking and writing reflects the thinking process that is taking place.

Why is language important for effective communication?

Language is foremost a means of communication, and communicationalmost always takes place within some sort of social context. This is whyeffective communication requires an understanding and recognition of theconnections between a language and the people who use it.

What role does each language play in preserving culture?

Each language plays a role in preserving culture, because in a nation-state, the government often forms a national language policy and adopts the majority’s language for nation-building and integration through education.

What is the role of language in teaching foreign and second languages?

In the context of teaching foreign and second languages we are used to consider language as a medium for everyday and often fairly trivial communicative activities. We are also well aware of its function for retrieving information from all sorts of verbal sources.