FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is the primary goal of the Dual Language (Two-Way) approach?

1. To teach only in English

2. To preserve native language skills without learning English

3. To ensure both ELLs and non-ELLs become proficient in both languages

4. To focus solely on reading and writing

The correct answer is: To ensure both ELLs and non-ELLs become proficient in both languages

The primary goal of the Dual Language (Two-Way) approach is to ensure that both English Language Learners (ELLs) and non-ELLs become proficient in both languages. This educational model promotes bilingualism and biliteracy by immersing students in a learning environment where instruction is delivered in two languages, typically English and another language, often the native language of some of the students. Through this approach, students have the opportunity to develop their language skills in both their first language and the second language simultaneously. This not only supports language acquisition but also fosters positive cross-cultural relationships among students. By integrating content and language learning, the curriculum is designed to enhance cognitive abilities and prepare students for a globalized world, where bilingualism is increasingly valuable. In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of the Dual Language approach. Teaching only in English would exclude the benefits of bilingual education, and focusing solely on read and write skills would limit the scope of language learning. Likewise, preserving native language skills without any development of English would fail to bridge the linguistic divide that the Dual Language model seeks to address comprehensively.