Doyle´s School

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3rd Grade Teacher

Foreign languages Teacher

Karen Gutierrez

Fernando Lozano

Kinder DL T eacher

Paulina Jaramillo

There's no creativity without fun,No innovation without creativity,No success without innovation.Are you ready to do awesome things?

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Come with me and help me!

I wanna make sure these are reliable opinions.Some of my teachers have startred to doubt our model so I want to take a look at these perspectives and research the truth of these arguments

Hi, I am Mr. Doyle, better known as the super Bilingual Principal.I am a principal at a major bilingual Institution in Colombia but I have encontered a huge problem lately. There are some other institutions, social media and people labeling the bilingual system as "useless"

Doyle´s school!

superpresentation

index

conclusions

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contrastive analysis

academic point of view

newspaper´s and blog's and new´s opinion

Colombia´s educational system

Let´s focus in our department, El Valle del Cauca

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• In Cali, Valle del cauca as a part of the public politics, the training and updating of teacher is a main proposal. It aims that teachers can use in their pedagogical practices the " Tecnologies for learning and knowledge".

(Alcaldía de Santiago de Cali, 2016)

• In El Cerrito, Valle del cauca the municipal council as a part of the municial development plan, currently implements programmes to improve the quality of education in terms o bilinguism.

(Alcaldía de El Cerrito, 2023)

Bilingual education en valle del cauca, colombia

• Currently the bilingual education in Colombia is mostly focused on private schools, where they can hire teachers with a professional degree different from pedagogical education degree, as long as the instituion is welling to provide them the necessary pedagogical tolls as a part of their training. (Law 115, 1994)

• In Colombia Teachers who aspire to work in elementary and middle school in private institutions should have at least a certified B2 English level.

• Some private schools promote CLIL classes walking towards the bilingual education avoiding Spanish in the classes.

CurreNt state of bilingual education Colombia- primary

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The Colombian educational system has a decentralized structure. This means that the State transfers functions and powers of the administration of the territorial entities and gives them autonomy so that they can develop them freely. To this extent, the operation of the educational system depends on the Ministry of National Education and the Secretariats of Education. Know the particular responsibilities of each one.https://fundacionexe.org.co/aprende-del-sistema-educativo-colombiano/#1707957955398-2ef076eb-a4b9

Lets take a look at colombia´s educational system

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2. Canadian college Blog

Academic bilingualism refers to the ability to learn and use two languages in educational and professional contexts. In Colombia, academic bilingualism has been promoted through educational policies that seek to integrate the learning of English from early stages. The “Colombia Bilingüe” program, launched in 2004, is a clear example of this approach, with the objective of improving English proficiency in basic and secondary education students. Despite these efforts, results have been mixed. According to the National English Proficiency Report (ECPE), published in 2022, the level of English proficiency of Colombian students remains low compared to other Latin American countries. This underlines the need to strengthen teaching strategies and increase investment in teacher training.(Canadian College, 2024)

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“The truth is that as an advertising strategy it works. Large billboards will advertise “bilingualism” (or trilingualism, mixed with a few hours of French, Italian or some other language that is considered useful for business in the future) as a “differentiating” brand that will surely give the institution the possibility . To appear in some unreliable, but quite decorated, ranking of the best schools in Medellín, Cali or Bogotá. Justifying in turn, a tuition cost that in the long term will add up annually to more than a degree at several of the most prestigious universities in the country. Meanwhile, teachers, in their obligation to obey a failed system (of whose failure, moreover, we are always fully aware) will find conflict when they understand that they are not serving the interest of genuine learning of the students, but that of the few who manage . to the company that profits under a mirage of education.” (Caicedo. A, 2020)

1. Newspaper: " Las dos orillas"

Opinions from social agents

Opinions from social agents

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3. Caracol news (local channel)

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As the author mentions based on Sanchez and Rodriguez: " According to studies, bilingual children use more areas of the brain, especially those related to language processing, which are located on the left side of the brain. In turn, this provides them with greater cognitive flexibility and better non-linguistic skills to address tasks that involve problem solving and decision making (Sánchez, 2013). Furthermore, it has been observed that bilingual training can have a positive impact on children's ability to differentiate basic sounds from the languages they use, which suggests greater efficiency in the processing of auditory information" (Rodríguez, 2011). (Brito-Chiquillo et al., 2023)

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1. Adoption of English as a Second Language, a Competitive Component of Education (2023)

Academic point of view

As the author mentions based on Lemke:"Instead of focusing on individual speakers and listenersspeaking to one another using discrete languages or codes (or semiotic systems), it would bemore productive to view them as co-ordinated parts of an assemblage of agents and resources allentrained (i.e. drawn or pulled along) into the fluid, dynamic flow of meaning making. In particular,Lemke (2016, 1) writes, ‘The traditional view of these matters is insufficient in part because it pre-sumes separate and isolated language systems as pre-existing realities and in part because it over-emphasizes conscious choice within such systems by speakers".(Lin, 2019)

Theories of trans/languaging and trans-semiotizing: implications for content-based education classroomsAs the author mentions based on Lo and Macaro : "If Alex is not allowed to language and translanguage (constructing ideas using all of his plurilingual resources), the students ‘active co-construction of knowledge cannot take place in the science classroom. It would be reduced toteacher monologic lecturing like that observed in many EMI lessons in Hong Kong ." (Lo and Macaro 2012):

If you want to have a better reception of the foreign language, you must follow a process of "environment/language" relationship to enhance the skills equally in both languages. The linguistic reinforcement of the first language is also mentioned both in writing and in speech so as not to hinder the learning process, since the deficiencies of the mother tongue only create greater confusion in the speaker.(Alzate & Galarzar, 2022)

• Bilingualism in Colombia, a great opportunity in the labor field (2022)1. Nowadays, speaking a second language is seen as a demanding communication skill, since the demands of today's world increasingly require more people to be able to communicate in a second language fluently without affecting their mother tongue. For this reason, the strategies necessary to learn the language from the grammatical level and accurately develop each competence using tools from their own language and facilitate learning with a greater range of effectiveness are also mentioned.

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Acccording to the most representative advances to date, the intellectual and cognitive benefits of bilingualism in children can be evidenced in the promotion of brain executive functions. These functions direct the care process, which benefits planning and organization. In addition, bilingualism improves children's spatial vision, concentration, memory and creativity. It also contributes to learning more languages and improves communication skills. Regarding literacy, bilingualism contributes to greater access to information (Brito-Chiquillo et al., 2023)

Adoption of English as a Second Language, a Competitive Component of Education. Colombian Applied Linguistic Journa"From an economic perspective, bilingualism generates greater job opportunities, since mastery of a second language facilitates obtaining better income. Bilingual people have higher salaries than those who only speak one language and English language skills have ceased to be an additional resource and have become an essential and mandatory skill. In addition, bilingualism expands the advantages in mobility, since it allows you to take advantage of development opportunities outside the native country"

Academic point of view

Cognitive and Intellectual Benefits of Bilingualism:

Economic and Professional Advantages of Bilingualism:

From an economic perspective, bilingualism significantly improves job opportunities and income potential, as English language skills, in particular, have become essential in the global job market. Bilingual individuals also experience enhanced career mobility, with more opportunities available internationally. This research underscores the practical, career-enhancing benefits of bilingualism in today’s globalized economy, making it a highly valuable skill for personal and professional advancement (Brito-Chiquillo et al., 2023).

Research by Sánchez (2013) and Rodríguez (2011) highlights how bilingualism enhances cognitive flexibility and non-linguistic skills, such as problem-solving and decision-making. According to these studies, bilingual children activate more brain areas, especially those involved in language processing, leading to greater efficiency in auditory processing. This demonstrates how bilingualism supports cognitive development beyond language proficiency, fostering skills that contribute to general learning abilities and mental agility (Brito-Chiquillo et al., 2023).

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One last thing I realized on this adventure, is that both referents provide evidence highlighting the importance of starting bilingualism processes at an early age in Colombia because early exposure to a second language can enhance cognitive development and language acquisition. However, they also stress the need for professional development for teachers to make sure of the effectiveness of the programs. Teachers need important skills such as emotional learning and language proficiency as it plays a crucial role in supporting students' linguistic and social growth.

After doing some research, I got to the conclusion that both perspectives vary (social actors and textual sources) because both present supportive and critical viewpoints. Some people advocate for its benefits, praising its potential to enhance global competitiveness, others talk about challenges such as resource limitations and concerns over educational quality

I also came to the conclusion that social referents are influenced by personal experiences and cultural contexts, reflecting the perspectives and values of individuals or communities. They tend to be more immediate, accessible and grounded in everyday life. In contrast, the academic referents are based on theoretical frameworks, drawing on a more complex understanding of the phenomena, suggesting that they serve different but complementary roles in how we make sense of the world

bASED ON OUR RESEARCH ADVENTURE, THESE ARE THE CONCUSIONS I CAME ACROSS WITH:

Thanks!

• Alcaldía de El Cerrito. (2023). Plan de Desarrollo Municipal.
• Alcaldía de Santiago de Cali. (2016). La política pública de bilingüismo en Santiago de Cali.
• Alzate, A., & Galarzar, G. (2022). El bilingüismo en Colombia, una gran oportunidad en el campo laboral. Universidad EAN. https://repository.universidadean.edu.co/server/api/core/bitstreams/a1304f4f-1c4a-4736-b3a5-aaf134de263a/content
• Brito-Chiquillo, J. G., Ojeda-Pertuz, D. C., & Hernández-Palma, H. G. (2023). Adoption of English as a Second Language, a Competitive Component of Education. Colombian Applied Linguistic Journal, Vol. 25(No. 1, 2023), 86–96.
• Caicedo. A. (2020, September 21). El fracaso de la educación “bilingüe” en Colombia. Las dos orillas, 1–1. https://www.las2orillas.co/el-fracaso-de-la-educacion-bilingue-en-colombia/
• Canadian College. (2024). Análisis sobre bilingüismo en Colombia. Canadian College Blog. https://www.canadiancollege.edu.co/blog/bilinguismo-en-colombia
• Fundación empresarios para la educación. (2024). Aprender del sistema educativo colombiano y sus normas. https://fundacionexe.org.co/aprende-del-sistema-educativo-colombiano/#1707957955398-2ef076eb-a4b9
• Law 115 of 1994 (1994, february 8) Congress of Colombia, Pub. L. No. Article 199 (1994).Lin, A. M. Y. (2019). Theories of trans/languaging and trans-semiotizing: implications for content-based education classrooms. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 22(1), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2018.1515175
• Noticias Caracol. (2022, April 29). ¿Educación bilingüe y plurilingüe? Ingrid Betancourt responde en El país de los jóvenes [Broadcast]. Youtube.

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Bilingualism enriches children’s cognitive development by activating more brain areas, particularly those linked to language processing. This heightened brain engagement fosters greater cognitive flexibility and improves skills like problem-solving and decision-making. Additionally, bilingual training sharpens children’s ability to distinguish sounds in each language, enhancing their auditory processing. These advantages highlight how bilingualism supports both language and overall cognitive skills, preparing children for complex tasks beyond language use.

One the biggest disadvantages of hiring bilingual teachers with a professional training in other areas, not specifically related to the education, is the big amount of obstacles that they can find in areas such as CLIL methodology, group management, cohexistance troubles in the classroom, among others. Due to that, is necessary, as the blog´s article mentions , that educative institutions take seriously the teacher´s training so that they can make the most of their proficiency skills, to improve educational quality and avoid inconvenients in the classroom.

Bilingualism offers valuable economic and cognitive benefits. Economically, it improves job prospects, leads to higher salaries, and enables mobility for opportunities abroad. Cognitively, bilingualism enhances planning, concentration, memory, and communication skills, helping children develop stronger learning abilities and access to information. These advantages underscore the broad impact of bilingualism in today’s world.

In the specific case of Colombia, the political/ geographical division of the country is conformed by departments rather than States. Therefore, there isn´t that much of a variation in the legislations that rule one department or another. Educational policies are pretty much determined by the ministry of national education.

In the particular context of Colombian private schools, one of the biggest challenges that students and teachers face in regard of bilingual educations are mandates from superiors that often contradicts the initial idea of providing bilingual classes, by eliminating Spanish language in advance. Many cases this decision is justified on the fact that the students don't have anyone else in their context to communicate in English with. However, this turns out backfairing and discouraging many cases, considering how hard it is for students to get an initial scaffolding when they can just be guided on TPR techniques to find out what the teacher is trying to communicate.

For effective foreign language learning, it is essential to build connections between the language and environment, ensuring balanced development in both the new and native languages. Reinforcing the first language in speaking and writing supports this process, as gaps in native language skills can lead to confusion. Approaches like translanguaging—using all of a learner’s linguistic resources—enable students to actively construct knowledge and participate meaningfully in classroom learning. Rather than treating languages as isolated systems, viewing them as interconnected resources helps create a more fluid and dynamic process of meaning-making.

"Colombia needs to be inserted at great speed into the third millennium and the education is the only way to get it. How are we going to get it? We must focus on the smaller kids. from 0-5 years old. The preschool education has to be bilingual. We have to open at once the country to the globalization. If we don´t do it, we are already delayed with all the world that we will have to face in the future. Noticias Caracol." (Noticias Caracol, 2022)

In the other hand, is a huge advantage for school´s to have bilingual teachers with a professional backgroung in specific areas and different careers, in the sense of being able to provide for specialized approach to the content that can be of great use for students in their process for a L2 acquisition that, as well as it was said in this televised debate, it should be fostered from a the earliest stages of students.