In a school district on the southern border, second graders spend their mornings solving math problems in Spanish and their afternoons writing creative essays in English. They switch languages with ease, not because it’s trendy, but because their school was built for it.
These students aren’t just learning to read or count; they’re learning to think in two languages, drawing on their lived experiences to shape a broader understanding of the world. As future teachers navigate a rapidly evolving classroom landscape, programs like the online Master of Science (M.S.) in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Reading program from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) help them be part of that change.
Building a Bilingual Classroom
A bilingual classroom doesn’t only serve students who speak a language other than English at home. It creates a space where multiple languages and cultures thrive together and where both native English speakers and English learners grow linguistically and academically. Dual-language immersion programs, which teach content in two languages throughout the school day, are one way to foster bilingual classrooms. For example, a dual-language program might teach math and science in Spanish in the morning and social studies and reading in English in the afternoon.
Since, according to the National Education Association (NEA), one in four students in the U.S. can be classified as an “English learner,” these programs aim to cultivate respect for linguistic variety and prepare students for a globally interconnected world. Multilingual classrooms can build greater empathy and stronger long-term academic outcomes.
Equally important is implementing culturally responsive teaching, a framework that connects students’ home cultures to topics in school. As outlined in Education Week, culturally responsive pedagogy allows educators to integrate “students’ customs, characteristics, experience, and perspectives as tools for better classroom instruction.” Bilingual educators who incorporate local stories, home language literacy and family histories into the curriculum help students feel seen and motivated to learn.
Initiatives to Foster Bilingualism
Supporting bilingualism requires system-wide investment and a long-term vision. One of the most effective initiatives advancing this mission is the SEAL model, which focuses on early academic language development and teacher training, with a strong emphasis on family partnerships. Through this Californian model, students build literacy and academic knowledge simultaneously, empowering them to grow as bilingual, biliterate learners.
Similarly, the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) highlights the duality of rewarding students who excel in language learning but scolding those who are fluent in a language other than English. States must adjust their educational ecosystems to support bilingual learners, including advocating for fair language assessments, better-prepared educators and inclusive curriculum standards. NASBE recognizes what bilingual educators see every day — that language development and equity are intertwined.
Educators seeking to engage with these efforts need a foundation that blends literacy and social context. The online M.S. in Bilingual Education – Reading program from TAMIU is one example of how advanced academic preparation can align with the evolving demands of bilingual education, offering coursework focused on reading instruction and cultural responsiveness.
Supporting Student Needs Through Meaningful Practice
To support students in bilingual settings, teachers must shift from a one-size-fits-all mindset to one rooted in intentionality and advocacy. This effort begins with developing a deep understanding of how language acquisition connects to identity, especially for children navigating two or more cultures.
A key strategy is to embed language instruction within academic content, teaching vocabulary and grammar in the context of a science experiment or historical event rather than isolating it in language drills. Teachers can also design environments that normalize translanguaging, where students are allowed to draft essays in their home language before translating into English or to discuss math problems in Spanish before presenting in English.
As the field evolves, educators must be both practitioners and advocates, ready to uplift bilingual learners through responsive pedagogy, community connection and continuous learning. For those prepared to deepen their impact, the M.S. in Bilingual Education – Reading online program from TAMIU offers a path forward rooted in both theory and practice, preparing teachers to meet the moment and shape the future of multilingual learning.
Learn more about Texas A&M International University’s online M.S. in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Reading program.
