What advantage does a bilingual program have over an ESL program for students?

A bilingual program offers the significant advantage of promoting the development of a student's native language, which is essential for cognitive growth, cultural identity, and academic success. By maintaining and enhancing proficiency in the native language, students can benefit from a deeper understanding of linguistic structures that can facilitate learning in both their native and second languages.

In a bilingual program, the instruction typically occurs in both the native language and the target language. This approach not only helps students become proficient in English but also affirms their cultural identity and values, which is crucial for their self-esteem and academic engagement. Being fluent in their native language can also support academic achievement, as students who read and write proficiently in their native language have a better foundation for learning additional languages.

The other options presented do not accurately capture the strengths of a bilingual program compared to ESL. While distraction, parental involvement, and focus on standard English are important considerations in language education, they do not address the core advantage of bilingual instruction in fostering language development and supporting students' overall educational experience.