Bilingual Teaching

Bilingual teaching enables learners to acquire a new language by using their native language (L1).  It was proposed by C.J. Dodson of the University of Wales. It utilizes the child’s knowledge of a language to learn another one.

Advantages:

1. It is a psychologically sound method as it proceeds from known to unknown. 
2. Students become bilingual, bi-literate, and more culturally sensitive and aware.
3. The mastery of foreign language is deepened.
4. Being bilingual adds to the student development.
5. Less strenuous for teachers.
6. Sustains student interest.
7. Clarity in student understanding is ensured.
8. It helps to maintain native languages and cultures along with more global languages.

Disadvantages 

1. It can be difficult to staff bilingual schools with enough teachers that are native speakers of the second language 
2. The cost of introducing bilingualism in schools can be greater than an English only school because all materials have to be purchased in both languages. 
3. The likelihood of English being sidelined by the native language in classrooms is high. Classes may very well be handled in the native tongue only.