Which instructional approach effectively affirms students' biliteracy and biculturalism?

Creating a print-rich classroom environment that includes books in students' first language (L1) as well as in English is an effective way to affirm biliteracy and biculturalism. This approach values and supports students' linguistic backgrounds while fostering their English language development. By providing materials in both languages, students can see the connection between their home language and English, which enhances their understanding, boosts their confidence, and promotes a positive identity as bilingual individuals.

Such an environment encourages students to engage with texts at their comfort level, ensuring that they feel recognized and respected in their cultural and linguistic identities. This affirmation can lead to improved academic performance, as learners are more likely to thrive when their language and culture are incorporated into their educational experience.

In contrast, standardized testing, focusing only on English instruction, or limiting cultural displays to American traditions fail to recognize or value the diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds of ELL students, which can lead to feelings of exclusion and diminish their educational experience.