Chapter Two Literature review

2。1 Definition of bilingual teaching

Before going on to the pros and cons of bilingual education, there should be a clear definition of what bilingual education is and what its implications are。 The bilingual education is teaching students knowledge by using the student's native and target language。 When it was first introduced in the United States, bilingual education was used to improve students’ limited English。 Students can learn more knowledge and get more extra skills。 They can understand English easily through bilingual teaching。 Also, their English will be improved。来,自,优.尔:论;文*网www.chuibin.com +QQ752018766-

The terms ‘bilingualism’ and ‘bilingual education’ appear frequently in literature。 However, there is a great deal of variation with regard to the meaning of these two terms (Hakuta, 1986)。 An inpidual who can speak two languages is usually considered bilingual。 Some authorities claim that a bilingual person must have native-like fluency in both languages (Bloomfield 1933)。 Others maintain that minimal competency in two languages is sufficient to be called bilingual (Haugen 1956; Diebold 1961)。 Hornby (1977) gives the following advice in hopes of resolving this issue: bilingualism is not all-or-none。 It is an inpidual characteristic that may exist the minimum ability of different degrees。 Because of its variation of meaning in different circles, bilingual education is another term requiring clarification。 The following is a commonly accepted definition of bilingual education:“Bilingual education” is the use of two languages as media of instruction for a child or a group of children in part or all of the school curriculum (Cohen 1975, p。 18)。 The basic definition of bilingual education generally agreed upon by both scholars and laypersons。 In other words, there is agreement regarding what the process of bilingual education is, but confusion arises when the philosophy and goals of bilingual education are discussed。