An Understanding of the Concept and Conditions of Bilingualism: A Study in an EFL Setting

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Published: Dec 1, 2009
Keywords:
bilingualism, additive, content based instruction, power, prestige, focus groups

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Sandra Patricia Lastra R.
Universidad del Tolima and Colegio San Bonifacio de las Lanzas, Ibagué

Abstract

This paper presents a study carried out at a private school that implemented a bilingual program more than a decade ago. The main aim of the project was to find out how the school community understands the concept of bilingualism and the conditions required to fulfill the goals of a bilingual curriculum at the school. Data were collected through surveys and focus groups made up of different members of the school community. The results showed that bilingualism is associated with a high intensification of English classes and the necessity of having English-speaking employees. Results also depict some theoretical issues about bilingualism and important conditions for implementing a bilingual program.

Article Details

How to Cite
Lastra R., S. P. (2009). An Understanding of the Concept and Conditions of Bilingualism: A Study in an EFL Setting. HOW Journal, 16(1), 167-187. Retrieved from https://howjournalcolombia.org/index.php/how/article/view/82
Issue
Vol 16 No 1 (2009): HOW
Section
Reflections and Revision of Themes
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Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The authors of the manuscripts accepted for publication in HOW journal are required to sign a nonexclusive license agreement allowing ASOCOPI to reproduce the full text on the Internet or in any other available source. Authors retain copyright of their manuscripts with the following restrictions: first publication is granted to ASOCOPI; nonexclusive agreements with third parties can be established as long as the original publication in the HOW journal is properly acknowledged.

Author Biography

Sandra Patricia Lastra R., Universidad del Tolima and Colegio San Bonifacio de las Lanzas, Ibagué

Sandra Patricia Lastra holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English teaching and a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics. She is currently a full time teacher at Universidad del Tolima and an academic advisor for the English area at Colegio San Bonifacio de las Lanzas in Ibagué, an intermediate size Colombian city.

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