Expanding Bilingual Education in New Britain Schools
(New Britain, CT)-- On May 13, students from DiLoreto Dual Language Magnet School had a dance and music performance at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) with one clear purpose to be proud of one's cultural heritage and by removing masks the CCSU and DiLoreto students once had. The day included an aesthetic awareness performance by future Connecticut teachers and bilingual school children. The program had a total of 60 students from DiLoreto, 30 of which performed on May 13, while the others performed earlier in the year.
Teacher Education Associate Jacob Werblow of CCSU led the effort to helping New Britain middle school students express their strengths and understand the depths of bilingualism and language diversity at DiLoreto Magnet School. "The joy I get from seeing DiLoreto students teaching my students Spanish shows the importance of each and every one of these kids," Werblow said.
"The program helped me to express my feelings and be more confident in myself," said DiLoreto 8th grader Erika Ruiz, who was one of the 30 students who performed earlier in the year. "Never be scared to show your true colors, you should always show people who you really are by just being yourself," Ruiz said. The performers held masks they made, which resembled things they had been hiding. As each student took off their mask, they said something they had once remembered from their childhood.
As students of DiLoreto left to visit CCSU's planetarium a panel talked about being bilingual and why dual language programs work. DiLoreto Principal Marina Taverner-Perez said, "These students are my life and my light, I hope they are ready to leave DiLoreto, bilingual and ready to succeed in the future." Growing up and going to New Britain public school, Perez speaks three languages. "There is going to be a need for each and every one of my students to become bilingual teachers in the next 10 years," said Perez.
The depth of the partnership between CCSU's Teacher Education Department and the Consolidated School District of New Britain sent a strong message about not hiding behind a perceived image of who we all are.
English Language Learner and Bilingual Consultant Marie Salazar Glowski talked about how to build awareness in bilingual programs. "You have to teach these students at a young age and keep them excited and motivated in learning a new language and culture." With more partnerships with schools like CCSU and our state public schools, will only continue to develop the success of bilingual programs in the future," Glowski said.
Teacher Education Associate Jacob Werblow of CCSU led the effort to helping New Britain middle school students express their strengths and understand the depths of bilingualism and language diversity at DiLoreto Magnet School. "The joy I get from seeing DiLoreto students teaching my students Spanish shows the importance of each and every one of these kids," Werblow said.
"The program helped me to express my feelings and be more confident in myself," said DiLoreto 8th grader Erika Ruiz, who was one of the 30 students who performed earlier in the year. "Never be scared to show your true colors, you should always show people who you really are by just being yourself," Ruiz said. The performers held masks they made, which resembled things they had been hiding. As each student took off their mask, they said something they had once remembered from their childhood.
As students of DiLoreto left to visit CCSU's planetarium a panel talked about being bilingual and why dual language programs work. DiLoreto Principal Marina Taverner-Perez said, "These students are my life and my light, I hope they are ready to leave DiLoreto, bilingual and ready to succeed in the future." Growing up and going to New Britain public school, Perez speaks three languages. "There is going to be a need for each and every one of my students to become bilingual teachers in the next 10 years," said Perez.
The depth of the partnership between CCSU's Teacher Education Department and the Consolidated School District of New Britain sent a strong message about not hiding behind a perceived image of who we all are.
English Language Learner and Bilingual Consultant Marie Salazar Glowski talked about how to build awareness in bilingual programs. "You have to teach these students at a young age and keep them excited and motivated in learning a new language and culture." With more partnerships with schools like CCSU and our state public schools, will only continue to develop the success of bilingual programs in the future," Glowski said.
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