The American School of Bahrain (ASB) has introduced an innovative Dual Language Program, designed to enrich early childhood education by immersing students in both Arabic and English learning. To delve into the details of this initiative and the impact it would create for young learners, we sat down with Dave McMaster, Founding Director of ASB, and Dana BuQais, Pre-KG Teacher, to discuss how this program not only differs from traditional curricula but also promises to provide significant advantages for young learners. Through this interview, they shed light on the program’s unique approach, its benefits for students and parents, and the future of dual language education at ASB.
Dave: As is with ASB’s traditional Early Childhood Program, where we focus on engaging students through inquiry-based learning, the Dual Language Program follows the same approach, encouraging them to actively explore their passions. The key advantage of the Dual Language approach is as its name suggests – from a crucial developmental stage at three to four years old, students learn everything in both Arabic and English. This occurs in a natural, supportive environment where there’s no pressure or preference for either language, fostering a seamless and holistic learning experience in both languages simultaneously.
Dave: We launched the program in direct alignment with our mission at ASB—to continuously seek improvement and challenge the status quo. As we enter our fifth year as a school, we’ve introduced several impactful programs, and now, it’s an exciting moment to introduce a program that will shape the learning experiences of three-year-olds who will graduate in 15 years. Starting their learning journey with a dual language approach enables students to fluently process information in two languages, preparing them comprehensively for the future.
Just like any program we’ve introduced at our school—whether it was the initial adoption of US Common Core, followed by IB, and later Head Start—we approach each initiative through research and preparation. We owe it to our parents to fully understand what we’re implementing. We spent a lot of time looking at the Dual Language Program. My hope for it is that it will be tremendously popular and a game changer for our students. However, we are committed to rolling it out thoughtfully and organically. We have strong support from our board and parents who recognize the importance of taking things one step at a time. We believe this program will be a great success, given its current high demand.
Dana: The program offers numerous benefits, such as enhanced cognitive flexibility, enabling children to utilize both sides of their brain effectively in decision-making. Improved problem-solving skills are another advantage that will serve them well throughout their lives. Moreover, the dual language approach fosters greater cultural awareness, allowing children to immerse themselves in and understand different cultures as they progress through their educational journey.
Dana: A typical day for a Pre-KG child starts with entering the classroom and greeting both teachers and friends in both languages. Throughout the day, activities such as story time, and interactive lessons in science, math, and literacy are conducted in both languages simultaneously. This immersive environment allows children to experience everything they would in a traditional English-only setting but with the added benefit of learning and engaging in both Arabic and English throughout their daily activities.
Dana: We use various visual aids during educational moments with the children such as storytelling, songs, and games to make language learning engaging and enjoyable. Creating a supportive environment is crucial. So, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere where children feel safe, happy, and motivated to learn encourages their active participation and overall well-being in their learning journey at school.
