Home – School Communication Template

At the beginning of the school year, teachers may want to send home a letter explaining features of the dual language program or post information on a secure web site for parents and teachers to access. Click here for a template you can use as a resource for preparing a program description for parents and guardians.

The Q&A document for parents is another resource for the beginning-of-year letter to parents and guardians. Some additional suggestions follow:

Explain that students will be taking standardized tests during the year, and list them. These might include language proficiency tests, reading tests, and tests in the content areas (math, science, social studies). If students will be tested in English after they have received instruction in the other program language, explain how they will be prepared to take the test in English. Be sure to explain that once students understand a concept in one language, they do not need to re-learn the concept in the other language. Also refer parents to the district’s testing calendar, if it is available.
Suggest how parents can help students read or do homework in their second language. (See Question #9 in the section on parents’ questions about TWI programs.) This is especially helpful for families in which no one is proficient in that language.
Suggest reading lists and reference materials (e.g., monolingual or bilingual dictionaries) for students to have at home.
List cultural activities and resources in your area at which students and families can use the partner language.