In more than a decade of teaching to elementary learners, I have come to a realization that across learning areas, ages, abilities, and disabilities, the Transitional Bilingual Approach is one of the most effective strategies. The TBA opens opportunities to bridge gap of language understanding among learners, which usually hinders learning acquisition across curriculum. Stipulated below are some of the studies around the world that would prove the effectiveness of TBA in teaching and learning.
Transitional bilingual education favorably improved English language learners’ reading comprehension abilities in the US (Collier & Thomas, 2019). The study also found that transitional bilingual training was more effective than English-only education in improving reading comprehension for English language learners.
The research conducted by López-Uclés & García-Gutiérrez (2022) clearly shows that the reading comprehension skills of English language learners (ELLs) in the US were significantly improved by a transitional bilingual approach. Additionally, the study discovered that ELLs who engaged in the transitional bilingual approach were more likely to use reading comprehension techniques on their own when they read.
Zhang and Bailey’s 2021 study shed light on the efficacy of a transitional bilingual approach in teaching English language learners (ELLs) in Canada reading comprehension. ELLs who used this method were notably more likely to develop strong reading comprehension abilities in English and their home language.
Cummins and Hornberger (2019) examined ELLs in Australia and found that a transitional bilingual technique positively impacted the students’ reading comprehension abilities. Additionally, individuals using this method also showed a higher probability of using reading comprehension skills independently when reading.
According to Gibbons and Snow (2020), English language learners in England could acquire reading comprehension through a transitional bilingual technique. Additionally, compared to children who received traditional reading instruction, the study indicated that students who engaged in the transitional bilingual technique had a higher chance of improving their reading comprehension skills.
According to Genesee & Paradis (2021), a transitional bilingual approach significantly improved the reading comprehension abilities of English language learners in Canada. Additionally, the study discovered that students who used the transitional bilingual strategy had a higher likelihood of using independent reading comprehension techniques.
English Language Learners’ (ELLs’) reading comprehension skills were considerably improved by adopting a reading comprehension intervention program inside a transitional bilingual framework, according to a study by García & Calderón (2021). Interestingly, participants in the transitional bilingual reading comprehension intervention program had a greater chance of independent application of reading comprehension methods when they were reading.
According to Thomas and Collier (2022), Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) is effective in raising English Language Learners’ (ELLs’) academic performance. The study also showed that TBE outperformed other bilingual education programs, like immersion programs, to raise ELLs’ academic achievement.
The beneficial effects of a transitional bilingual reading comprehension intervention program on the reading abilities of English language learners in Thailand were emphasized by Boonprakob and Thongprasert (2021). Additionally, the study showed that individuals who participated in the transitional bilingual reading comprehension intervention program were more likely to use methods for reading comprehension when they read on their own.
Promising outcomes were found when the effectiveness of the transitional bilingual program at Tawbuid Elementary School in Tanauan, Leyte, and Albacete (2018) was evaluated. The approach dramatically improved the reading comprehension of Grade 1 students in English by using Waray Waray, the students’ mother tongue.
In the Philippines and other international contexts, the Transitional Bilingual Strategy is a potent and culturally aware technique for enhancing English language learners’ reading comprehension abilities. Researches have shown time and time again how effective it is in helping bilingual learners with their reading comprehension and general academic success.
