Teacher Roberta de Sousa teaches English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) at Reiche Elementary School. She noticed over the years that Portuguese-speaking students would stop progressing academically in their Portuguese literacy abilities as their English language skills developed. Now — knowing that research shows that being bilingual not only improves students’ academic outcomes but leads to better cross-cultural understanding and opportunities in today’s global world — de Sousa is leading a new initiative at Reiche this year: teaching an ESOL class that focuses on both academic English and academic Portuguese to further accelerate students’ language acquisition in both languages.

“Many teachers use students' first language to help develop English, but the vision behind this new class is to take things a few steps further,” said de Sousa, who is multilingual.

A group of fourth- and fifth-graders Portuguese speakers are attending this bilingual ESOL class, which is 45 minutes long and conducted in about 50 percent Portuguese and 50 percent English.

“In this bilingual class both languages are the main academic focus and materials are provided for students in both languages," de Sousa explained. "Students might read a text in English from the ‘Our World Curriculum,’ then read the same text in Portuguese. The vocabulary and grammar are explicitly taught in both languages and discussions go seamlessly back and forth between the two languages. Similarities and differences between the two languages are often highlighted and discussed.”

Students are responding well to the class, de Sousa said. She said one student told her: "I like this class because sometimes I don't know the words in English, but I can say it in Portuguese and the teacher helps me. I also like that I was starting to forget things in Portuguese last year, but now I remember."

Another student said, "I can just be myself and talk in my languages and everyone understands me."

She also has found that students behave better and are much more engaged when part of this bilingual class, de Sousa said. In addition, she said, their parents have been very supportive as they receive frequent updates of the work done in the class.

Research consistently indicates that bilingual instruction in students' languages can lead to better academic outcomes and foster cross-cultural understanding and belonging.

The Portland Public Schools is not only Maine’s largest school district but also its most diverse. Currently, PPS students and their families speak 61 different languages — with Portuguese the most commonly spoken language after English.

The district considers its linguistic diversity an asset, which is why the district initiated its own Seal of Biliteracy award in 2018, the first in Maine to do so. Graduating seniors receive the Seal of Biliteracy in recognition of their having attained proficiency in English and at least one other language. The state of Maine also began offering such a seal in 2019. The Seal of Biliteracy is a statement of accomplishment that students can share with colleges and universities for admissions and with future employers.