International Journal of Bilingual
Education and Bilingualism
Editor: Colin Baker, University of Wales, Bangor
Review Editor: Aneta Pavlenko, Temple University, Philadelpia
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Volume: 5 Number: 1 Page: 58–71
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Russian Bilingual Science Learning: Perspectives from Secondary Students
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Nancy Lemberger
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Bilingual education rests on the theory that information and knowledge acquired in the native language is transferable across languages. Literacy skills learned in one language facilitate learning in a
second language. This study describes one secondary Russian/English bilingual science teacher's practice and her literate students' experiences as they learn science and adapt to a foreign school. Through
questionnaires and group interview data, 70 students evaluated their literacy skills, the teaching methods, activities, and materials which helped them learn science content in English. Results indicate
that students' well developed reading and writing skills coupled with bilingual instruction helped them maintain and build on their prior science learning to eventually pass required exams in English. Implications
are made for supporting literacy and content skills for student achievement.
© Multilingual Matters 2002
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