Portland’s Vietnamese Dual Language Program

Portland Public Schools is home to several dual-language programs, including Mandarin, Spanish and Japanese. This year, 2014-2015, is the inaugural year of the Vietnamese Dual-Language program, beginning with the kindergarten class and adding a class with each year. Students received education in the content areas in both English and Vietnamese, as well as language support in the latter. This effort was made possible in part by Portland Public Schools, the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), and the Vietnamese Community of Oregon (VNCO).

With a rare opportunity to geek out about bilingual education on APA Compass for KBOO Community Radio, I met with Michael Bacon: Assistant Director of Dual Language programs at PPS, Kim Le: immigration lawyer and a parent whose child is in the program, and Joseph Santos-Lyons: Executive Director of APANO, to learn more about the program and why dual language programs are highly beneficial for our students!

Check out the podcast!

Air date: 11/7/2014