You’ve heard the phrase before—“Create a bilingual space.” Maybeit came from your instructional coach, your district's dual-language
coordinator, or during a PD session. But when the classroom door closes and
it’s just you and your students, what does that look like?
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a classroom environment where twolanguages truly thrive, you’re not alone. Many dual-language teachers are eager to support bilingualism but aren’t given clear, actionable steps on how to
bring this vision to life. So, let’s dig into what a bilingual space really
means—and how you can make it a reality.
A Bilingual Space Is More Than TwoLanguages on the Wall
In a true bilingual space, both languages (usually English and the partner language—Spanish, Mandarin, etc.) aren’t just present—they’re integrated.That means students are encouraged to use both languages as tools for learning, expression, and exploration.
It’s not about having an English corner and a Spanish corner. It’s notabout switching languages at a set time and locking the other one away. It’s
about giving students the freedom and support to move fluidly between
languages—to read in one, write in another, and think in both.
In other words, it’s not just about bilingual resources—it’s aboutbilingual practice.
Translanguaging: Letting Students Use All Their Language Resources
One key element of a bilingual space is translanguaging. According to Dr. Ofelia Garcia, translanguaging is a strategy allows students to draw from their entirelinguistic repertoire to process ideas, solve problems, and make meaning. A student might brainstorm in Spanish, write a draft in English, and present bilingually—and that’s a strength, not a shortcut.
Here’s what translanguaging might look like in action:
A class reads a text in Spanish, then discusses it in both Spanish and English.
- Students take notes in their stronger language, then use those notes to write in the other.
- You allow students to respond to questions in the language that helps them think most clearly—even if it’s not the language of instruction that day.
- When used strategically, translanguaging deepens understanding and boostsconfidence—especially for emerging bilinguals.
The Bridge: Where Both Languages Meet
Dual-language experts María Beeman and Cheryl Urow offer a powerfulframework in their book Teaching for Biliteracy. They introduce the concept of TheBridge, a deliberate instructional moment where both languages cometogether to compare, connect, and transfer knowledge.
The Bridge is where your students compare how vocabulary, grammar, and structures work in both languages.
- Transfer key academic terms from one language to the other.
- Develop metalinguistic awareness—the ability to think about how language works.
- And here’s the most important part: The Bridge goes both ways.It’s not just Spanish → English. It’s also English → Spanish. This two-way
transfer honors the value of both languages and builds biliteracy from both directions.
Practical Tips for Building a Bilingual Space
A bilingual space doesn’t mean overhauling your entire teachingapproach. Here are some practical steps to get started:
✅ Model fluid language use
Let students hear how bilingual adults move naturally between languages.
Narrate your thinking across languages or share how you switch based on
audience or purpose.
✅ Value students' home language use
Affirm when students use their home language to clarify a concept or express an
idea. Encourage it, rather than correcting or redirecting right away.
✅ Make time for The Bridge
Plan specific moments in your week to compare and connect the two languages. Anchor this in content you’ve already taught—this isn’t reteaching, it’s building on learning.
✅ Use bilingual materials intentionally. Offer books, anchor charts, and tools in both languages. But more importantly,invite students to use them actively. For example, compare how a graphic organizer works in English vs. Spanish.
✅ Create shared language routines
Build routines that invite both languages into classroom life—like bilingual
partner chats, journal reflections, or vocabulary sorts across languages.
Why It Matters
A bilingual space helps students become not just bilingual, but biliterate—ableto read, write, and think critically in two languages. It also builds culturalpride, promotes equity, and prepares students for a multilingual world.
Most importantly, when you create a classroom that honors and integratesboth languages, you’re telling your students: Your full self belongs here.
Start Where You Are
Building a bilingual space isn’t about doing everything at once. Startwith one strategy—maybe a weekly Bridge activity or more flexible language use
during small-group work—and build from there.
Your students don’t need perfection. They need intention. And when youcreate space for both their languages to shine, you create space for them to thrive.
🌱 Reflection for Planning
1. Which parts of my classroom environment already support a bilingualspace?
Think about student talk, anchor charts, read-alouds, and small-group
interactions.
2. Where do I tend to separate languages, and why?
Is it due to scheduling, curriculum constraints, or habit? Could one of thoseboundaries be softened?
3. What is one intentional change I can make to support fluid bilingual language use?
This could be a small routine, a new anchor chart, or allowing more student choice in language use.
4. How might I introduce or strengthen the use of The Bridge in my weekly planning?
Think about how you might make language transfer more visible and meaningful for your students.
By embracing the concept of a bilingual space, you empower your students to navigate and celebrate their linguistic and cultural worlds with confidence. Small, thoughtful steps can lead to transformative outcomes, fostering a classroom where all students feel valued and capable. Remember, the
goal is not just to teach languages, but to nurture identities, connections,
and lifelong skills that will serve your students in a diverse and interconnected world.
