Two-way bilingual education programs and sense of belonging: perspectives from middle school students

This exploratory study examined the experiences of middle school students in an urban two-way bilingual education (TWBE) program. Through the lens of students' sense of belonging, the study examined how middle school students described their experiences being enrolled in a TWBE program at the primary and secondary level. Data sources included a survey (n = 68) and six small group interviews with twenty middle school students. Using four dimensions of belonging (relationships, place, agency, and inclusion) to analyze the data, the study found that students experienced a sense of belonging through a culture of care, peer relationships, and community-building activities. Translanguaging practices supported students' identities as bilinguals and were a way to include students whose language proficiency was still in the emerging stages. Strong TWBE program cohesion appeared to positively mediate the transition from primary to secondary school. However, students experienced monolingual attitudes and ideologies outside the program, undermining their sense of belonging in school. The study concludes that TWBE programs are uniquely situated to engage in practices that support students' sense of belonging and, through these practices, create, open up, and sustain identity options for bilingual learners in middle school.