The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Bilingual education helps students learn English while increasing their confidence and academic performance

Brian Moline and Sydney Wood
 
Rousselyn Cruz, 8, goes through the Spanish phonetic alphabet with hand gestures on May 12 at Marion Elementary School in Overland. The 2021-22 school year marks the first year for the school’s second grade transitional bilingual classroom, where students learn core curriculum in both English and Spanish.

Rousselyn Cruz, 8, goes through the Spanish phonetic alphabet with hand gestures on May 12 at Marion Elementary School in Overland. The 2021-22 school year marks the first year for the school’s second grade transitional bilingual classroom, where students learn core curriculum in both English and Spanish. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio

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Friday, June 3, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • In a Thursday night debate between the four 13th Congressional district Republican candidates, agriculture was a major topic of discussion.

  • Two cultural events are planned in the city of Lincoln this month - even after the city council denied a request for financial help.

  • The six Republican candidates for Illinois governor took part in a debate last night, and fundraising leader Richard Irvin was the target of the other candidates.

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how a school in St. Louis is implementing bilingual education to benefit students who are learning English. The district administrators said the class has boosted students' confidence and academic performance.

217 Today is produced by Sydney Wood. Reporting today contributed by Harrison Malkin, Dave McKinney, Ryan Denham and Kate Grumke.