How Dual Language Programs Support Sociocultural Competence

The success of dual language programs is built on three key pillars: bilingualism and biliteracy, high academic achievement, and sociocultural competence. While the first two pillars are often emphasized because they are easier to measure, sociocultural competence can sometimes be overlooked because it’s more difficult to quantify.

Language and culture are inseparable; Through dual language education, students and staff learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and experiences. Ultimately, these programs don’t just drive academic success—they help students become thoughtful and culturally aware critical thinkers who can contribute meaningfully to a global society.

What Is Sociocultural Competence and How Does It Benefit Students?

Sociocultural competence refers to a student’s development of identity, cross-cultural understanding, and genuine appreciation for multicultural diversity. Whether through classroom lessons or interactions with native speakers—such as international teachers—students gain a deeper understanding of different worldviews through the process of learning a new language and being introduced to the cultures of the regions where the language is spoken.

Below are several key advantages of sociocultural competence for students and tips on how to cultivate it in your school:

1. Encourages Cultural Understanding

Immersing students in diverse cultures through dual language programs helps them develop empathy and appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Developing these skills and perspectives encourages more cultural awareness and can help to reduce biases.

2. Develops Cultural Identity

While promoting cross-cultural awareness for all students, dual language programs also help students better understand their own cultural heritage. This allows students to develop a deeper understanding of their own identity while also respecting those of others.  

3. Develops Cognitive and Social Skills

Learning another language and engaging with different cultures sharpens critical thinking and communication skills. By navigating cultural dynamics, students can improve their ability to understand and effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

4. Prepares Students for a Global Society

As the world continues to become more and more interconnected, sociocultural competence helps students develop the skills needed to thrive in a global workforce—such as critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills. This allows them to become adaptable and compassionate global citizens.

Implementing a dual language program comes with planning challenges. Our ebook Building a Bilingual Education Program offers valuable information to guide schools through these challenges.

Tips for Developing Sociocultural Competence

Teachers play an important role in helping students become more socioculturally competent in the classroom. By using multiethnic and multicultural curricular materials, teaching with equity in mind, and designing learning activities that promote fairness, educators can help students develop more diverse perspectives.

Below are several practical strategies for fostering more sociocultural competence in the classroom:

Find Teachable Moments

When disagreements from misunderstandings about different viewpoints or beliefs arise between students, use these moments to facilitate restorative conversations. Help students recognize that differing opinions are okay, and emphasize the importance of respecting one another.

Weave in Discussion Prompts During Morning Meetings

Incorporating activities, scenarios, role-plays, and discussion prompts centered on aspects of sociocultural competence into morning meetings encourages empathy, perspective shifts, and respect for diversity. These are important topics to teach and reinforce at any age.

Use Simulations and Games

Interactive simulations and games can be a fun way to teach and reinforce intercultural competencies. Consider using resources from this intercultural simulation resource list from CARLA or this intercultural learning classroom activities guide to find ideas that fit your students.

Conduct Interactive Read-Alouds

In addition to modeling fluency, expression, intonation, and comprehension strategies, read-alouds are an effective way to develop valuable social and emotional skills. Select texts that introduce students to different cultures, along with perspectives and feature characters who experience something different from your students’ experiences.

Model Sociocultural Competence

As the classroom teacher, you serve as a model for sociocultural competence through your daily interactions. Consistently demonstrate empathy, open-mindedness, intercultural understanding, and reflection. By “walking the walk” in addition to “talking the talk,” you open the opportunity for students to adopt these traits as well.

Promote Responsible Risk Taking

In order to develop sociocultural competence, it’s important to encourage students to be willing to take risks and make mistakes. As the classroom teacher, you set the tone for your classroom environment.

Work to ensure that your classroom is a trusting, mutually respectful place where students feel comfortable stepping outside of their comfort zones to cultivate an understanding of others’ perspectives, values, and experiences. Also, make sure that they know it’s okay to make mistakes as they learn. 

Take Bilingual Education to the Next Level

Learning about different cultures and developing an appreciation for them helps students become critical thinkers who succeed in the classroom and become meaningful contributors to a global society.

To ensure that your dual language education program is setting your students up for success, our Dual Language Mastery Program offers four distinct frameworks that are crafted for leaders and teachers at different stages of their dual language education journey.

Find out if our program is right for you: