What does a balanced literacy classroom look like?

A balanced literacy approach is a psychologically-sound approach to language education that balances explicit language instruction with independent study. In other words, while the teacher is still the primary provider of information, students are also encouraged to explore the language through various means. This helps restructure the cognitive framework of the students to interpret information in the new language without necessarily using their own language as a crutch on which to lean.

Skillful teachers understand when to intervene with literacy instruction and when to let the students explore the new language through reading, writing, and listening. This way, they can effectively scaffold literacy education and help optimize the learning outcomes for students.