What conclusion did Collier reach regarding bilingual education?

Collier's research emphasizes the importance of a child's first language (L1) in the process of acquiring a second language (L2). She concluded that a strong foundation in L1 is crucial for the successful acquisition of L2, as it helps learners make connections between languages, enhances cognitive development, and contributes to overall academic success. By understanding and utilizing their L1, learners can better comprehend and engage with new concepts in their L2, leading to more effective language acquisition.

This conclusion highlights that bilingual education should leverage the strengths of both languages, rather than treating them as entirely separate processes. In contrast, the other responses do not align with her findings: the notion that bilingual education is ineffective contradicts her evidence supporting its benefits, the idea that language proficiency is unimportant misrepresents the value of language skills in academic contexts, and the concept of learning L2 independently from L1 undermines the integral role that L1 plays in the learning process.